Allfrey, Phyllis Byam Shand

‘It's Only Leftist Women Who Talk that Damn Nonsense About Women Being at a Disadvantage’: Eugenia Charles's Gender Politics in Dominica

“…54 It 'gathered together politically and socially, and their activities (most of them gender-bound) varied from cooking […] to singing at Christmas'. 55 While their activities tended to focus on women's domestic roles, they also held demonstrations concerning political and economic conditions on the island. 56 Through her role as vice-president of the feminist Caribbean Women's Association, Allfrey helped in making the guild one of its members.…”

“…56 Through her role as vice-president of the feminist Caribbean Women's Association, Allfrey helped in making the guild one of its members. 57 By the 1960s, Allfrey became disillusioned with the DLP and joined the steering committee, alongside Charles, of the DFP. 58 Although the two women became political allies, they differed on the issue of feminism.…”

Jean Rhys

“…replied they were now 'of the common variety, the Smiths and the Browns'. 65 Rhys was enraged, saying she had been one of the Smiths, and refused to speak to Allfrey for the rest of the evening. It is unlikely her family's tone was lowered by her mother -the Lockharts were a well-respected family among the whites.…”

“…She told Allfrey she couldn't go back because of her fear of cockroaches; perhaps it was more fear of being seen as a 'white cockroach'. 94 Yet if it had not been for her stigmatisation as the always racially-dubious West Indian when she reached England, her insight into the injustices of metropolitan and colonial society might never have been so acute.…”