Page 20 - ALMI 10TH ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY AWARD CONCERT

BIOGRAPHY OF
Hon. Arabella Rosalinda Smith
Arabella Rosalinda Smith was born
on September 18, 1952, on the serene island of Salt Cay, which was a close-knit community, and everyone was a parent for their neighbor’s child/children.
but shortly thereafter, she assumed a managerial position in the company and subsequently elevated to the position of director of the company.
Those were the days when discipline was key and every parent ensured that their child or children attended church service
The political atmosphere in the country at that time was very inviting, so Arabella affiliated herself with one of the major
and Sunday school and were engaged in related activities.
political parties in the country and was successful in becoming a two-term
appointed member
and a two-term elected
There was one public school, and parents had a keen interest
member of the House of
Assembly. She was also
the first female to be
in the educational
development of their children. After
appointed as a minister
of government in the
classes there was the
Turks and Caicos Islands.
opportunity of learning crafts, like crocheting and embroidering, also playing the piano or organ, and attending Brownies and Guides—
She served in two
ministries—the Ministry of Natural Resources
and then the Ministry of Education, Youth,
Sports, and Culture.
just to name a few. Arabella was a part of those groups.
Despite the challenges
one faces in politics,
she was determined
After attaining the age for high school, she was sent to Grand Turk, where
to make a difference, especially in education. When she served as the
she attended the Turks & Caicos High School, now the HJ Robinson High. On completion of her studies, she decided that she would broaden her horizon and
Minister for Education, she was given
the mandate to establish the community college. This task was not a walk in the
went on to college in Jamaica, where she pursued a professional secretarial course, as at that time, there was a scarcity of professionals in that field in Turks and Caicos.
park as it was met with many challenges, but because of her grit, she was able to
defy the odds and successfully establish the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Community College, setting the stage from her office,
on to the cabinet, and through the
At Durham’s College of Commerce, Arabella was one of the top students and became very popular among her peers. She mastered the art of typing up to 90 words per minute and Pitman shorthand at 120 words per minute and was named “Student of the Year” at graduation. Following on, she taught at the college for a short stint, as her parents insisted that she should return home to assist
Legislature for passage. Today she is still proud of the college, as it is a beacon of
hope in shaping the lives of many Turks and Caicos Islanders and residents alike.
Hon. Arabella Smith is now retired from
public life, but she is actively involved in assisting her son in developing his
business ventures.
them with her other siblings.
Today, she is dedicating this honor that is bestowed on her to her beloved deceased
Not long after her return, she sought employment with a private company in Grand Turk, where she started out
parents—Hon. Alexander Smith and Lady Ruthphine Smith—the latter was also
utilizing her skills in her field of studies,
a recipient of such a recognition by this Church.
16