Albena Lake Hodge was a politician from Anguilla and former Minister of Government.

Career

Albena Lake-Hodge may best be remembered as an educator rather than an active political revolutionary.  However, the work and enormous contribution made by this outstanding civil servant in the sphere of education during the height of Anguilla's bid for self-determination must be recognised as being equally important as the role of the dauntless rebels who took up arms or the statesmen who lobbied the cause of their country.

Teacher Albena was head of one of Anguilla's Primary educational institutions during this very crucial period in our country's eventful past.  The Valley Girls' School was not only a centre learning, but an institution where discipline was enforced by a Headmistress who personified such virtues.

As an administrator, Teacher Albena was one of those influenced the running of our educational sector during the tumultuous era of the late sixties and seventies, when no structured administrative organism was in place.

In 1970, Valley Girls' School and Valley Boys' School merged into what is now known as the Valley Primary School.  This transition in itself was revolutionary for it brought together these two schools, which for decades had established themselves as distinct and credible learning institutions.  Again, Teacher Albena was at the head of this transition.

The new ministerial form of government that emerged out of Anguilla's revolution and had gained great momentum by the mid-1970s, saw the former educator becoming one of the first women representatives in government.

Lake-Hodge was elected to the House of Assembly in 1976 and served as Minister of Social Services (1976-1980). In 1977, Lake-Hodge supported the successful no-confidence motion against then Chief Minister Ronald Webster. With the appointment of Emile Gumbs as the new Chief Minister, Teacher Albena retained her position as Minister of Social Services.

Lake-Hodge was a founding member of the Anguilla National Alliance (ANA). As an ANA candidated in the 1984 general election, she defeated the Father of the Nation, James Ronald Webster, in The Valley South constituency. She was appointed and Minister of Education and Second in the Cabinet. She resigned as a minister on 8th July 1985, because of failing health.

Teacher Albena was also a driving force in the establishment of the National Bank of Anguilla in 1985.

Death and legacy

Albena Lake-Hodge died in office on 22 October 1985.

The Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School is named in her homour.

Lake-Hodge's image appears on the 30c stamp issued in 1999 to commemorate the Heroes of the Anguilla Revolution.