In an announcement made during the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Dominica Labour Party, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit declared the government’s intention to rename the West Bridge in Roseau to honor the late Phyllis Shand Allfrey. A renowned writer, socialist activist, and politician, Allfrey’s contributions to Dominica’s social and political landscape have left a lasting legacy.
Born on October 24, 1908, in Roseau, into a prominent colonial family, Phyllis Shand Allfrey dedicated her life to advocating for social justice and equality. As the daughter of Francis Bayam Berkeley Shan, a Crown Attorney, and Alfreda nee Nichols. She married Robert Allfrey, an English Oxford engineer, and had five children to include two adopted sons, Robbie and David, from the Kalinago territory. Allfrey’s journey began in a well-to-do household, yet she emerged as a radical voice for change, particularly during her time in England during World War II, where she wrote for the British Tribune alongside notable figures such as George Orwell.
In the 1950s and 60s, Allfrey played a major role in the push for Caribbean independence, co-founding the Dominica Labour Party alongside Emmanuel Christopher Loblack. As the only female minister in the West Indies Federation, she served as Cabinet Minister for Labor and Social Welfare, championing workers’ rights and social welfare until the federation dissolved in 1962.
Allfrey’s legacy is further enriched by her literary achievements, including her novel “The Orchid House”, and her role as a founding member of the Dominica Freedom Party. Her commitment to education and social equity has profoundly shaped the socio-economic landscape of Dominica.
The West Bridge, inaugurated on Labor Day in 2017, symbolizes the resilience of Roseau’s working class and will now bear Allfrey’s name, reflecting her dedication to the labor movement and according to the Parliamentary Representative for Roseau Central, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, the renaming will also coincide with the ongoing Roseau Enhancement Project, which aims to beautify the city and reinforce Allfrey’s legacy of environmental stewardship.
While the initial commissioning of the West Bridge allowed for public suggestions for its name, this recent announcement did not mention public involvement. At the time of its commissioning, Prime Minister Skerrit stressed the importance of public input, indicating that Dominicans would have six months to submit names, with the final decision announced as part of his Independence address in November 2017.
Although Phyllis Shand Allfrey passed away in 1986, her spirit continues to inspire the fight for justice and equality in Dominica. The renaming of the West Bridge to the Phyllis Shand Allfrey Bridge serves as a tribute to her remarkable contributions and commitment to the betterment of society.