Athenia Benjamin

Athenia Benjamin is a distinguished Dominican diplomat, community leader, and political figure whose career spans decades of service to both the local Wesley community and the global Dominican diaspora. Currently serving as Dominica’s Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs, she has become the primary bridge between the Government of Dominica and its citizens living abroad. Her life story is one of migration, professional achievement in North America, and a patriotic return to her roots, where she has transitioned from a political candidate to one of the country’s most visible diplomatic representatives. Known for her passion for Dominican culture and her advocacy for the Wesleyite identity, she remains a central figure in the Roosevelt Skerrit administration’s efforts to mobilise the skills and resources of Dominicans overseas.

Early Life and Heritage in Wesley

Athenia Benjamin was born and raised in the northeastern village of Wesley, a community known for its strong agricultural roots and its distinct cultural pride. She is the daughter of the late Martin Benjamin and Jean Robin, families that are deeply embedded in the social history of Saint Andrew Parish. Growing up in Wesley during the 1970s and 80s, she was part of a generation that valued communal solidarity and the traditional Koudmen spirit of mutual aid. Her early years in the village gave her a foundational understanding of the challenges rural Dominican families face, particularly regarding land ownership and agricultural sustainability.

For her secondary education, she attended St. Andrews High School in Wesley. As a student there, she was known for her outgoing personality and her involvement in youth groups associated with the Wesley Catholic Church. The school, a central pillar for the surrounding communities of Woodford Hill and Palm Tree, played a crucial role in shaping her early leadership skills. After completing her secondary education, she spent her young adulthood in Dominica, briefly working in the local sector before making the life-changing decision to migrate, a path taken by many Dominicans seeking broader educational and economic opportunities during that era.

The Canada Years: Leadership in the Diaspora

In 1989, in her early twenties, Athenia Benjamin migrated to Toronto, Canada. Over the next 25 years, she built a successful life in Ontario, but she never disconnected from her Dominican heritage. Her professional career in Canada was marked by roles in administration, public relations, and community organizing. She became a prominent fixture in the Commonwealth of Dominica Ontario Association (CDOA), serving in various capacities including Public Relations Officer and Vice President. Her work with the association focused on fundraising for disaster relief in Dominica and providing a support network for new Dominican arrivals in Canada.

One of her most significant cultural contributions was co-founding Madame Wob Dwiyet Canada (MWDC) Inc. This organization was established to promote and preserve the Wob Dwiyet, the national dress of Dominica, within the diaspora. Through the MWDC, Benjamin helped organize pageants and cultural showcases that served as a point of pride for the Dominican-Canadian community. She also served as the Executive Secretary and Chair of the Youth, Education and Development Committee for the Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS), an organization dedicated to leveraging the intellectual capital of Dominicans abroad to assist in national development.

Return to Politics: The 2014 Wesley Campaign

In 2014, after more than three decades in Canada, Athenia Benjamin returned to Dominica to enter the political arena. She was officially introduced as the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) candidate for the Wesley Constituency, replacing the incumbent Gloria Shillingford. Her entry into politics was met with both excitement and controversy. Within her own party, some members of the Wesley constituency association initially favored other candidates, leading to a period of internal tension. Furthermore, the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) and some residents raised questions about her long absence from the country, questioning her residency status and her familiarity with the current local issues.

In the 2014 General Elections, Benjamin pushed a “Land and Legacy” agenda, focusing on returning agricultural plots and modernizing northeastern facilities. She competed against Ezekiel Bazil, a formidable candidate representing the UWP. During the campaign, she was a vocal defender of the DLP government and a sharp critic of the opposition leadership, particularly Lennox Linton. While she fought a vigorous campaign that re-energized the DLP base in Wesley, she was ultimately unsuccessful in the general election, losing the seat to Bazil. Despite the loss, her performance established her as a loyal and capable soldier of the Labour Party, leading to her subsequent appointment to higher diplomatic office.

Diplomatic Service: Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs

Following her political run, Benjamin was appointed as Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this role, she has transformed the office into a proactive hub for international engagement. Her primary duty is to identify and mobilize Dominicans in the diaspora who possess specialized skills, in medicine, engineering, technology, and education, and facilitate their contribution to Dominica’s national development goals.

As Ambassador, she has spearheaded several key initiatives:

• The “La We Konnek” Vision: A strategic framework designed to unify Wesleyites and Dominicans globally, focusing on educational mentorship and health awareness.
• Diaspora Mapping: Working to create a comprehensive database of Dominican professionals abroad to better coordinate volunteer and investment opportunities.
• Reunion Coordination: Playing a lead role in organizing community reunions, such as the 2024 Wesley Reunion, which serve as both cultural celebrations and economic catalysts for local villages.
• Investment Advocacy: Acting as a liaison for members of the diaspora looking to invest in real estate or small businesses in Dominica, ensuring they navigate the local bureaucracy effectively.

Cultural and Social Advocacy

Beyond her diplomatic and political roles, Athenia Benjamin remains a staunch advocate for Dominican culture. She is frequently seen at national events wearing the Wob Dwiyet, serving as an unofficial ambassador for the island’s traditional arts. Her work with the Peaceful World Movement and various Toronto-based community groups has focused on youth empowerment and the education of the next generation of the diaspora. She believes that the children of Dominicans born abroad must maintain a tangible link to their ancestral home, whether through language, food, or service.

In recent years, she has shifted her focus toward social welfare in Wesley, supporting projects aimed at rehabilitating community centers and providing resources for the elderly. Her “La We Konnek” (There We Connect) theme emphasizes that residency is not a barrier to contribution; she often argues that a Dominican in London or New York has as much a stake in the island’s future as a resident of Roseau. This philosophy has defined her tenure as Ambassador, making her a key figure in the administration’s Global Dominica strategy.

Notable Professional and Community Roles

• Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs: Current senior diplomatic representative for the Government of Dominica.
• Co-Founder, Madame Wob Dwiyet Canada (MWDC): Dedicated to the international promotion of Dominican cultural attire.
• Vice President, Commonwealth of Dominica Ontario Association (CDOA): Led various community support and fundraising initiatives in Canada.
• Executive Secretary, Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS): Managed youth and education development committees for the academic diaspora.
• DLP Candidate for Wesley (2014): Contested the general elections on a platform of land reform and rural development.
• President, Wesley Toronto Community Group: Acts as a direct link for the Wesley diaspora in the Greater Toronto Area.
• Media Relations Manager, MWDC Inc.: Handled international press and cultural marketing for Dominican diaspora events.

Career Milestones and Achievements

• 2014 National Launch: Officially introduced as one of the seven new candidates for the Dominica Labour Party.
• Diaspora Advocacy Leadership: Recognized by regional organizations for her work in uniting Caribbean diaspora groups in North America.
• Spearheading “La We Konnek”: Successfully launched the 2024 and 2026 initiatives for the Wesley community reunion, focusing on cross-border collaboration.
• Agricultural Extension Background: Early career experience as an agricultural officer in the Wesley/Woodford Hill communities before migrating.
• Pioneering Diaspora Diplomacy: Credited with modernizing the Diaspora Affairs office to move beyond ceremonial roles into active economic development.
• Cultural Preservation: Instrumental in maintaining the visibility of the Wob Dwiyet in international Caribbean festivals like the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival.