Feb. 18, 2006 – 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. The 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 Feb. 28, at 8:30 p.m., on TV2 / Talk2 with host Amos Carty Jr. The forum is intended to give an objective overview of the previous V.I. Constitutional Conventions. The panelists will include: Basil Ottley Jr. – political analyst, Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine – legal scholar, Ruth Beagles – former convention delegate, and Lorna Thomas – Board of Elections representative.
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 and 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 V.I. self-governance. The council will invite a notable speaker to present a lecture on women's suffrage, and a V.I. scholar to focus on local suffragettes.
In October, a new WTP Web page will be created on the VIHC Web site and linked to educational institutions in the community. The Web page will contain a chronology of V.I. historical events and persons having to do with 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," said Executive Director Mabel J. Maduro.
For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.