PRESS RELEASE (Sept. 14, 2020) — She is humble. She is committed. She is competent. She is Dr. Janice Daniel-Hodge, the newly elected Leader of the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP), the first female to hold that post.
Dr. Daniel-Hodge’s new post took effect late Sunday night at the NRP’s Convention. She, along with Hon. Cleone Stapleton-Simmonds – Deputy Leader, Hensley Daniel – Chairman, Llewellyn Parris – Deputy Chairman, Dr. Andrea Bussue – 2nd Vice President, Virgil Browne – Party Organiser, Sharon Hobson – Treasurer, Tammy Farrell – Assistant Treasurer, Devonne Cornelius – Public Relations Officer, Shirletta Byron – Secretary General and Patricia Jeffers – Assistant Secretary General, comprise the party’s new executive.
In her address to the enthusiastic gathering, Dr. Daniel-Hodge lauded the work of her colleague, Hon. Stapleton-Simmonds, who was also her competitor for the post of Party Leader. She said, while gazing in the direction of her colleague, “Hon. Cleone Stapleton-Simmonds, I am convinced that with your skillset to complement the ones that I bring to the table, NRP is in a great place” adding that “the change that NRP members have been asking for began with your victory at the polls to be the first female representative for St. Thomas’ also the first elected female representative of NRP. The wave of change through NRP continues today.”
While speaking of her reason for entering the political arena, Dr. Daniel-Hodge reflected on the principles of inclusivity, integrity, innovation and industry, which she said represented the foundation on which the party started 50 years ago.
Dr. Daniel-Hodge is a well-established businesswoman and environmental consultant who promotes innovation and environmental sustainability in Small Island Developing States. She grew up and attended high school in Nevis, after which she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from St. Francis College in New York, a Master’s Degree in Microbiology from Alabama A&M University and a Doctoral Degree in Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change from the University of the Virgin Islands.
Her Doctoral thesis is entitled “Establishing a link between creativity and environmental stewardship in Small Island Developing States.
Dr. Daniel-Hodge, while speaking of the way forward, said that the NRP is “rebuilding, re- energising and growing stronger together with a sense of purpose.”
“As we celebrate NRP at 50, NRP is still the only party that has Nevis and Nevisians at its core after all, we are the Nevis Reformation Party. NRP is still the only party that has and can deliver a brighter future for Nevisians. NRP is still the only party that puts the interest of Nevisians at the fore,” she explained.
The party’s convention was held at the Nevis Performing Arts Centre (NEPAC) under the theme “Representing our country’s future: our hope, our aspirations.”
The event was punctuated with a featured address by Hon. Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers of Anguilla, remarks by Past Chairman Patrice Nisbett and Past Acting Party Leader Dr. Kelvin Daly; fraternal greetings from representatives of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party, greetings from the various constituency groups and organisations and entertainment.