Cora Richardson-Hodge facts for kids

Cora Richardson-Hodge is an important politician from Anguilla. She became the Premier of Anguilla in 2025. The Premier is like the head of the government. She has also been a member of the House of Assembly for the Sandy Hill area since 2015. She leads the Anguilla United Front political party. Cora Richardson-Hodge is the first woman to be Premier of Anguilla. She was also one of the first women elected to the House of Assembly since 1984.

Early Life and School

Cora Richardson-Hodge was born in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Her parents, Kenneth Richardson and Doris Connor-Richardson, were from Anguilla. They moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands before she was born. She finished high school at Charlotte Amalie High School.

Her College Degrees

Cora Richardson-Hodge went to college and earned several degrees. In 1995, she received a bachelor of science degree in environmental science from the Florida Institute of Technology. This degree is usually the first one you get in college.

Later, she studied law. In 1999, she earned a Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law. This is the degree you need to become a lawyer. In 2001, she received a Legal Education Certificate from Eugene Dupuch Law School. This certificate shows she completed special training to practice law. She also trained to be a mediator through the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. A mediator helps people solve problems without going to court.

Her Work and Political Journey

Cora Richardson-Hodge started her career as a lawyer. In 1999, she was allowed to practice law in The Florida Bar. Then, in 2001, she was allowed to practice in Anguilla and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2002, she could also practice law in St. Christopher and Nevis.

She moved to Anguilla and started her own law firm, called CR Hodge & Associates.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In the 2010 Anguillian general election, Cora Richardson-Hodge tried to win a seat in the House of Assembly. She ran for the Anguilla United Front (AUF) party in the East End area, but she did not win that time.

However, in the 2015 election, she was elected to represent the Sandy Hill constituency. This was a big moment! She, along with Evalie A. Bradley and Palmavon Webster, were the first women elected to the House of Assembly since 1984.

Leading the Government

After being elected, Richardson-Hodge served as the Minister of Home Affairs. She was also the deputy leader of the AUF party. On July 3, 2020, she became the leader of the AUF and the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly. The Leader of the Opposition leads the main party that is not in power.

In the 2025 general election, the AUF party won most of the seats in the House of Assembly. Because of this victory, Cora Richardson-Hodge was sworn in as the first female Premier of Anguilla on February 27, 2025.

Family Life

Cora Richardson-Hodge is married and has two children.