Virgin Islands Humanities Council (VIHC)

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council announces its "We The People" initiative for 2008 entitled, "Virgin Islands Voices: A Literary and Spoken Word Festival." In September 2007, NEH awarded the V. I. Humanities Council a grant of $51,280 to support this state project. The project will explore several themes in keeping with the goals of the WTP initiative, which includes self-expression, migration and assimilation.

The event will deepen public awareness and understanding by encouraging expression and its function in the collective advancement of our people. The Virgin Islands Voices: Literary and Spoken Word Festival will be expressed in both the oral and written traditions. The two-day event will include interactive workshops and educational displays, as well as a lecture series event in recognition of prolific V. I. writers abroad, who retained Virgin Islands' memory through their oral and written works. Both events take place on September 19 & 20, 2008.

For further information, please call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The V. I. Humanities Council is pleased to announce the 2008 Heath Award for Teaching Excellence recipients: Ms. M. Lisa Etre of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School from the St. Thomas/St. John district and Mrs. Cedelle Petersen-Christopher of Claude O. Markoe Elementary School from the St. Croix district. The Heath Award was established in 2003 and recognizes the achievement of two public school teachers of grades K-12, one from each district, who have exhibited outstanding ability and unfailing dedication to teaching the humanities. "Each winner is given a cash award of $1,000 for their commitment to teaching and enriching their students through the humanities, stated Mabel Maduro, Executive Director of the Humanities Council."

Ms. M. Lisa Etre's Life reflects her commitment to nurturing, directing, and educating youths through art depicting Caribbean history & culture. Ms. Etre has been able to produce annual youth art exhibitions and has facilitated the production, merchandizing, and sale of her student's artwork creating revenue for student earned income, art scholarships, and Kean's Art Department. She is an alumnus of the American University and has completed Graduate Studies at El Instituto Allende. Her artwork has been featured in Island Magazine and on the Bill Cosby Show.

Mrs. Cedelle Petersen-Christopher has 18 years of teaching experience and seven years as a Librarian. She has been actively involved in local storytelling, the promotion of literacy in content areas that provided professional development for educators and students, and the preservation of V. I. culture. Mrs. Petersen-Christopher constantly shares her knowledge of storytelling, puppetry, singing, dancing, and acting with her students and the V. I. community. She participates annually in the re-enactment of the Fireburn of 1878, provides coaching for students to read on a Saturday Radio program, and preserves the V. I. culture through her cariso song performances. Mrs. Petersen-Christopher has a Master of Arts degree in Library Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Educations.

For further information about the Heath Award, please call the V. I. Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The V.I. Humanities Council is now accepting nominations for certified public school teachers in the humanities through March 7, 2008. These disciplines include: language and literature, history, archaeology, cultural anthropology, folklife studies, jurisprudence, philosophy, ethics, comparative religion and the history and criticism of the arts. Previous Heath Award winners are:

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The Virgin Islands humanities Council, Community Grant program has awarded 1 mini grant and 3 major grants, whose projects promote the humanities.

Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, Inc. was awarded $3,500.00 for their project entitled "Political and Cultural Critique of Colonial Art and Exhibition". This 8-day exhibition features two international artists/writers/critics; Luis Camnitzer and his wife, Selby Hickey. The artists critique local artists' works and discuss how local culture may be playing a role in their art. The project continues the focus of CMCArts to provide an intellectually stimulating setting for the exchange of ideas and provide an opportunity to expose artists and those interested in 'how culture thinks through the arts'.

The Strength to Strength Organization has been awarded $10,000.00 to produce "Liberated Minds", a documentary based on the tracing of mental slavery with the Triangular Slave Trade connections of the Virgin islands, Denmark, and Ghana. This media production will focus on today's social issues and their psychological effects in the Virgin Islands, which resulted from conditions during slavery in the Danish West Indies.

St. John Community Foundation was awarded $9,350.00 to present an interactive public exhibit and workshop on the celebration of Virgin Islands culture and heritage. This project is intended to educate both local and non-local spectators about various aspects in the Virgin Islands culture, West African Heritage, and the central role Wilmot Blyden played in the lives of the Virgin Islands people. This project entitled "Celebrating Our Ancestors Folk Life Festival 2008 (Kulu Mele)", will present various artifacts, crafts, and other native items on display for the viewing public. The three-day celebration will display the Virgin Islands life by way of demonstrations, lectures, and dance performances from February 21-23, 2008.

Island Center of St. Croix was awarded $10,000.00 to promote the discipline of music in creative workshops for students. The project entitled, "Listen and Learn at the Center", is designed to help students acquire musical skills with the use of voice and instruments. Various genres of music from local traditional quelbe to international classical music will be introduced and taught to local students over the course of one year.

The Virgin Islands Humanities council is seeking applications for the mini grant deadlines on March 3rd & May 1st of 2008 as well as the major grant deadline on July 1, 2008. Mini grants receive a maximum of $3,500.00 and major grants a maximum of $10,000.00. The Council supports projects that chronicle Virgin Islands history, explore our philosophy of life, and examine cultural and social traditions of various ethnic groups within our community. Proposals must follow the V.I. Humanities Council's guidelines, and are considered for funding by the proposal review committee for mini grants and Board of Directors for major grants.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. Its mission is to provide opportunities for the diverse population of the Virgin Islands to participate in humanities programs, which promote a love of learning, encourage dialogue, enhance understanding and broaden people's judgment.

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is accepting nominations to fill two upcoming vacancies for the St. Croix district.

The Council’s 13-member volunteer Board is comprised of academic and public members representing the Virgin Islands’ diverse population. Members are elected to two consecutive three-year terms for a total of six years of service.

A private nonprofit agency, the V.I. Humanities Council is the local affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council is committed to the preservation of Virgin Islands history and cultural heritage and accomplishes this through a community grant program, and through a variety of humanities programs and services.

Council programs promote a love of learning, encourage dialogue, enhance people’s understanding of pertinent issues and broaden people’s judgment.

Letters of nomination for Board membership should indicate a candidate’s willingness to serve, accompanied by a brief biographical statement. Nominations should be addressed to: Nominating, Board Development Committee, Virgin Islands Humanities Council, No 7. Kongens Gade, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802 and should be postmarked no later than June 8, 2007.

Please call Mabel Maduro, Executive Director, at 776-4044 or visit the Council’s website at vihumanities.org for more information.

The National Endowment of the Humanities [NEH] supports a national initiative called We The People. Its goal is to encourage and strengthen the teaching, study and understanding of American history and culture through the support of projects that explore significant events and themes and advance knowledge of the principles that define America.

In September 2006, NEH awarded the Virgin Islands Humanities Council a grant of $46,280 to support a state project entitled, "The Future of the Past: The Business of Cultural Heritage Tourism." The conference will assist the Virgin Islands in further realizing the economic benefits of preserving and promoting our culture and heritage through tourism the mainstay of the Virgin Islands economy, stated Mabel Maduro, Executive Director of the Humanities Council.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council, in support of the territory's need to enhance, develop and manage a successful cultural and heritage tourism product, will execute a conference, VI Heritage Tourism Website and publication proceedings for dissemination to tourism leaders, cultural organizations, public and private sector leaders and members of the community by the end of 2007. The two-day Cultural and Heritage Tourism Conference will be held on September 14 & 15, 2007 on the island of St. Croix. "The Honorable Donna M. Christensen, Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, VI State Historic Preservation Office, Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association, Christiansted National Historic Site, and the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism are cohorts of this project. Additionally, a 13 member advisory committee of St. Thomas - St. John and St. Croix community leaders, board members and staff have assisted with review of the Council's overall plans for the conference and provided input on various aspects, explained Maduro."

The purpose of the conference is to create trends in cultural and heritage tourism and develop modes of economic empowerment through the celebration of cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands and the Americas, link Virgin Islands hospitality industry leaders to renowned international experts and models for successful cultural& heritage development and conduct workshops to assist the creative sector, leaders, and school-age youth in becoming an integral part of a cultural heritage tourism product.

The Council is in need of additional funding to assist with this initiative and other education and community development programs. We certainly would welcome private/public sector sponsorship of this very significant event to ensure that the activity is adequately realized, the Council plans to unveil detailed conference plans by the end of April, stated Mabel J. Maduro, Executive Director of the Council.

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The Heath Award, made possible by a generous donation from Dr. and the late Mrs. Heath was established in 2003. It recognizes the achievement of two certified public school teachers of grades K-12, one from the St. Thomas/St. John district and the other from the St. Croix district, who have exhibited outstanding ability and unfailing dedication to teaching the humanities.

The V.I. Humanities Council is now accepting nominations for certified public school teachers in the humanities through March 9th. These disciplines include: lanquage and literature, history, archaeology, culturual anthopology, folklife studies, jurisprudence, philosophy, ethics, comparative religion and the history and criticism of the arts. Previous Heath Award winners follow:

For further information about the Heath Award, please call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The St. Croix Friends of Denmark Society has been awarded $10,000 for a media project entitled, "Danish Artist Hugo Larsen's Cultural Portrait of Our Islands 1904-1907: A Video Presentation in Celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Transfer."

This educational video project is base on the life and impressionist renderings of Hugo Larsen while he lived in the Virgin Islands. The community will learn about Hugo Larsen and the Virgin Islands during 1904-1907, through illustrations that capture an average day in the life of the local population. A one half hour documentary will be developed for the benefit of the community but more specifically for teachers and students.

The Strength to Strength Center was awarded $3,500 for a walking tour and discussion entitled, "Dollar Fe Dollar Cultural and Historic Tour: A Remembrance of the 1892 Coal Workers Strike."

The project will retrace the historical sites affiliated with the Coal Workers Strike during which the coal carriers, led by Queen Coziah, shut down refueling operations in the St. Thomas harbor long enough to achieve their goal of being paid a higher and stable rate of currency.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. Its' mission is to provide opportunities for the diverse population of the Virgin Islands to participate in humanities programs, which promote a love of learning, encourage dialogue, enhance understanding and broaden people's judgment. The VIHC accomplishes its mission by fostering an awareness of shared commitment to public humanities, through working in partnership with humanities scholars and cultural and civic institutions and organizations in the territory.

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The "We The People" project entitled "U.S. Virgin Islanders: A People's Continued Quest for Self-Governance," has been explored through several events. The third event will be the "We The People" Heftel Lecture Series and Humanist Award.

This lecture entitled "Women's Suffrage and Role in Self-Governance," will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. The keynote lecturer will be Dr. Julianne Malveaux -economist, writer and columnist. Mrs. Ruth Moolenaar, a Virgin Islands educator, author, and scholar will focus on local suffragettes. They will also present the roles that women have played, and continue to play, in self-determination. A reception will follow.

This event is a part of the Daniel L. Heftel Lecture Series named after St. Thomas businessman, civic leader and V.I. Humanities Council Co-founder. The Humanist Award, given to Virgin Islanders who have made exemplary contributions to the cultural life of the community through the humanities, will also be presented.

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council has distributed DVD and Study Guide copies of an educational documentary titled “Transfer Day Perspectives” to all public and private middle and high schools, libraries and the University of the Virgin Islands. “The supplementary material is a valuable teaching tool and will enrich the minds of our young people, explained Mabel J. Maduro, Executive Director.” The documentary examines the on-going struggle of Virgin Islanders to attain full U.S. citizenship and features interviews with eyewitnesses of the 1917 Transfer Day and with legal and political scholars about the present and future options.

This presentation supports the Virgin Islands Humanities Council’s “We the People” project entitled “U.S. Virgin Islanders: A People’s Quest for Self- Governance,” and is made possible through funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The financial contribution of good corporate and private citizens: Fintrac, an international agribusiness consulting firm, West Indian Co., Ltd., Michael Banzhaf Studio, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, Mr.& Mrs Leo Sibilly, Mr.& Mrs. Romero Allamani, Mrs. Patricia Jones, Mr. Stephen Jones and Shelley Moorhead made it possible for the copies of the DVD and study guide to be reproduced for distribution to the schools.

“Transfer Day Perspectives” DVD and study guides are available for sale at the V.I. Humanities Council office on St. Thomas and the V.I. Council on the Arts office on St. Croix.

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The National Endowments for the Humanities in support of the “We The People” initiative awarded the Virgin Islands Humanities Council a grant of $30,980.00 on September 29, 2005. The goal of this project is to encourage and strengthen the teaching and understanding of American history and culture through which we ultimately define ourselves as Americans.

The Council’s project title is U.S. Virgin Islanders: A People’s Continued Quest for Self-Governance. As the discussions about the islands’ political status and constitution heighten, the Humanities Council continues to educate our citizens about issues that advance their understanding of self-determination.

To this end, “The Council will use the funds to plan and sponsor a “We The People” Webpage, a Virgin Islands Chautauqua Series, a lecture and televised forum,” explained Mabel J. Maduro, Executive Director.”

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

     July 16, 2006 – A photograph of V.I. artist Albert Daniel looks down over the main room of the historic Penha House, present home to the V.I. Humanities Council, serving as a visible reminder of the council's mission as a standard bearer of V.I. culture.
     Behind a table holding a dozen books on V.I. history and culture is an antique shell mirror found during renovation of another historic house across the street from VIHC on Kongens Gade, also known as Education Street.
     At the helm, VIHC Executive Director Mabel Maduro is committed to fulfilling VICH's mission to "bring humanities programs, which promote a love of learning, encourage dialogue, enhance understanding, and broaden people's judgment" to Virgin Islanders.
     In 2006 VIHC went a long way toward that goal with the "We the People" project, which included the Chautauqua Series, "The Three Queens."
      Maduro says she was gratified and surprised by the turnout at the three events held on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. She says she expected at most 20 people to attend the first-person historical monologues of Quenn Breffau of the St. John Revolt of 1733-34, Queen Mary of St. Croix's Fireburn of 1878 and Queen Coziah, who started the St. Thomas Mexican Silver Riot of 1892. Nearly 300 people attended the interactive performances on all three islands.
      "What is great about a Chautauqua is that the audience can participate by asking questions directly of the performers," Maduro says. "You could ask Queen Mary what made her decide to start that fire, and Queen Mary can answer you."
      "We the People" (WTP) was funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities Council. The project also included: a televised forum entitled "An Objective Overview of the V.I. Constitutional Conventions"; a lecture, "Women's Suffrage and Role in Self-Governance"; and development of a Web page that includes source material for the 2005 and 2006 "We the People" projects.
     The goal for WTP and the Humanities Council, Maduro says, is to get Virgin Islanders excited about the humanities and their culture.
     In the WTP project's 2007 edition, Maduro hopes to meld culture with tourism and take the humanities to another level by accessing the economic possibilities intertwined with cultural heritage tourism. If the plans that arose from a conference Maduro attended in Washington, D.C., with Myron Jackson of the State Historic Preservation Office and Betty Mahoney of the V.I. Council on the Arts come to fruition, VIHC will host a cultural tourism conference mid-2007 that will link V.I. hospitality industry leaders with international experts who have achieved success in the development of cultural heritage tourism.
     In her rationale for the project Maduro wrote, "The rich culture and heritage of the Virgin Islands have great economic and social potential."
     Maduro says after the Washington conference that she "felt obligated to come back and make something happen."
     She says taking an economic approach will engage members of the community who might not otherwise have interest in the humanities. She says more opportunities to engage the local population will be provided through showcasing food, dance, art and music.
     "People think the humanities are for intellectuals," Maduro says. But really it is about the everyday parts of the culture, she believes.
     Another project geared to engage the local population is the Humanities Resource Center, a lending library that Maduro wants to see upgraded and made more accessible.
     She is hoping for a windfall in the form of a $25,000 contribution from the private sector that will allow her to renovate a room in a building behind the Penha House that can house the collection of programs and projects developed by VIHC grantees and numerous books on Caribbean, American and African-American history and heritage. Due to the lack of air conditioning, many of the projects, which include videos and environmentally sensitive materials, are stored in one of the offices in the main house, which is air conditioned.
     But Maduro says that makes it difficult for teachers and other to be able to access and use the vast resources compiled by the council.
     She has already obtained a design for the lending library from Jaredian Design Group, which includes having comfortable tables and chairs along with viewing equipment, shelves and proper housing for the projects.
     All VIHC grantees are required to leave their projects with the council, so every project funded since 1984, when the VIHC was founded, has a home at the council offices, but not necessarily one that makes them readily available to the general public, which is the point of having them there, Maduro says. The council offers mini-grants of up to $3,500 and major grants of up to $10,000.
     "Transfer Day Perspectives," an educational documentary funded by the council and produced by Eric Miles, won a major ADDY award in 2006 from the Ad Club of the Virgin Islands. Copies of the documentary were widely distributed to the territory's schools and libraries.
     Through the council and its education projects, Maduro hopes to "cultivate and empower the masses." She feels that cultural awareness builds self-esteem.
     In the further development of the cultural tourism product, Maduro says, "Virgin Islanders can have a piece of what is our main industry – tourism."

The Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Humanities Council, Ms. Mabel J. Maduro, would like to announce to the public that the board of directors general meeting for the Council will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel’s Tradewinds Room from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is honored to present the 2005 Heath Award for Teaching Excellence Recipients for Ms. Sandra Reed of Lockhart Elementary School for the St. Thomas / St. John district and Mr. Gerard Emanuel of Central High School for the St. Croix district.

Ms. Sandra Reed has 16 years of teaching experience and is involved in numberous church and civic organizations that mentor children. She is an alumna of the University of the Virgin Islands and is presently working on a second master of Arts degree in Adminstration and Supervision. Ms. Reed is a member of the Mongo Niles Cultural Dancers and has used her experience as a quadrille dancer to direct the Lockhart Quadrille Dancers – a youth quadrille group that is in high demand in the community. They are constantly invited to perform at numerous events such as Miracle on Main Street, American Federation of Teachers Socials and events sponsored by the Government of the Virgin Islands. Ms. Reed’s life reflects her commitent to the communities youths and Virgin Islands Culture.

Mr. Gerard Emanuel has been teaching on both the University and High School level for over 7 years. At the St. Croix Central High School he teaches Caribbean History, Comparative Government, Street Law and World History. Mr Emanuel is also an alumnus of the University of the Virgin Islands and holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration. He has also studied at Howard University and University of the Copenhagen, Institute of Economic History. Mr Emanuel is constantly giving back to his Virgin Islands community by instructing Central High students in the Superior Court’s Moot Court Compitition, coaching school-aged youths, presenting at various historical or political events, participating in Humanities projects, and providing research and source materials for various publications including “The Umbilical Cord” and “Clear de Road.” It is clear to see that Mr. Emanuel has dedicated his life to researching, preserving and promoting the culture and heritage of the Virgin Islands.

Former recepients of the Heath Award for Teaching Excellence were: Ms. Frances Rutnik & Ms. Lisa Lenhardt in 2004 and Mr. Glenn “Kwabena” Davis and Mr. Anselm Richards in 2003.

The Heath Award was established in 2003 and recognizes the achievement of two public school teachers of grades K–12, one from the St. Thomas/St. John district and the other from the St. Croix district, who have exhibited outstanding ability and unfailing dedication to teaching the humanities.

For further information about the Heath Award please call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The second “We The People” project event sponsored by the Virgin Islands Humanities Council and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities is the Three Queens Chautauqua Series.

The Chautauqua Series will present three of the six Virgin Islands “Queens:” Queen Breffu of the St. John Revolt of 1733-34, Queen Mary of St. Croix’s Fireburn of 1878 and Queen Coziah, who started the St. Thomas Mexican Silver Riot of 1892. A Chautauqua is a first person historical characterization or monologue based on biographies and historical information. It includes questions and answers during the performance and is being produced by Per Ankh.

The Three Queens Chautauqua Series will be presented on all three islands. The St. John performance will be at the St. John School for the Arts on Friday, June 16^th, the St. Thomas performance at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on Saturday, June 17^th, and the St. Croix performance at Fort Frederik Museum on Friday, June 23^rd. All performances will begin at 8:00 pm.

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

“Transfer Day Perspectives” DVD and study guides are available for sale at the V.I. Humanities Council office on St. Thomas and the V.I. Council on the Arts office on St. Croix.

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

Established in 2003, the Heath Award recognizes the achievement of two public school teachers of grades K—12, one from the St. Thomas/St. John district and the other from the St. Croix district, who have exhibited outstanding ability and unfailing dedication to teaching the humanities. The award winner will each receive a cash award of $1,000 and a commemorative certificate. The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is seeking nominations from the public of teachers who exemplify this discription.

The Heath Award was made possible by a generous donation from Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Heath and is sponsored by the Humanities Council. “Mrs. Geraldine Heath passing in December 2005 has left a great void within the Council. She willingly served and generously supported every initiative,” explained Mabel Maduro, Executive Director.

As a means of keeping Mrs. Heath’s spirit and life-long personal interests alive, her husband Dr. Alfred 0. Heath has endowed the establishment of the Virgin Islands Humanities Council Heath Award Endowment for the amount of $20,000.

My beloved Gerry would have wanted me to ensure that the Council’s education and community development programs continue. As an educator and generous human being, she strongly believed in providing opportunities that would allow people to expand their knowledge base,” stated Dr. Alfred 0. Heath.

The 2005 recepients of the Heath Award were Frances Rutnik of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St. Thomas and Ms. Lisa Lenhardt of Central High School on St. Croix.

For further information on the Heath Award or the Virgin Islands Humanities Council, please call 776—4044.

The National Endowment for the Humanities in support of the “We The People” project awarded the Virgin Islands Humanities Council a grant of $30,980 in September of 2005. The goal of this grant / project is to encourage and strengthen the teaching and understanding of American history and culture through which we ultimately define ourselves as Americans. The Humanities Council project is entitled, “U.S. Virgin Islanders: A People’s Continued Quest for Self- Governance.”

The first “We The People” event will be a live televised forum on February 28^th at 8:30 p.m. on TV2 / Talk2 with host Attorney Amos Carty, Jr. The forum is intended to give an objective overview of the previous Virgin Islands Constitutional Conventions. The panelists will include: Mr. Basil Ottley, Jr. – Political Analyst, Attorney Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine – Legal Scholar, Dr. Ruth Beagles – Former Convention Delegate, and Ms. Lorna Thomas – Board of Elections Representative. The live forum is intended to create public awareness on the past constitutions drafted for and by the people of the Virgin Islands.

In May, a Chautauqua Series will present three of the six Virgin Islands “Queens:” Queen Breffu of the St. John Revolt of 1733-34, Queen Mary of St. Croix’s Fireburn of 1878 and Queen Coziah, who started the St. Thomas Mexican Silver Riot of 1892. A Chautauqua is a first person historical characterization or monologue based on biographies and historical information. It includes questions and answers during the performance. The Chautauqua Series will be presented on all three islands.

The 2006 Heftel Lecture in September will focus on women’s role in the past, present and future of Virgin Island Self-Governance. The Council will invite a notable speaker to present on women’s suffrage, and Virgin Islands scholar to focus on local suffragettes. They will also present the roles that women have played, and continue to play, in self-determination.

In October, new WTP Web page will be created on the VIHC website and linked to educational institutions in the community. The web page will contain a chronology of Virgin Islands historical events and persons pertinent to the quest for self-governance. A workshop will be conducted for public high school teachers on how to use the materials.

“The Council is in need of additional funding to assist with the education process on the issues of status and constitutional convention. We would certainly appreciate sponsorship of any of the events to ensure that each activity is adequately realized," explained Mabel J. Maduro, Executive Director of the Council.

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council, Community Grants program has awarded one major grant and 4 mini grants, whose project promotes the humanities.

The Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park has been awarded $9,997.00 for the “Virtual Preservation of Colonial Structures” workshop, designed to capture the construction, images and location of a water-drawing windmill on Leinster Bay, St. John. This historic preservation workshop will utilize advanced computer graphics and GIS software technology administered by the University of Maine, a collaborator on this project.

The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts have been awarded $3,500 to produce “Transfer,” an interactive exhibit and panel discussion based on migration, identity and the Virgin Islands historical event on March 31, 1917 - Transfer Day. The exhibit will include images of persons emigrating from the Virgin Islands circa 1917.

The Charles H. Emanuel School production team has been awarded $3,497.46 to videotape culture bearers, teachers and parents demonstrating traditional games at the Reichhold Center for the Arts (St. Thomas) and the St. George Village Botanical Gardens (St. Croix). The project entitled, “ We Are Culture Bearers Too! Youth Preserving Traditional Games,” will produce a twenty-minute video to be aired on the educational channels, distributed to local libraries and schools, as well as a viewing, free and open to the general public.

This workshop by the St. George Village Botanical Garden was awarded $2,949, and is intended to teach students and teachers the native plants and procedures that have been used for dying. “Investigating Natural Plant Dyes,” will trace this tradition that dates back to the Taino culture, and involve the collecting, grinding, and boiling of plants to create a dye bath. The students and teachers will create scrapbooks and bulletin boards of the dyeing process to complete the workshop and share with their respective schools.

Yesterday’s Dreamers Tomorrow’s Stars are a group of students who are mounting a cultural show at schools on St. Croix. The show entitled, “V.I. Storm: They Will Blow You Away, A Cultural Program,” was awarded $500 for the production of culturally inspired posters for the event that will remain in the schools after their performance.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council established the Daniel L. Heftel Lecture in the Humanities in 1990 to provide a forum for exploring humanities topics of interest and concern to Virgin Islanders. The lecture is named after civic leader Daniel L. Heftel, a council co-founder.

Daniel L. Heftel was a St. Thomas businessman and civic leader who was well known throughout the Virgin Islands as a humanitarian who labored to improve the lot of his fellow citizens, and as a humanist who appreciated the importance of reflecting on the meaning of our lives, our sense of self-identity, our relations to each other, and our civic responsibilities.

In 1992, the V.I. Humanities Council initiated the Humanist Award to give recognition to Virgin Islanders who have made exemplary contributions to the cultural life of the community through the humanities. The award is presented at the Annual Daniel L. Heftel Lecture in the Humanities.

The 2005 Humanist Award was presented to Governor Charles W. Turnbull on September 24, 2005.

Governor Charles Wesley Turnbull was born on February 5, 1935, at Estate Thomas in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. His parents were Ruth Ann Eliza and John Wesley Turnbull, poor immigrants from Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

He attended the Leonard Dober Elementary School and the Charlotte Amalie High School, from which he graduated in 1952. His higher education was secured at Hampton University, from which he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958 with honors in history, and a Master of Arts degree in 1959 and at the University of Minnesota where he obtained a doctorate in educational administration in 1976.

Governor Turnbull has served the people, especially the youth of the Virgin Islands, in many professional capacities. He has been an elementary school teacher, a secondary school teacher, an assistant principal and principal of Charlotte Amalie High School, assistant commissioner and the commissioner of the Department of Education, adjunct professor, professor and, currently, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of the Virgin Islands. He has also served as a member and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Board of Education. His service in Education spans more than forty years.

During his tenure as Commissioner of Education from 1979 to 1987, many achievements were made in the field of public education. The curriculum was upgraded and made more relevant to the needs of the students. A Cultural Education Division was established to promote greater knowledge, awareness, and appreciation of the history and culture of the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean. Alternative education and school volunteerism were firmly established, and new ventures were made in the area of vocational and technical education. New schools were built, and double sessions were eliminated.

Governor Turnbull has established an exemplary record of community and humanitarian service. He was an elected delegate to all four Constitutional Conventions of the United States Virgin Islands. He served as Secretary of the Second Constitutional Convention in 1972. He also served as a delegate to the 1972, 2000 and 2004 National Democratic Nominating Conventions. He has served or is currently serving as a member of the following organizations: Christ Church Methodist Church, National Governors Association, Southern Governors Association, Democratic Governors Association, Roy Lester Schneider Hospital Board, Virgin Islands Historical Society (founder and president), Association of Caribbean Historians, Caribbean Studies Association, American Historical Association, Organization of American Historians, American Association for State and Local History, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Phi Alpha Theta (International Honor Society in History).

He also served or is now offering service as a member of the Phi Delta Kappa (International Honor Society in Education), the History of Education Society (USA), the History of Education Society (UK), the American Association of School Administrators, Education Commission of the States, Council of Chief State School Officers, the Virgin Islands Humanities Council, the Virgin Islands Board of Elections, the Territorial Committee of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the St. Thomas-St. John Friends of Denmark, the King Christian IV Guild (Denmark), the Dukes Club, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, and the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller.

Dr. Turnbull has received numerous awards and citations for leadership and service over time. These include the first Alexander A. Farrelly Public Service Award, the Turner Broadcasting System Trumpet Award, the Virgin Islands United Inc. Icon Award, the Caribbean Democratic Alliance Award, the University of the Virgin Islands Social Sciences Division Award, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Award of Excellence, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Leadership Award, the Virgin Islands Board of Education Distinguished Service Award, the U.S. Selective Service System Exceptional Service Award(Silver), the U.S. Customs Service Citation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Citation of Recognition, and many others acknowledgements of his service and commitment to this community.

Dr. Turnbull’s biography is listed in Who’s in Who in America, Who’s Who among African Americans, Who’s Who among America’s Teachers, Who’s among Students in American Colleges and Universities (1957 & 1958), the Dictionary of Caribbean Biography, and in many other prestigious publications. He has published, as well as presented, various scholarly papers and articles in the areas of history, education and culture. He has traveled widely in the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. In addition to travel, his hobbies and interest include reading, historical research, numismatics, and collecting antiques, especially West Indian and African- American.

Dr. Turnbull was elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands on November 2, 1998. On January 4, 1999, he was sworn in as the sixth elected governor. He was re-elected in November 2002.

The V.I.Humanities Council congratulates the Second Annual Heath Award Winners, Ms. Lisa Lenhardt of St. Criox’s Central High School and Ms. Frances Rutnik of St. Thomas’ Ivanna Eudora Kean High School. Established in 2003, the Heath Award recognizes the achievement of two public school teachers who have exhibited outstanding ability and unfailing dedication to teaching the humanities. Each award winner will each receive a cash award of $1,000 and a commemorative certificate.

The Council also congratulates the “We The People” Essay Contest Winners, Ms. Nicole Christian of St. Croix’s Central High School and Ms. Devrelle D. Dumas of St. Thomas’ Charlotte Amalie High School. Each contest winner will receive $200 dollars and a certificate to commemorate this achievement. The “We The People” project encourages and strengthens the teaching and understanding of American history and culture through which we ultimately define ourselves as Americans.

The essays were entitled “How I expect to fulfill my role as a citizen of the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

For further information about the Virgin Islands Humanities Council, please call 776-4044 or visit vihumanities.org.

February 14, 2005

VIRGIN ISLANDS HUMANITIES COUNCIL RECIEVES “WE THE PEOPLE” GRANT

The National Endowments for the Humanities in support of the “We The People” initiative awarded the Virgin Islands Humanities Council a grant of $29,250.00 on September 28, 2004. The goal of this project is to encourage and strengthen the teaching and understanding of American history and culture through which we ultimately define ourselves as Americans.

The Council’s project title is U.S. Virgin Islanders: A People’s Quest for Self-Governance. The issue of self-determination is at the core of being a U.S. Virgin Islander. The Virgin Islands is at a crossroad: its political maturity is questionable because discussions about the islands’ political status and constitution have been stalled.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization, its mission is to provide opportunities for the diverse population of the Virgin Islands to participate in humanities programs, which promote a love of learning, encourage dialogue, enhance understanding and broadens people’s judgment. To this end, “ The Council will use the funds for a planning conference, a series of public forums, a lecture, video series and essay contest in order to deepen public awareness and understanding about the issues shaping the political future of the Virgin Islands. explained Mabel J. Maduro, Executive Director.”

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

February 11, 2005

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council, Community Grants program has awarded major and minor grants to non-profit entities whose projects promote the humanities.

The projects granted funding include:

· The St. Croix Foundation for Community Development awarded $3,500.00 for the “Market Women & Sunday Market Square” project, which is one of the events celebrating Christiansted market square renovations. The exhibit will display graphic images of the market women and square. The lecture will present both archived and oral recollections of the families, both local and Danish, affected by this center of commerce.

· The Alton Augustus Adams Music Research Institute granted $4,650.00 in support of a summit with events on all three islands. ”Cultural Traditions of the Virgin Islands: Dissemination and Educating” will feature a lecture and panel discussion and other events which would include a teachers workshop.

· St. Croix Landmark Society awarded $3,869.15 for a “Mock Archaeological Dig” designed to give 5th and 6^th grade students an interactive and hands-on approach to the field of archaeology. The students will make artifacts, then ‘discover’ and prepare the artifacts for analysis.

For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

February 11, 2005

VIHC ANNOUNCES the SECOND ANNUAL HEATH AWARD

Established in 2003, the Heath Award recognized the achievement of two public school teachers of grades K–12, one from the St. Thomas/St. John district and the other from the St. Croix district, who have exhibited outstanding ability and unfailing dedication to teaching the humanities.

The award winner will each receive a cash award of $1,000 and a commemorative certificate. The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is seeking nominations from the public of teachers who exemplify this discription. The deadline for nominations is March 1, 2005.

The 2004 recepients of the Heath Award were Mr. Glenn “Kwabena” Davis of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St. Thomas and Mr. Anselm Richards of Central High School on St. Croix. The Heath Award is made possible by a generous donation from Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Heath and sponsored by the Virgin Islands Humanities Council.

“The Council is humanizing the humanities by diversifying the population of the humanities in schools, higher education and other youth and adult activities that culturally engage and empower the members of our community,”explained Mabel J. Maduro,Executive Director.

For further information about the Heath Award please call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044. For further information about the Heath Award please call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council presents 2004 Daniel L. Heftel Lecture and Humanist Award

Mr. Donovan Rypkema, Principal of Place Economics a firm based in Washington, D.C., is an industry leader in the economics of preserving historical structures. The Lecture will enable the members of the public and those in the economic recovery efforts and heritage tourism initiatives to obtain valuable insights regarding the economics of historic preservation.

The Humanist Award will be bestowed posthumously by the Council to family members of Mrs. Athalie Mc Farlane Petersen. Mrs. Petersen was a tireless advocate of literacy and libraries. Her extraordinary dedication to the preservation and dissemination of Virgin Islands culture and heritage through literacy warrants our highest emulation and respect.

The lecture and Award Presentation will be at the St. Croix Landmarks Society, Estate Whim Plantation Museum on Saturday, April 17, 2004 at 6:00pm. A Reception will follow the Lecture and Award Presentation.

Call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council Office 776-4044 for more information about this enlightening event!

Humanities Council ANNOUNCES the hEATH AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE tEACHING OF THE hUMANITIES

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council announces the Heath Award. Established in 2003, the Heath Award recognizes the achievement of two public school teachers of grades K–12, one from the St. Thomas/St. John district and the other from the St. Croix district, who have exhibited outstanding ability and unfailing dedication to teaching the humanities. VIHC is seeking nominations from the public of teachers who exemplify this description. Each winning nominee will receive a cash award of $1,000.00 and a commemorative plaque. The deadline for nomination letters is March 15,2004.

For further questions or inquiries, please call 776-4044 or visit our websitevihumanities.org/schools.

VIRGIN ISLANDS HUMANITIES COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NEW STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS

Earlier this month, the Virgin Islands Humanities Council concluded its search for an executive director when Mabel J. Maduro assumed the position. Ms. Maduro brings a wealth of experience about managing non-profit organizations and developing and directing territory-wide program initiatives. Maduro’s experience includes fifteen years as Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Tourism Awareness and Advancement Link (VITAAL) Inc. and former Project Director of the University of the Virgin Islands Workforce and Economic Development Institute, "I look forward to engaging the members of our community in the humanities and increasing their awareness about an area that is very much embedded in our daily lives” Maduro explained.

She leads a team of three with two new hires. Rosa Thomas Mannix is the new Program Officer, former commercial loan officer at FirstBank Virgin Islands. In addition, Rochelle Davis has joined the staff as Office Assistant since June. Together with Shellie Tobias, who has been with the Council for over seven years, this new team brings years of administrative, fiscal and fundraising experience.

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is also pleased to announce the addition of two new board members, Oswin Sewer of St. John and David Edgecombe of St. Thomas. Mr. Oswin Sewer is a retired educator. He taught in the Virgin Islands public school system for thirty years. His community involvement includes service as past president of the St. John AARP Chapter, present secretary of the Nazareth Lutheran Church Council and vice-chair of the Safety Zone Board of Directors in addition to memberships in the Love City Pan Dragon Parent Group and the St. John Oral History Association. He writes a monthly column in the St. John Times. Mr. Sewer added, “I am happy to be a part of the Virgin Islands Humanities Council because I believe that it is our responsibility to continuously seek-out, preserve, and disseminate the experiences of those that have been here before us so that we can better understand and appreciate our being here.”

Mr. Edgecombe has been the director of Reichhold Center for the Arts for over ten years Under his tenure the Center has initiated several dynamic programs: Star Fest, Repertory Theatre Company, Digital Media Institute and the Youth Movie Making Workshop. He is also a distinguished playwright with ten plays to his credit most notable amoung them are “Smile, Natives, Smile,” “Heaven,” and “Coming Home to Roost.” The rich mix of community service and creativity evident in the backgrounds of these two new trustees will complement the backgrounds of the other board members.

VIRGIN ISLANDS HUMANITIES COUNCIL OFFERS GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS

In order to assist potential grant applicants in preparing grant proposals for its next Major Grant deadline, which is November 1, 2003, the Virgin Islands Humanities Council is scheduling grant-writing workshops on the following dates at the indicated locations:

· St. Thomas-St. John: Monday, September 29, 3:30-5:00 p.m., at the Virgin Islands Cultural Heritage Institute

· St. Croix: Friday, September 26, 3:30-5:00 p.m., at the Florence Williams Library

Opportunities for counseling on specific grant applications will also be available on those days by appointment. Please call 776-4044 to schedule your appointment or for further information.

Please note that these workshops are intended only for applicants interested in seeking VIHC funding for grant projects that reflect humanities themes.

February 9, 2003
Virgin Islands Humanities Council Approves Proposals and Elects New Officers

The Virgin Islands Humanities Council (VIHC) at its annual retreat, January 17-19, 2003 on St. Croix approved four grant proposals earmarking $25,265 in VIHC funds for humanities projects to occur between February and April:

• #1 title: Documenting And Preserving Virgin Islands Musical Traditions

Sponsoring organization: Center For Black Music Research

Project director: Dr. Rosita Sands.

• #2 title: African Muslims Enslaved In The Americas

Sponsoring organization: Masjid Nur Ahl Us Sunnah,

Project director: Mr. Edney Freeman

#3 title: Afro-Americans In The Performing Arts During The Early 19^th Century

Sponsoring organization: Pistarckle Theater, Inc.

• #4 title: UVI Humanities Festival 2003

Sponsoring organization: university of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus

Project director: Dr. David Gould

We elected a new slate of officers for 2003:

• Chair: Dr. Roberta Knowles, replaces Attorney Tregenza Roach

Dr. Knowles, a former English teacher and chair of the humanities division at the University of the Virgin Islands, joined the board in 2001, having previously served on the founding VIHC board in the mid 80's. She has participated in numerous VIHC grants on subjects relating to literature, English education, and folklore.

• Vice chair: Mrs. Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly

• Secretary: Mrs. Geraldine Heath

• Treasurer: Colonel Stanley Jones

We welcomed two new board members:

• Attorney Deverita Carty Sturdivant

Attorney Sturdivant was recently appointed as the director of insurance and finance. She has a PhD. in English and university-level teaching experience. Her doctoral dissertation is on the styles and themes of selected West Indian novels.

Quote from Sturdivant: “The humanities have always been a passion of mine. Literature, especially writing poetry, remains my favorite avocation. Service to the community is important. In this case, it nurtures those persons who bring the diversity of our cultures to the larger community.”

• Ms. Pamela Richards

Pamela Richards has served as commissioner of tourism since January 2001. She has extensive experience as an administrator and press secretary with the Virgin Islands legislature and the Virgin Islands government. She serves on several local boards, including our town Frederiksted, and several organizations including the St. Croix friends of Denmark.

Quote from Knowles:

“We are looking forward to a productive year with the addition of these two outstanding citizens to our board.”

We accepted the resignation of the executive director, Simon Caines and approved Michael Prosper as interim executive director.

Michael Prosper has served as the grants programs officer with the VIHC. As an attorney, he has worked with the environmental protection agency and with the southern Africa project lawyers’ committee for civil rights under law, providing legal assistance in the anti-apartheid struggle. He also has experience as a teacher, actor, vocalist, and writer.

We initiated a search for an executive director.

The council has initiated a search for an executive director and is in the process of interviewing candidates and reviewing pertinent documents.

New topic:

Following the retreat, Knowles and Prosper traveled to Washington, DC to attend meetings on January 30-31, 2003, with the chair, Bruce Cole, and staff of the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH), the funding agency for the Virgin Islands Humanities Council. Fifteen of the 56 state councils were represented, including New York, Virginia, and Florida.

Quote from Knowles re trip: “This trip served as a well-timed orientation for us. I was impressed with the professionalism and competence of the NEH staff and resources. The public has access to NEH grants and educational resources at their website, www.neh.gov .”

Issues of concern included the anticipated approval of the FY 2003 budget for NEH, governance and policy, outreach, and public awareness. Chairman Cole placed special emphasis on an initiative called “We The People.” Its purpose is to continue to help Americans make sense of their history and the world around them.

Quote from Knowles: “This is a critical year for the Virgin Islands Humanities Council. We are initiating a thorough self-assessment report for a site visit in 2004, the twentieth anniversary of the council.”

The VIHC provides up to $10,000 to support humanities projects. For further information contact Mike Prosper (776-4044) and visit the VIHC website <vihumanities.org>.