(DNO)Family members of the Former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alix Boyd-Knights, have confirmed her passing to Dominica News Online (DNO).
According to one family member, Boyd-Knights passed away earlier today, August 29, 2023. As of the time of the interview, the cause of her death remained unknown.
Having sat in the Speaker’s chair for nearly two decades, she was awarded the distinguished title of Speaker Emeritus in 2020. This revered honour was bestowed upon her during the First Meeting of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, on February 10 of that year.
An attorney by profession, Boyd-Knights secured her initial election as Speaker on April 17, 2000, a position to which she was re-elected on July 27, 2005; February 4, 2010; and February 20, 2015. Her third re-election in 2010 led her to become the longest-serving Speaker in Dominica’s storied history.
Boyd-Knights’ influence extended beyond the confines of the parliamentary halls. In 2010, she was nominated by the Roosevelt Skerrit-led government to assume the presidency of Dominica, poised to succeed Eluid Williams upon the expiration of his term in October of the same year.
However, the move encountered vigorous opposition from the United Workers Party (UWP).
The academic journey that paved the way for Boyd-Knights’ career includes Hugh Wooding Law School, Trinidad and Tobago (1988-1990) Certificate of Legal Education; University of the West Indies, Barbados (1986-1988) LLB Hons.; University of the West Indies Distance Learning Programme, St. Lucia (1984-1986); Leeds College of Technology, England (1962-1963); Convent High School, Dominica (1953-1960), Senior Cambridge Certificate.
Boyd-Knights’ professional journey spanned various roles and accomplishments which include, Chairperson, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarian (CWP) (2010); Chairperson, Constituency Boundaries Commission; Attorney-at-Law/Owner, Knights Chambers, Dominica; Owner/Tutor, Knights Cookery School, St. Lucia (1972-1986); Home Economics Teacher, Castries Comprehensive School, St. Lucia (1971-1972) and Bank Clerk, Royal Bank of Canada, Dominica (1960-1961).