Ruth Blackman
{{Short description|Politician from Turks and Caicos}}
Ruth Blackman is British politician and civil servant, who is Member of Parliament for South Caicos, in the Turks and Caicos Islands.{{Cite web |title=Turks and Caicos Election 2016 {{!}} Electoral Districts |url=http://caribbeanelections.com/tc/districts/district03.asp |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=caribbeanelections.com}} Her political career began as Clerk of the Executive Council and Legislative Council in 1978.{{Cite web |title=Governor Tauwhare had the final says, says Hon. Ruth Blackman |url=https://suntci.com/governor-tauwhare-had-the-final-says-says-hon-ruth-blackman-p2312-106.htm |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=suntci.com}} She remained in that role until 1995, when the councils split; Blackman then continued to work for the Legislative Council until 2007.{{Cite web |title=Turks and Caicos Weekly News |url=https://tcweeklynews.com/ruth-celebrates-years-in-the-civil-service-p1242-85.htm |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=tcweeklynews.com}} In 2006 she was the first person to be appointed to the role of Cabinet Secretary. She retired from the Civil Service in 2009.
In 2012, she was appointed to the Turks and Caicos House of Assembly, alongside Clarence Selver.{{Cite web |date=2012-11-27 |title=Turks and Caicos Governor Appoints Final Two Members to House of Assembly |url=https://www.caribjournal.com/2012/11/27/turks-and-caicos-governor-appoints-final-two-members-to-house-of-assembly/ |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=Caribbean Journal |language=en}} In the 2016 general election, she was elected as the Member of Parliament for South Caicos with 45.77% of the vote, representing the Progressive National Party. In 2017 she held the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.{{Cite web |date=2017-07-31 |title=Youth to be vital part of CARIFESTA |url=https://today.caricom.org/2017/07/31/youth-to-be-vital-part-of-carifesta/ |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=CARICOM Today |language=en-US}}
Blackman has also presented current affaires programmes for Radio Turks and Caicos.{{Cite web |title=Ruth Blackman in controversial separation from RTC |url=https://suntci.com/ruth-blackman-in-controversial-separation-from-rtc-p340-106.htm |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=suntci.com}} She is from Grand Turk and her father was James Alexander George Smith McCartney, first Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos.{{Cite web |author=|title=Radio Turks & Caicos - Ruth Blackman |url=https://www.rtc107fm.com/first-national-hero/item/12131-ruth-blackman.html |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=www.rtc107fm.com |language=en-gb}}