Rhoda Arrindell

Rhoda Arrindell was born in Curacao and raised in St. Martin, a Caribbean territory colonized by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of France. She holds a BA in linguistics from Syracuse University (NY), a pre-law diploma (propaedeuse) from the University of the Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), an MAEd in administration from the University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), and a PhD in English linguistics, with a specialization in Caribbean languages, from the University of Puerto Rico (Rio Piedras). From 2010 – 2012, she served as St. Martin’s first Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs in the UP/DP coalition government. Since leaving office, she has served as an independent education consultant while teaching in higher education. She published her “groundbreaking” book, Language, Culture, and Identity in St. Martin, in 2014 and has just completed the manuscript for her second book, How to Get a World-Class Education: From St. Martin. She currently teaches Introduction to Caribbean Literature and Women in Literature at Howard University and serves as the President of the Caribbean Studies Association. She is also founder and president of the One St. Martin (SXM) Association and has committed her life to pursuing reparatory justice for the people of St. Martin, the Caribbean, and the Diaspora.