Sharlene Linette Cartwright-Robinson (born 1971) is a Turks and Caicos Islands politician and lawyer. She is the first woman ever to become deputy head of the People's Democratic Movement; and the first woman to become Leader of the Opposition in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Early life and education

Cartwright-Robinson was born in The Bahamas to Turks and Caicos Islands parents who were working there, and was issued with a Bahamian passport. Her family returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands when she was six.

She is a graduate of the Pierson High School (now Marjorie Basden High). a former Head Girl, Valedictorian, and 1988 recipient of the Governor’s Cup. Cartwright-Robinson later attended the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus and the Norman Manley Law School.

Career

Cartwright-Robinson was formerly an appointed member of the Legislative Council, in which capacity she chaired a variety of committees. She stood as a candidate in the 2003 election, but was defeated. After self-government in the Turks and Caicos Islands was suspended in 2009, she became a member of the Consultative Forum. She was removed from that position in May 2012 after Governor Ric Todd indicated that people planning to run in the November election should not continue to sit on the Advisory Council or the Consultative Forum.

In July, Cartwright-Robinson was named the first-ever female Deputy Leader of the PDM, under Leader Oswald Skippings. In the 2012 election, she successfully ran as one of eleven candidates for the five at-large seats in the All Island District. In Novemebr 201 she was appointed Leader of the Opposition.

Cartwright-Robinson led her PDM to a 10:5 victory in the 15 December 2016 general election. On 19 December 2016, she was sworn in as the first female premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Personal life

Cartwright-Robinson is Baptist. She has served as Youth Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands Baptist Union since 2006. In 2012 she also became president of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship's Youth Department, making her ex officio a member of the CBF executive board as well as a vice president of the Baptist World Alliance Youth Committee. She is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club.

Cartwright-Robinson is married to Lorne Robinson and is the proud mother of two girls.