Anya Williams, Governor of Turks and Caicos Islands (Gov.TC Email)
Women and Adversity:
Anya Williams
Governor of Turks and Caicos
My husband and I recently returned from a Caribbean cruise where one of the ports was Grand Turk Island, a place we had never visited. The guide on our around-the-island tour mentioned several times that Anya Williams was the governor of Turks and Caicos Islands. I wondered why he mentioned that fact numerous times, so I decided to investigate and feature her on my blog.
It turns out that Williams is the first woman to hold the post of governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and she is a native of Grand Turk Island. The Turks and Caicos Island group is a territory of the United Kingdom and lies north of the Hispaniola, which is Dominican Republic and Haiti, and southeast of the Bahamas. It’s basically in the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Caribbean Sea. Cockburn Town on Grand Turk is the seat of government, and the guide pointed out that building as well.
Williams was installed as governor on March 29, but June 29 British lawyer Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, current governor of Anguilla, will replace her, so Williams’ term has only been three months. The British appoint governors of their territories. She will probably return to the deputy governor position.
The islands are so proud to have one of their own as their leader, and Williams has an impressive resume.
Williams bio:
Born October 8, 1980 on Grand Turk Island
Daughter of Pastors Dennis and Deborah Swann
Associate degree in English law and accounting from Barbados Community College
Bachelor of science and master of science degrees in accounting from Florida International University, Miami, Florida
Beta Gamma Sigma honor society, 3.9 grade point average
Political Career:
2003 – 2012 – Joined the Turks and Caicos Islands public service as budget director and then became the permanent secretary of finance. “Finance is one of my passions,” she says.
October 15, 2012 – March 28, 2023 – Deputy Governor. While deputy governor, she served as acting governor for 885 days while the governor was out of the country.
March 29 – June 29 -Governor of Turks and Caicos Islands
2018 – Recommended for Queen’s Birthday Honors, granting her a Member of the Order of the British Empire
Personal life:
Married to Darren Williams
Three children: Darius, 20; Cassandra, 14; Brooke, 9
Learn more about Anya Williams:
The rise to the position of Deputy Governor in the Turks and Caicos Islands – Hon. Anya Williams – YouTube
https://www.britannica.com/place/Turks-and-Caicos-Islands
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38679913
My ebooks available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com:
Honoring 23 Black Women, Recognizing 23 Notable Mothers, Saluting 23 Faithful Suffragists
