Fmr legislator & cultural icon Eileene L. Parsons OBE passes @ aged 94
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Political life
Parsons contested the elections of the Virgin Islands (VI) in 1983, 1986 and 1990, but it was not until the VI's general election in 1995 that she was finally successful.
She joined the Opposition for five years and then joined the Virgin Islands Party and sat on the Government back benches for another two. In 1997, she became the Minister of Health, Education and Welfare. She stood again at the 1999 elections and became the Deputy Chief Minister as well as continuing at the Ministry of Health, Education and Welfare until 2000.
One of her notable achievements in education is her involvement in establishing the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), which today bears an auditorium named in her honour.
One of her last public appearances was at the 32nd graduation ceremony of HLSCC held at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on June 12, 2025.
Cultural life
The late Parsons' cultural achievements in the Virgin Islands are of particular fame and are considered crucial to the Territory's development.
She would often recount her greatest achievement as the establishment of the Heritage Dancers group, which was formed in 1979 and achieved much success throughout the years.
The murals at Fahie Hill are another brainchild that brought her great pride.
Another of her crowning achievements was the restoration of Ellis Thomas Downs, the territory's lone horse racing track.
As a then member of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), she was given the assignment by the late Premier Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE.
In 2013, Parsons was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of her contributions to public life.
Controversy
Ms Parsons was also known for airing her views on the political and social fabric of society, some of which were deemed controversial in some circles.
It was during a panel discussion at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay, Tortola, on Virgin Islands Day, July 4, 2022, when she indicated that her personal opinion is that a Virgin Islander should be able to trace his or her heritage for three generations on both sides.
Her comments immediately sparked conversations on the topic and angered several persons who believed the opinion had desecrated their right to be called a Virgin Islander.
She was a proud supporter of the National Democratic Party (NDP) but had also given her support to Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) and, recently, the Alliance.
The Management & Staff of Virgin Islands News Online express sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Eileene L. Parsons, OBE.
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