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‘I have mentored people!’- Lorna G. Smith to critics of her political ambitions

- says while VI youths are keen to see more mentorship, now is also a time for change in political experience
At-Large Candidate and Former First Lady, Ms Lorna G. Smith OBE said youths in the Virgin Islands (VI) are longing for more mentorship and while she does mentor, now is also a time for change in the VI which she can contribute if she is elected into office. Photo: VINO/File
When questioned by Talking Point host Damion Grange on whether she should be mentoring rather than running for elected office, Mrs Smith set the record straight that she has been mentoring individuals for years, however, now is a also time for change and she can contribute. Photo: Internet Source
When questioned by Talking Point host Damion Grange on whether she should be mentoring rather than running for elected office, Mrs Smith set the record straight that she has been mentoring individuals for years, however, now is a also time for change and she can contribute. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – At Large Candidate and former First Lady, Ms Lorna G. Smith OBE said youths in the Virgin Islands (VI) are longing for more mentorship and while she does mentor, now is also a time for change, which she can contribute once elected into office.

Speaking as a guest on the talk show Talking Points, live-streamed on Facebook on Monday, March 6, 2023, Ms. Smith said youths have been calling for more mentorship and more trade skills, according to information from a 'listening tour.'

“They also talk about mentorship… some of us are so busy as professionals that we don’t have time to really mentor our young people, spend time with them, find out how their business is going, give them some tips on how it can be improved, maybe walk with them to the bank”, she added.

Mrs Smith said even at the high school level there is need for more guidance coaching. “I feel a school with 1000 students [and] you have only eight guidance counselors, it doesn’t sound like a lot to me,” he added.

She noted that youths need guidance at an early age and guidance counselors to help with total development in the VI.

Mentoring vs running for public office 

When questioned by Talking Points co-host Damion C. Grange on whether she should be mentoring rather than running for elected office, Mrs Smith set the record straight that she has been mentoring individuals for years; however, now is also time for change and she can contribute to that change. 

“I have been mentoring people… now is a time for change that I can contribute to, but I have mentored people. I have served on the Board of the Youth Empowerment Programme for many years and even at my job at BVI Finance, I would mentor people,” she said.

Mrs Smith detailed the persons she mentored included the Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr and others, including those who serve in the House of Assembly. "Young people, they inspire me, I like working with them, they keep me feeling certainly very youthful in whatever they do," she added. 

Mrs Smith said mentoring is part of what she does naturally and it will continue to do despite her running for public office or whether elected. 

22 Responses to “‘I have mentored people!’- Lorna G. Smith to critics of her political ambitions”

  • (13/03/2023, 20:12) Like (34) Dislike (15) Reply
    Miss yah to old and we don’t need you drinking wine on our time
    • WOW (14/03/2023, 11:32) Like (12) Dislike (11) Reply
      ayo confusing. ayo put in a set of rookies with foyboy and he tek we to the cleaners. now a woman of experience and ayo saying she too old come on man. lorna woulda mek noise in foyboy head tha he woulda think many times b4 wasting ur money. stoppit. old or not, we need experience not the buncha idiots who in now.
  • Double 6 (13/03/2023, 20:13) Like (40) Dislike (21) Reply
    No one in their right mind should vote for this lady. It’s not about the people it’s about her.

    I heard her crazy antics on the radio this morning trying to be influential but it was more a turn off.

    The politics of the VI has gone left them but they are hungry for Honorable title and power.
  • Stick to mentoring (13/03/2023, 21:30) Like (34) Dislike (9) Reply
    and stay out of politics please.
  • jack (13/03/2023, 21:47) Like (21) Dislike (45) Reply
    She has earned my vote
    • @Jack (14/03/2023, 00:57) Like (20) Dislike (11) Reply
      Yeah you and her go take a several seats sipping on some Jack Daniel and waste your vote.
  • HMMM (13/03/2023, 22:08) Like (31) Dislike (9) Reply
    What a pre-organized interview with her boy. The lady has too much baggae.
  • please (13/03/2023, 22:10) Like (27) Dislike (17) Reply
    Teach them how to heist another eight million dollars for planes that never fly and then teach them how to distance yourself afterwards by getting protection through selling out your own people.
  • Lmbo (14/03/2023, 00:01) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    Probably mentored Moses to hire old she is. What a joke to see these 3 tall Smith boys parading her around the bars she has never been to or even knows exists in her life. So out of touch and fake.
  • LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION (14/03/2023, 01:01) Like (35) Dislike (6) Reply
    If ayo want to see drama in this place go put this lady in the HOA! Young people will suffer. She is like a miserable granny that wants it her way or the hight way!

    She will step on ayo like flies!!!
  • 2023 (14/03/2023, 03:04) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    when folks needs you to vote for them suddenly all the issues in the neighborhood become their conversation

    things that were affecting the people for years and they did nothing just before an election they have all the answers where were they for the past 30 years
  • As they talk or get interviewed. (14/03/2023, 03:06) Like (11) Dislike (11) Reply
    I was big and high on the two Elders, Ronnie and Lorna but as I listen to them doing their interviews I am less impressed and kind a turned off...Ronnie sounds very Slur, Slow and unsure, Lorna sounds defensive like she already programme to do things her way...As I see it Rite now listening to the at large candidates, these are the most promising and likely 4...1/ Mather, 2/ Moses, 3/ Decastro, 4/ Lorna..---Mather is a sure shot and a good choice and will represent...Ingrid a good choice very bright and articulate but not sure if she has the courage to represent, she is more the go along to get along, not firm... DeCastro get a pass because she wasn't a cabinet Member during the Andy time and doing good thus far in education....Lorna, I like her in the Mix, she will be the spoil child, the discipline mom, or the Goat in the Flock Who wont die silently like what we are accustom to...We need that kind.
  • shantel (14/03/2023, 03:49) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Listen, soon as I see the headline I head straight to the blogs... VINO alyo know we don't like these old guards of corruption.
  • bike man (14/03/2023, 06:42) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    No more scooters and bikes in Tola, she is the biggest enemy of the young peoples transportation. Charlie Joseph, Charlie Joseph, “the people’s transportation
    • So (14/03/2023, 14:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Someone should be, its killing them. Bali is now complaining about the same mode of transportation
  • think about it (14/03/2023, 07:41) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    Voting for anyone associated with previous administrations (NDP or VIP) is voting to remain the same. Neither party has made meaningful progress on issues that matter: power, water, garbage, sewerage, roads, schools/education. Notice too how many of these elected pols have benefitted financially from their position. Did Mrs. Smith’s husband pay market rate for that plot in his name at Oil Nut Bay?
  • Past it! (14/03/2023, 09:57) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lorna, nobody with any sense is going to vote for you - it’s well known what you got up to under your husbands regime and it was not in our interests but your own. Retire gracefully and stop embarrassing yourself!
  • lol (14/03/2023, 10:19) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    She already had three terms as Premiere...
  • Belly full (14/03/2023, 11:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    When is enough,enuff?. These people are so proned to oppressing the average persons(who are the majority and Black) that they always have to be holding the wheel or the Keys.
    Why didn't she make these plans when they would have helped her Husband, as premier.?
    I guess she was so busy mentorring that she didn't learn the tips from michelle Obama.
    Another thing that this lady said on media is "we are taking the Holy Bible too literal." Imagine⁹ how she was brought up in the church under Pastor Forbes arms but look at her these days..
    She also said "no man is incharge of her house", no wonder how the Dock was destroyed so purposfully and deliberately..
    Wait ,more soon come.
  • No thanks (14/03/2023, 18:34) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    larna and she husband had willy T up and down and almost out of town for spite and all the woke shite that went along with it ..no thanks.
  • SB (15/03/2023, 08:08) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Queen you can save your breathe we already know your more than able to lead with your vast experience and education. It's simple. Do we like you enough do you seem approachable are you aristocratic etc.
  • Pondering (17/03/2023, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    For some reason, I believe that she will be a voice for the people and will not be easy to quiet. Maybe she should be given a chance as she is experienced.


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