The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Charles, Eugenia
(Mary Eugenia Charles), 1919–2005, Dominican politician, first female prime minister of Dominica (1980–95). A lawyer, she was a founder (1968) of the Dominica Freedom party (DFP) and headed the DFP for more than 20 years. Elected to parliament in 1970, she became leader of the opposition in 1975. In 1980 she became prime minister after the DFP swept the elections, and earned a reputation as a corruption fighter. As chair of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, she supported America’s 1983 invasion of Grenada. She was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1991.
