Vernice Idda Bellony

Vernice Idda Bellony emerged as one of Dominica’s notable female leaders of the 1990s, drawing on her background as a teacher, community mentor and cultural organiser to shape her work in public life. Her move from the classroom to national politics positioned her at the centre of legislative debate during a period of political transition, while her community influence continued through cultural involvement, youth support and guidance rooted in traditional northern values.

Early life, education and teaching career

Bellony’s formative years were rooted in traditional northern community life, where discipline, respect and close family ties shaped her values. She trained as a teacher and became known for a firm yet caring approach in the classroom. Former students often recalled her insistence on courtesy and responsibility, principles she believed would guide children long after leaving school.

Her career expanded when she moved into senior roles within the education sector. Those responsibilities exposed her to the structural challenges of schools, the pressures on teachers and the daily realities facing families. These experiences shaped the leadership style she later carried into national public service.

Community engagement remained central to her life. She worked closely with youth groups and elders, particularly through the Golden Age Group in Vieille Case, where she encouraged intergenerational learning and community mentorship. Her public writings offered guidance rooted in traditional values, urging adults to support young people through example and consistent involvement.

Political involvement and parliamentary service

Bellony became part of the early foundation within the United Workers Party as it grew into a competitive political organisation during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Her background in education and her respected presence in northern communities positioned her as a strong candidate for legislative office.

She was appointed a Senator in 1990 and served until 1995. During this period she participated in debates on governance, development and social standards, advocating positions shaped by her experience as a teacher and community organiser. Her Senate tenure coincided with a period of shifting alliances and political evolution on the island.

In the 1995 general election she contested the Vieille Case constituency and won the seat, becoming the parliamentary representative for the area. Her election placed her among the early cohort of Dominican women holding elected office, reinforcing her relevance to conversations about women in public life. She served until 2000, when the seat changed hands and a new generation of political leadership emerged.

Cultural involvement and Recognition

She contributed to creative dance and community cultural activities in the north, receiving recognition for her role in strengthening artistic expression and helping young people engage with traditional performance. These contributions highlighted her belief that culture and education work best when they reinforce one another.

Her published reflections on family life, respect for elders and youth behaviour further illustrated her commitment to strengthening community bonds. These writings encouraged families to maintain values she believed were essential for social stability, combining the voice of an educator with the wisdom of a community elder.

Her legacy extends into education and youth support through a scholarship created in her name by the National Co-operative Credit Union in 2013. The award supports students while honouring her service, mentorship and educational work, keeping her contributions present in national memory for younger Dominicans who may first encounter her name through the scholarship programme.

Her work is recorded in regional references on women parliamentarians and educators, placing her among the early Dominican women who entered public life. Her background in teaching, legislative duties and community activity shows how classroom professionals contributed to national leadership.

Key roles and contributions

• Teacher and education professional with a focus on discipline and community values
• Senator from 1990 to 1995, contributing to national debates
• Parliamentary Representative for the Vieille Case constituency from 1995 to 2000
• Early female political leader during an important period of party development
• Cultural supporter linked to creative dance and village events
• Elder and mentor through community groups such as the Golden Age Group
• Namesake of a NCCU scholarship supporting student advancement
• Writer and community commentator on youth guidance and family responsibility