Ebanks-Wilks aiming to unseat the captain
(Press release): On September 15, 2020 Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, along with her family, announced her candidacy for MP to represent West Bay Central in the upcoming Cayman Islands General Election on 14 April 2021. She is running as an independent, citing that it is time to get things done for West Bay Central and Cayman. Since announcing, Katherine has been pounding the pavement talking to constituents as well as hosting a community social and Children’s Christmas party.
“The job of a Member of Parliament is not simply about policy positions, it’s about the ability to get things done,” Katherine said. “Working with others and maintaining positive relationships is necessary to enact good policies. As our MP, I will continue to be a collaborator and consensus-builder you can depend on to protect West Bay Central and deliver results. I talk to neighbours throughout our community and I see firsthand what many constituents are facing. As a former civil servant and a lawyer in training, I will use my work experience and perspective gained to get the results for our constituency, in Parliament.”
Katherine has been described as a humble Caymanian with the heart of a warrior. Discussing why she wants to represent West Bay Central, Katherine said, “My most recent job at the Law Reform Commission provided me with an inside view of the functions of the government. I was required to attend the Legislative Assembly, or watch live, and every time I watched, I became more and more frustrated with the lack of representation. I saw egos prevent progress.
“The Caymanian people deserve a government that serves them and their everyday needs and leadership that works to make their quality of life better. I know getting things done for West Bay Central and all of Cayman will take humility, compassion, empathy and a large love for people and doing things for those in need.”
Katherine will work to improve opportunity, prosperity and quality of life for West Bay Central and all of Cayman. As an independent candidate, she is committed to working with like-minded individuals to do just that.
“My greatest strength is my humility. I am of the view that when we admit that we don’t have all the answers, we open ourselves up to dialog,” Katherine said. “I have spent the last six years talking with neighbours and serving the community and I have learned so much from them.
“I’ve heard them ask for a strong focus on the basics like helping Caymanians retrain for jobs that are available now, making sure those most vulnerable – the elderly, children and those facing illness – get help instead of being tangled in red tape, and strengthening education. Constituents have told me they want a representative that knows how to build consensus and I’ve committed to setting up a District Council to make sure all voices are heard.”
Fewer than 100 votes separated Katherine from being elected in 2017, and her committee of supporters are confident she will be elected to represent West Bay Central in April 2021.
Election Day is Wednesday, 14 April 2021. You can learn more about Katherine Ebanks-Wilks and her campaign by visiting her website and and by following her on Instagram: @Katherineforwbc and Facebook: @WestBayCentral.
About Katherine Ebanks-Wilks
Katherine grew up in the heart of West Bay with her parents and three younger siblings, where her parents still live in their family home. She witnessed the struggles of poverty and a lack of opportunities in her community. Her mother put a strong emphasis on education, and Katherine worked hard, graduating from Triple C school. While considering her career options, Katherine worked as a flight attendant with the national airline, traveling and broadening her views. In 2010, Katherine began pursuing a legal career and studied at the Cayman Islands University College of the Cayman Islands, graduating with her Paralegal Certification (ILEX).
She began working as a legal secretary and worked her way up the corporate ladder by attending school while working. Katherine earned her L.LB from the University of Liverpool in 2015, completed the Professional Practice Course from Truman Bodden Law School in 2019 and she is now completing her on the job training, which is required in order to become a qualified attorney.
Katherine resigned from the Law Reform Commission in September 2020, and immediately began focusing on her plans for the 2021 General Election.
Community service and passion for Cayman are part of Katherine’s DNA. She is a founding director of the United Against Bullying Foundation, a non-profit organization which focuses on prevention and education of bullying behaviour and helped the foundation push for anti-bullying legislation, which has now been drafted.
She is also a director of the Cayman Islands Youth Development Consortium, which is a non-profit organization that supports at-risk youth. Katherine has served as a member of the Chamber of Commerce Mentoring Programme, former president of the Junior Achievement and former president of Key Club.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, she worked with local charities and ensured that many families in West Bay received food and other necessities. During this time of supporting the community, she decided that she would put herself forward to serve the people of West Bay Central.
Katherine is married with three children and lives in West Bay Central with her family.
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Category: Candidates
