A native Saint Martiner who has made a name for herself in the politics of this two-nation island. In her political career she has served as  member of the Executive Council of the island territory of Sint Maarten from 1991 to 1993, from 1995 to 1997 and for the 4-year terms 1999 – 2003 and 2003-2007. She leads the Democratic Party of Sint Maarten since 1994 and served as  opposition leader for 2 years, returning her party to victory in 1999, in 2003 and again in 2007. She is the first female on St. Maarten to lead a major political party and has served as member of the Island Legislative Council since 1995. In this capacity, she chaired   the Permanent Commission for Constitutional Affairs of the legislature.

On a Netherlands Antillean level, she was a member of Parliament from March 26, 1998 thru June 31, 1999.

The realization by the Government of the Dutch Kingdom that a status change for the island of St. Maarten is inevitable, must be credited to her unrelenting drive for recognition of the Constitutional referendum on St. Maarten of June 23rd, 2000.

She can look back on a long and distinguished public career spanning more than 35 years. Prior to assuming political office, she headed the island’s Financial Department  and was Deputy Island Secretary from 1985 until 1991 when she was appointed member of the Executive Council. Her public career was started in the area of tourism.

She complements her experience in Public Service, with an Honor’s Associate Degree in Business and Finance, a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, and a Master’s in Public Administration, suma cum laude from La Salle University, USA.

In the area of youth, she was a member of the early YMCA on St. Maarten, member of the Olympiad sports committee, and has served in numerous organizations.  As a former union advisor, she occupied herself primarily with women’s issues. She currently chairs the Foundation Computers in Education on Sint Maarten, with its goal of promoting computer literacy throughout the  school system.

She exemplifies  the true nature of the Sint Maarten people, good natured, some would say easy-going, but at the same time resourceful and relentless in pursuit of opportunities for her island nation. She is one of the Strong Women of the Dutch kingdom, was voted one of St. Maarten heroes, received the Key to the City of Tallahassee and was recognized as a Woman of Great Esteem in the city of New York.  

Until June 8th of 2009 , she  was in charge of the portfolios of Education, Aviation, Women’s Affairs, General and Constitutional Affairs, Telecommunications and Labor and Social Affairs.

She was opposition leader until October 5th 2010.

On October 10, 2010, she was appointed as the first Prime Minister of the Country Sint Maarten and is responsible for the portfolio of General Affairs.

The Caribbean women’s magazine SHE described her as

 “the Woman who fathered a nation”

 and in the words of the Publisher/CEO of New York’s Carib News newspaper, Carl Rodney:

“A Phenomenal Woman…………………………….”