Over time, the Virgin Islands has been fortunate to benefit from the outstanding contributions of many women, including the leadership of: Queen Mary, Queen Coziah, Anna Heegaard, Edith Williams, Enid M. Baa, Anne de Chabert, Pearl B. Larsen, Jane E. Tuitt, Bertha C. Boschulte, Elizabeth Hendrickson, Elaine I. Sprauve, Ruby M. Rouss, Elena Christian, Gertrude Lockhart-Melchoir, Lucinda Millin, Eldra Shulterbrant, Gwendolyn E. Kean, Bianca Maduro-Andre, Clarice Thomas, Geraldine Heath, Irene Bayne, Muriel Newton, Alicia Ortiz and many others. These pioneers opened doors that continue to empower women in our territory.
As a society we are stronger because of the collective efforts of Virgin Islands women, and during the month of March we are reminded of their special presence in our daily lives. Women are our mothers, grand-mothers, great-grandmothers, daughters, sisters, wives, aunts, nieces, and cousins. They provide comfort, strength, guidance, and direction to our families, contribute to the overall economic progress of the territory and add to our cultural and social fabric as a people.
Too often, the contributions that women have made in all walks of life, from classrooms to boardrooms to courtrooms, and in politics, the military and their homes and communities, have been overlooked and undervalued.
For that reason, Gov. de Jongh
believes it is important to observe Women's History Month and asks all Virgin Islanders to join him in saluting the many contributions of women whose achievements have shaped the history and forward progress of our islands.
