She featured prominently in the media here when as a Minister in the British Government, she was a member of the entourage of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, when he visited Guyana in February 2000.

Born in the little village of Dry Shore on the Essequibo Coast, the Baroness relocated with her parents Michael and Eunice Amos, both teachers, to the island of Wakenaam in the Essequibo River, where she grew she up and had her formative education at San Souci Methodist School, then managed by the Methodist Church.

In 1963, at age nine, Baroness Amos migrated with her parents and the rest of the family to London.

She created history in Britain on October 23, 1997, when she became the first Black woman to be introduced in the House of Lords.

She studied at the universities of Warwick, Birmingham and East Anglia and was awarded a Honorary Professorship at Thames Valley University in 1995 in recognition of her work on equality and social justice.

After working in Equal Opportunities, Training and Management Services in Local Government in the London boroughs of Lambeth, Camden and Hackney, she became Chief Executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission 1989-94.

In 1995, Valerie Amos co-founded Amos Fraser Bernard and was adviser to the South African Government on public service reform, human rights and employment equity.

Amos was contacted by Prime Minister Tony Blair's residence and office with an offer to enter the House of Lords.