Profile: Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry

'There are no career limits for women now'

Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry was born and raised in Dominica. Despite the sad and early passing of her mother that left her father to bring up nine children all alone, Cleopatra excelled at school and was soon winning a scholarship to the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus in Barbados.

And Cleopatra has not looked back, taking top positions with international bodies, moving to Geneva before finally being chosen to head up the IMO’s World Maritime University in Malmö.

Here Cleopatra details her life and her important legal work before, it seems, moving effortlessly in to the maritime sector.

Q. Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A. I was born in the village of Mahaut on the island of The Commonwealth of Dominica and grew up there until I left for the University of the West Indies to do my first degree after my “A” level exams.

Q. As a child, did you speak English or Kwéyò at home?

A. At home, I spoke English, although outside of home I spoke “creole” with friends and the older people.

Q. What did your parents do for a living?

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