Dec. 2, 2005 — We are pleased that the Commission on the Status of Women has begun recognizing women in our community who have made valuable contributions to civic life.
However, we are perplexed that the commission did not include at least one woman from the island's French community among the 14 to be honored Saturday night. Surely at least one woman of French descent in St. Thomas has done something worthy of inclusion in the Virgin Islands Women's Hall of Fame.
One who stands out is Senate President Lorraine L. Berry. With her many years of public service – and now as the only female senator – surely Sen. Berry has done enough for this community to earn a place in the hall.
And she is not alone. What about Anne-Marie Danet, who has chronicled French culture for decades? Or Dorothy Danet, another culture bearer? Or Marjorie Magras Caraballo, who as the director of the V.I. Housing Authority helped thousands of Virgin Islanders achieve home ownership? Or Uranie Blanchard, who as head of human resources for Chase Manhattan for the entire Caribbean, oversaw the important work of employing people? And there are more.
We hope that when the commission members begin consideration for this honor again, they will broaden their selections to include the entire community.

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