EXCLUSIVE: I have been fortunate – Eileene L. Parsons
Virgin Islands News Online spoke with Mrs Parsons in an exclusive interview as she related her reaction to receiving the distinction, the latest of many in a long and distinguished career in public service.
“I have been fortunate,” Mrs Parsons stated about receiving the award, “I keep telling people, I should honour this country, not [have] this country honour me.”
While Mrs. Parsons expressed gratitude for the award, she stated that she wasn’t affected by it too much and showed humility in stating that she did not feel that she had arrived in receiving the honour. “It’s just another step on the road to the grave,” she added.
Her cultural achievements within the Virgin Islands are of particular fame and are counted as crucial in the development of the Territory. Mrs Parsons also recalled travelling the world to sell the Virgin Islands as a tourist destination and the number of initiatives she implemented while serving as Cultural Officer to the Territory.
“I think I have a love affair with this country,” Mrs Parsons stated.
The former legislator and Deputy Chief Minister said she was happy to be accepting the award on behalf of her village as well. “I am glad for them and I am glad that I have been an engine that my village could be recognised,” she said.
Asked how she would rank the honour, Mrs Parsons said though she was humbled and grateful in receiving the OBE, she counted her greatest achievement as the establishment of the Heritage Dancers group. She beamed with pride as she explained the formation of the dance group in 1979 and the success the group has received over the years.
She also mentioned the murals at Fahie Hill as another brainchild that brought her great pride. “For me, that is the only thing for the tourists to see, we don’t have much else besides those murals on Fahie Hill,” she stated. Mrs Parsons recalled the resistance she faced in having the murals done and expressed happiness that the Chief Minister, at the time, Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal had bought into the idea in providing the funding to get it done.
Another of her crowning achievements, she disclosed, was the formation of Ellis Thomas Downs which is today, one of the best small tracks in the Caribbean.
Her involvement at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, which today bears an auditorium named in her honour, was another hallmark of her legacy. “I was the only employee there for a year,” she recalled, “I am proud that Mr Stoutt thought that I could do it…”
She talked about seizing opportunities as they presented themselves and noted that one has to be ready whenever they arise. “You have to be willing to take what you can get until you can get what you want,” Mrs Parsons offered.
Mrs Parsons has had a career of firsts and has been a pioneer for women in the Territory. She became the first woman in the legislative council in 1995, the first female Minister appointed in government and also the first female Deputy Chief Minister.
She recalled vividly having to serve as Acting Chief Minister for three weeks shortly after her appointment and subsequent appointments with various cabinet portfolios. Throughout it all, she continued to count herself as fortunate.
Remarking on her humble beginnings, Mrs Parson said, “If I could come from that to be the Deputy Chief Minister of this country, all you need to do is prepare yourself. When opportunity opens a door go in, don’t wait to be asked, do whatever you need to do to push yourself forward.”
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made the appointment as part of her birthday Honours List on June 14, 2013. It is a list that recognises individuals for outstanding achievement and service across the United Kingdom (UK) and Overseas Territories.
The date for which the honour is set to be officially conferred has not been announced, but the honour will be bestowed either at a small ceremony at Government House or at an investiture at Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom.
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40 Responses to “EXCLUSIVE: I have been fortunate – Eileene L. Parsons”
Don't mean to be critical, but it is important that history gets recorded accurately.
Why you dont go back to where you come from. Nobody forcing you to stay on this $h1t rock
I hang my head ashamed of all you who so boldly debase those who are fighting to bring our country up.
Congratulation Ms Parsons for an honour well deserved. Those who you have touched will be eternally grateful for your contributions to this country!