OBE recipient 'Mrs P' thanks VI people for allowing her to work with & for them
These were the words of Governor William B. McCleary at the Investiture Ceremony for Mrs Eileene L. Parsons who was bestowed with the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
The Investiture Ceremony took place at Government House this morning, September 20, 2013.
The Order of the British Empire was created in 1917 by his Majesty King George V and it recognises distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public service and work with charitable and welfare organisations of all kinds. Valuable service is the only criterion for the award.
Mrs Parsons, fondly referred to as 'Mrs P', was recognised as someone who served selflessly in many capacities and who also helped to improve the lives of the people of the Virgin Islands while also helping to promote the territory as a tourism destination through its rich culture.
Governor McCleary, in speaking of Mrs Parsons work, used one of the former legislator’s own well known saying “do good and be kind without counting the cost or expecting a reward” which he said speaks volumes of her approach to service. “She has consistently acted not for her own gratification but to bring about improvement in the quality of life to the people of the Virgin Islands,” Governor McCleary remarked to the many persons who showed up for the important and proud occasion.
Mrs Parsons became involved in the VI Government and community when she moved to Road Town from St Thomas, USVI in 1951. Later in that year she was fortunate to obtain what she was told would be a temporary Junior Clerk position. This position that began in the Administrator’s Office would span work in almost every Government Department until 1964.
It covered secretarial positions in the Administrator’s Office, the Treasury, Medical Department and as a teacher in the Education Department from 1959 to 1964. At different times during those years for short periods, Mrs Parsons was on loan from Government to Mr Gustave Cohen of Gustave Slipper Factory, BVI as manager to enable VI women to earn a weekly pay constructing crocheted slippers and to Sir Alan Cobham to serve as Secretary of his new Slipway Company.
It was also mentioned that for many decades Ms Eileene L. Parsons had been at the heart of cultural activities in the Virgin Islands and a strong advocate for the territory’s cultural identity. “She has consistently maintained that Virgin Islanders have a rich cultural history of which they should be proud of,” said Governor McCleary.
As Culture Officer in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Mrs Parsons played a major role in the promotion and advancement of the visual arts and performing arts. She is credited for forming the BVI Heritage Dancers that has now achieved the status of ambassador of the Virgin Islands.
The BVI Community Singers is also a brainchild of Mrs Parsons.
It was stated that Mrs Parsons has been involved in education in the Territory at every level from a classroom teacher to a Minister. One of her standout contributions is the key role she played in the establishment of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Paraquita Bay. The auditorium at HLSCC has since been appropriately named after her.
She also was an avid sports person who participated in track, softball and even cricket and was always an asset to any team she was part of especially due to her organising ability.
Later in life she would be given responsibility for sports when she became Minister for Education and Culture where one of her significant achievements was the advancement of the Little A Racetrack which is now renamed Ellis Thomas Downs.
Believing that the time had come for women in the VI to have a stronger voice in society and in shaping their destiny, Ms Parsons entered into the political arena in 1983 as a candidate but it would take two elections before she would be elected.
She served as a legislator for some 12 years, which included Minister for Education and Culture, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and Deputy Chief Minister. “It was no doubt that she raised the community’s level of awareness of the value of women in politics and the legislature,” remarked Governor McCleary.
A very proud and emotional at times Mrs Eileene L. Parsons said she was grateful to the people of the Virgin Islands for allowing her to work for them and with them over the many years beginning from 1953.
She took the opportunity to highlight some of her achievements that she was particularly proud of, including in softball and as an executive member of the BVI Olympic Committee and of course the Community Singers and the BVI Heritage Dancers which is still alive and well.
Mrs Parsons said she was privileged to be called on by the late Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt to bring into fruition his dream of a community college.
She also publically thanked Former Premier and Leader of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE for the confidence he had shown in her when he made her a minister and then Deputy Chief Minister in his government, which were firsts for women in the Virgin Islands legislature. The same appreciation was extended to current Premier Dr the Hon. D. Orlando Smith.
Mrs Parsons also took the opportunity to thank the many people not only who she helped along the way but who also helped her to be all that she was able to be. Of those that she singled out were the persons who raised her as a child as well as her good friend Dr Henry Jerecki who made the journey from the United States to share in the proud moment for Mrs Parsons.
Some members of Mrs Parsons' graduating class of the Charlotte Amalie High School also made it to the Investiture Ceremony.
Others in attendance included Deputy Premier Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton, Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Ingrid Moses.
Although retired and physically challenged, Mrs Parsons currently serves as deputy Chair of the College’s Board of Governors and on several other committees. She now resides on her family estate at Manchester on the Ridge Road with her three grandchildren whom she raised from infancy after the loss of their mother. Mrs Parsons has one son and two other grandchildren.
_01.png)
Follow Us On
15 Responses to “OBE recipient 'Mrs P' thanks VI people for allowing her to work with & for them”
Oh shut the hell up!!!!!!