Stacey Plaskett: “Well before equality for women was discussed in the U.S. mainland, the Virgin Islands have lauded, uplifted, and seen…”

“Well before equality for women was discussed in the U.S. mainland, the Virgin Islands have lauded, uplifted, and seen women fighters and leaders. All Virgin Islands' children know the stories of our queens, but our girls have a wealth of women who have sacrificed their time, privacy, and professions in elected leadership. Most recently, women like my soul sisters Alicia Barnes and Diane Capehart; sorors Janette Millin Young and Allison DeGazon; Marise James; Donna Frett-Gregory; Genevieve Whitaker; Janelle Sarauw; Carla Joseph; Alma Heyliger; our recently departed Alicia ``Chucky'' Hansen; our first women elected in 1954: Lucinda Millin and Ruby Rouss; local Senate's first female president Cleone Creque in 1977, who won the first territorial-wide race; and, of course, Donna Christensen, my predecessor, the first female physician to serve in Congress; Lorraine Berry, Carol Burke; Carmen Wesselhoft; Lilliana Belardo; Anne Golden; and Norma Pickard. The list goes on of strong, fervent, and resilient women who shape our path and ignite our future. They are VI strong. ____________________”