Eileene Parsons, a former government minister known for promoting Virgin Islands culture and breaking down gender barriers in politics, died on Sunday at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital. She was 94.
“Ms. Parsons was a trailblazer, a cultural icon and a patriot whose legacy is woven into the very fabric of our society,” Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said. “As the first woman to serve as a government minister, deputy chief minister, and deputy speaker of the [legislature], Ms. Parsons was a pioneer who shattered barriers and opened doors for future generations of women leaders.”
Ms. Parsons ran for political office three times — in 1983, 1986 and 1990 — before she was elected as an at-large representative in 1995. That year, she and Ethlyn Smith became the first two women to be elected to the VI legislature.
“She was among the first at-large members ever elected, further solidifying her legacy as a political pioneer,” Mr. Wheatley said.
Ms. Parsons went on to notch several more firsts while serving for 12 consecutive years in the then-Legislative Council.
In 1997, she became the first female minister when she was appointed minister of health, education and welfare. After the 1999 election, she returned to that ministerial role and also became the first female deputy chief minister.
Ms. Parsons earned various accolades over the years, including being named an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2013. She was also known as a “BVI Cultural Icon,” according to Mr. Wheatley.
“She founded and led the BVI Heritage Dancers and countless other initiatives that celebrated and preserved our traditions,” he said. “She was the first government minister to ensure that local cultural groups travelled internationally, proudly representing the Virgin Islands and showcasing the richness of our heritage abroad.”
Special sitting
On Tuesday, the House of Assembly honoured Ms. Parsons with a moment of silence before adjourning the meeting scheduled for that day and scheduling a special sitting for Ms. Parsons next Tuesday.
“Affectionately known as Mrs. P, she embodied pride in her culture and heritage, often reminding us of the vital importance of preserving our traditions, sharing our stories and nurturing the minds of future generations,” Speaker Corine George-Massicote said. “Her tireless work in education, health and culture paved the way for many cherished institutions and programmes that remain a cornerstone of our community today.”
Ms. Parsons was born in the VI on July 5, 1930, but she grew up in St. Thomas before moving back to the territory in 1950, she told the Beacon in a 2017 interview. While she is well known for her work in politics, her career spanned a variety of sectors, including education and tourism.
After working as a government secretary and then a high school Spanish teacher in the VI, Ms. Parsons moved back to St. Thomas with her children in 1965 and stayed for 10 years before returning to the territory as an executive secretary for the Tourist Board.
In 1984, she became the territory’s first cultural officer — a position she held for six years.
In 1989, Ms. Parsons began working with then-chief minister H. Lavity Stoutt as the head of the first college office leading up to the opening of the BVI Community College in 1990.
She would go on to serve as a member of the college’s board of governors for more than 20 years.
More recently, she served as a member of the committees that selected the territorial song and the national dress.
In 2017, Ms. Parsons told the Beacon during an interview how she wished to be remembered.
“I honestly would like to be remembered as being a friendly person,” she said. “I feel good that people feel comfortable coming and associating with me. I would like to be remembered as somebody who was approachable, and also as someone who was willing to help wherever and however I was able to help.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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