Anette Thomas Sanford

Anette Thomas Sanford made history in 2024 as the first female Kalinago Chief, a groundbreaking achievement in nearly 400 years of Kalinago leadership. Born in April 1983 in Sineku, she was one of eight children in a farming family. Despite the early loss of her mother, Anette pursued education passionately. She attended the Salybia Primary School and then the Dominica State College, earning an associate degree in nursing and later studied health administration at St. Lawrence College in Ontario, Canada.

Anette Sanford’s Career

Her career began as a registered nurse, working at Dominica’s Princess Margaret Hospital and dedicating much of her time to healthcare. In 2020, she ventured into politics and became the first Kalinago woman to serve as a Senator in Dominica’s Parliament, representing the United Workers’ Party (UWP). Anette contested the Salybia Constituency in the 2019 general elections but lost to the incumbent. She also co-founded Kibé kuati, an NGO focused on community development in the Kalinago Territory.

In her personal life, Anette is married to Claudius Sanford, a prominent Kalinago figure. They have a family and share a deep commitment to improving the lives of the Kalinago people. Her historic victory as Kalinago Chief in July 2024, where she won by a significant margin, cemented her role as a leader focused on unity, cultural pride, and development.