escribed as a “Red Letter” night in the Virgin Island (VI), the results of the 2019 General Election that saw the people voting for change with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), also recorded some firsts, of the 8 elected from the VIP’s 2019 slate, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) became the first female legislator from the sister island of Virgin Gorda (VG). Photo: Team of Reporters

Over her 2019 campaign, Ms Flax-Charles has been pushing hard for youth development, land acquisition and affordable housing communities, renewable energy, green and clean environment and the need for more to be done for persons with special needs including the differently abled. Photo: Facebook/File

Further, Ms Flax-Charles, coupled with Hon Vincent O. Wheatley are the second set of persons from the Sister Islands to sit in the house. Photo: Facebook/File

Further, Ms Flax-Charles, coupled with Hon Vincent O. Wheatley are the second set of persons from the sister islands to sit in the house. The firsts were former Premier the Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE and the late Honourable Reeial George.

The “Flax girl” Campaign

Ms Flax-Charles—sister of the territory’s Director of Tourism, Sharon P. Flax-Brutus and aunt of recently appointed Sister-Island Coordinator ag. Sasha D. A. Flax—led her campaign mainly on her strong knowledge and forever advocacy on tourism, Beyond Sand and Sea.

She has been pushing hard for youth development, land acquisition and affordable housing communities, renewable energy, green and clean environment and the need for more to be done for persons with special needs including the differently abled.

On Monday, February 25, 2019, upon entering the Multi-Purpose Complex, she struggled to hold back the tears as she gave praise to the almighty and was loud in praise to her husband, Mr Lilly Walter-Charles whom she said, was her number one supporter.

Woman Power 

Among the first to rush to social media to congratulate the historic election of Hon Flax-Charles was well known vocal resident of Virgin Gorda, Orlando Stevens.

“Congrats Shereen… This is no surprise to me because you [have] been doing this same job for more than fifteen years. You have always represented VG for all those years home and abroad. Just lean on Jesus for your guidance Hon Shereen. You deserve it. Do good and it and it would reward you later,” he wrote.

Flax-Charles is now one of three women in the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands. The other two are Hon Sharie B. deCastro elected as an At-Large Representative under the VIP slate and Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines re-elected as representative for the Sixth Electoral District having served two previous terms under the National Democratic Party (NDP 1).

Hon Maduro-Caines will for the first time sit on the opposition side of the house.