Elenora Petra Bernard was born on May 19, 1945, in San Juan, a town that is situated on the twin island of Trinidad and Tobago. At the age of 16 Bernard migrated to the land of opportunities after receiving assistance from a family member. Bernard went on to graduate from Brooklyn College in NYC and then completed her master’s degree at Fordham University. Bernard was renowned for years of service in Brooklyn’s socio-political circles and has earned her spot in the heart of the Brooklyn Community.
Bernard fought fiercely for minority groups, especially in the construction industry, where many of them had found employment.
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She was reportedly among the first tiny group of, black female contractors in New York at one point.
In so doing, Bernard was not only respected by those for whom she advocated but also by politicians, other top public officials, social activists, and community leaders.
It has been more than a year after Bernard at age 78, was attacked in her New York home at East 45th Street, by a former male worker, the reports stated that the attacker called the ambulance. Bernard took her last breath on July 23, 2022, the man responsible for Bernard’s death was charged with second-degree murder by asphyxiation. As a permanent tribute to her effort and legacy, a street has been dedicated in her honor.
The Bernard and Edwards families worked with Farah Louis, a member of the New York City Council, to arrange the Wake ceremony, which took place on August 5.
The event took place in Flatbush, Brooklyn, near the intersection of Church Avenue and East 45th Street after a service at the God Battalion Church on Linden Boulevard.
Prominent politicians were present, including Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and Leticia James, the attorney general of New York State, both of whom gave speeches. Politicians Kevin Parker, Nick Perry, Jamali Williams, Attorney General Letitia Adams, as well as New York Mayor Eric Adams, attended her funeral service.
Her brother, Dr. Lennox Bernard, a former independent senator, informed the media that his late sister was always inclined to activism and politics.
“My sister was a political animal from an early age,” he shared.
Even after she had migrated to the United States, Dr. Bernard strongly recalled, “She had to be briefed about T&T’s politics.
“She read the writings of Eric Williams (T&T’s} first Prime Minister), CLR James, and kept abreast of the political development in what she called the homeland.”
The mother of two seems preoccupied with the issue of empowering and encouraging diversity within black communities, but she gave particular attention to female business contractors.
He thinks that her goal was to reach out to individuals who felt abandoned by society.
He said that she largely succeeded in carrying out her purpose and received positive feedback from those whose lives she impacted.
But he thinks that what caused her to pass away was her love for and faith in other people.
“She offered help to the weary but in the end, it was abused.”
Her brother, who resigned from his position as director of the University of the West Indies Open Campus, expressed his shock at her untimely passing.
“She did not deserve to die in that manner.”
He proceeded by saying that his sister had resisted the idea of retiring and had kept working into her mid-70s, earning contracts. According to him, she had collaborated with her son Khari Edwards, who was running for borough president.
But he said that his sister looked to be suffering from dementia at the time of her death.
“I felt guilty that I had not provided greater comfort and care to her. We shared the usual jokes and picong but I could have done more.”
Bernard’s son Khari Edwards noted in his mother’s eulogy that his mother began a career in public service, serving under former mayor John Lindsay.
He said that her eloquence and keen sense of civic duty allowed her to participate in Brooklyn’s community-based activities.
She started exchanging views on matters of urban redevelopment and development with the political directorate.
Horace Morancie, who was from south Trinidad, was believed to have recognized her abilities and included her in the Model Cities urban effort.
Later, Bernard entered the private sector and was one of Brooklyn’s first female small business contractors.
In addition to working long hours to acquire her MBA at Fordham University, Khari said that she also spent her days cultivating leaders in the human resources division of the Health & Hospitals Corporation.
Her actual love, however—construction—would begin when she took the helm as executive vice-president of Episcopal Health Services.
Khari claimed that his mother witnessed the realization of her dream to serve minority populations while supervising the construction of Bedford Stuyvesant’s Bishop Hucles Nursing Home.
In addition to constructing the cutting-edge facility for the neighborhood, Bernard fought for possibilities for individuals who were previously excluded from the construction sector.
Construction, according to Khari, brought Bernard to numerous locations over the years, where she built a significant network and a name for herself as a community leader and businesswoman dedicated to helping women- and minority-owned enterprises.
Her home served as a gathering place for some of our most important leaders of the 1970s and 1980s, including council members Una Clarke, Priscilla Wooten, and Al Vann, as well as members of other social and political organizations. This love and passion drove her involvement.
Despite having lived in the US for most of her life, according to her brother, she remained a “Trini to the bone.”
He remembers how frequently she brought many guests to Carnival.
“We looked forward to her yearly excursion for Carnival with a large entourage of her friends and colleagues.”
Strangely, he claimed, Bernard did not play mas but instead liked to stroll along the streets, “finding joy and laughter in meeting vendors, old schoolmates, and friends in politics.”
He claimed that his sister assisted numerous T&T nationals in having “gained a footing” in the US and was revered by veteran calypsonian Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco).
He said that his sister’s youthful appearance and “Trini” dialect had persisted until her passing.
“At age 70, she looked no older than 55 and loved to boast about it.”
He thinks that she is proud of her Trini ancestry, which is shown in her Trini accent.
“She loved our humor, our music, and our food.”
Bernard adored the idea of being a family, he claimed.
“She loved family and reached out to them using some of her political influence to gain them entry to the US. She was also feisty as it related to disrespect and discrimination of any kind.”
