Women’s History Month: A Feminist’s Reflection

 

As we celebrate this month of March which is also Virgin Islands History Month we reflect on the great women from our various communities who have forged the pathway for many to follow. We pay tribute to the ongoing effort for equality and justice for women and by extension the family.  These women were and in the case of SUPERSTAR media mogul extraordinaire,  Oprah Winfrey (Winfrey), are trailblazing, trendsetting leaders who defied the odds stacked against them. They tackled stumbling blocks in the form of boulders with their BOLDNESS! We reflect in the Virgin Islands as I did in 2009 blog post generated under the banner of my company’s  political brand: Queens of the Virgin Islands labor movement. Look at the image of our Queens below. Caribbean women with tremendous courage. Our Queen Agnes, Queen Mathilda and Queen Mary:

Turning a number of pages in the history book. What is to be said about the rights and women and children in the United States? In this case, I am speaking about U.S. ratification of the Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)?  I am also referring U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)? Note: The U.S. has failed to ratify CEDAW and the CRC (only 6 other countries, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Nauru, Palau and Tonga. and the U.S. has not ratified CEDAW and only two countries the U.S. and Somalia have not ratified the CRC).  See UNICEF’s Faq’s Page As an advocate I am proud to state that in support of U.S. ratification I joined with other advocated for ratification of both treaties. You  can take action too! Sign the CEDAW and CRC petitions!

• CEDAW Petition
• CRC Petition

I turn to music in highlighting the work that must be done. If we want to see change me must take a STAND! Bob Marley summed up the concept of standing up for your rights. He told us to: 

Credit: George Alvertos

Our great woman of our courage, the Honorable Rosa Parks, certainly stood up for her rights and our rights by extension because people of all colors benefited from the work of our great Civil Rights pioneers. Her beautiful image depicting her act of humanity now sits at the Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol woman to sat down on an name of human rights and equality in Washington, D.C., Feb. 27, 2013. a woman of great courage, the same attribute we seek of our current others leaders, both women and men.

In the Virgin Islands we have honored our great women leaders through Legislative Resolutions bestowing honors upon individuals such as the late VI Senator Ruby M. Rouss. So now how do we celebrate, commemorate and honor the work of women both historically and in the present?  Let us begin by  honoring the women in your lives, create strong bonds in the spirit of sisterhood, and support the concept of family. Throughout history we are told of the great power women possess and it is not for powers we see portrayed on the latest reality show or drama but for the powers women possess and have possessed in the peace process as peacemakers in the home and as peacemakers for the cause of international peace and diplomacy.

I leave you with this song produced by a fellow blogger and friend, a talented jazz musician. The name of the song is Queen Mary.

 

Connect with me via Facebook & Twitter (@genwhitaker4hmnty)!

A Clarion Call for Leadership: Establishing The Virgin Islands Agenda: Operation Move the VI Forward & Envision Better Times

 

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” ― Harriet Tubman

It is no secret that we are currently facing hard times. News of HOVENSA’s closure made national even international news. Our government sector, a system as some believe has been on a continuum of destruction, has laid off 500 workers with perhaps more underway as the government struggles with meeting its obligations and devising a plan to bring in a sufficient amount of capital. We of course cannot forget our electricity problem, the infamous LEAC (the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause) with many individuals having to give a a large percentage of their earnings to WAPA as the fuel costs are so high. With layoffs already occurring and major layoffs on the horizon and some private sectors absorbing high energy and operation costs, namely the high gross receipts tax, the formula for a major crisis has already been mixed. Not forgetting to add into this mix perceived and actual instances of corruption within both segments of our society.

But, like some, I am a dreamer and I try to not to be one who relays only the “doom” and “gloom” of our current crisis. I am therefore before you not to dwell nor will I encourage my fellow citizens to dwell on the painful reality of our current condition but I would like offer a few ideas as glimmers of hope as a fellow citizen for what is seemingly a hopeless situation. Although I feel like some people in our community; that we have hit rock bottom, the only way as they say is up therefore there must be solutions to our crisis. I call my ideas which is a clarion call for leadership: “Operation Move the VI Forward & Envision Better Times.” I have dedicated most of my life and much of my career to helping others. For the past twelve I have connected with scholars, activists, change leaders, political leadership, and others in the business of societal and human development. These individuals span the globe as I met them as a student of the law and aspiring activist as well as coming back to contribute to my beloved home. Here are elements of the Plan:

1) The creation of a comprehensive agricultural land and educational development plan created by the stakeholders, the government, private individuals (our current farmers), and strategic and economic experts in our community. The plan should include benchmarks and goals inclusive of a short term plan to immediately address our food needs.

2) A concerted effort for us to put our differences aside beginning with how we communicate publicly with one another, by this I mean, let us use the media to offer our ideas for a way forward. Let use our media and request of our media the reporting of community activities that highlight youth activities and accomplishments of citizens.

3) A youth development plan and reestablishing of the Youth Commission or similar entity to give a voice the various segments of our youth population. The commission will work in concert with the Department of Education. The plan will include major emphasis on civic education, sports development, entrepreneurial and career development aimed at individualized programming taking into account a young person’s interests and affinities.

4) Incorporation within the Virgin Islands police training model human rights concerns as developed by the United Nations to encourage both administrators and officers to follow an international standard for policing.

5) A private sector initiative aimed as targeting a much greater percentage of Virgin Islands youth through internship and sponsorship of career development programs.

These are just a few of my ideas that I have developed some based on what has already been shared in our community. What my hope is that some of what I have said will materialize and other ideas will be shared and vetted as we climb our way out of our dilemma for only collective positive action will change our dire circumstances.

Also, as I have stated before get involved! If you are not a member of at least one community organization or your child or children’s PTA please establish a goal to join and become an active participant of at least one community organization. I encourage you to assist with the strengthening of current community organizations with missions aimed at community development. We must contribute our time, money (as much as are able to give), and effort to making our community a more viable and livable place. Giving back starts with contributions you make as an individual as we in unison pave a pathway of economic stability, family unity, and safe communities.

In conclusion, Mahatma Gandhi once stated: "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." Let us garner the collective will to overcome these troubled times and envision a prosperous future, a strengthened Virgin Islands community.

Advocating for our Healthy Existence: Becoming clean air advocates in wake of the recent HOVENSA emissions

As many are aware, there were a number of schoolchildren and fellow community members in the surrounding area of the HOVENSA oil refinery on the island of St. Croix who fell ill as result of HOVENSA’s reported eight-minute release of hydrocarbons that occurred on December 9, 2010. Reports indicate that 200 individuals, students attending the St. Croix Central High School and others in the surrounding area were affected by the emissions and is the likely cause of their nausea, skin irritation and respiratory issues. Later that evening, I learned about the emissions on Channel 8 News. Here is the question and inquiry that I made immediately following the News that I posted as a status update my Facebook Wall: devastated by the news of the injured students who were sickened by the HOVENSA incident that took place earlier today…so the question is what will it take for us to recognize that there is a real serious issue lurking. I pray for the students and their loved ones, wishing them a speedy recovery from their injuries.

Soon after the incident, members of the community have come together to engage in advocacy efforts by demanding more stringent standards for air quality and/or to seek redress for the damages incurred as result of HOVENSA’s perceived negligent act. Efforts include informal and formal petitions by individuals and grassroots organizations and a local law firm has to decided to take up the cause and the firm is asking affected individuals to join a Class Action lawsuit. Our policymakers, namely our Governor, John P. deJongh, Jr, our Delegate to Congress, Donna M. Christensen, and other policymakers have made public statements directing that actions be taken to initiate assessments and recommendations to establish better means of monitoring HOVENSA emissions, that a health assessment with the technical assistance of the U.S. Department of the Interior be conducted, and other actions.

I caution, however, that the actions outlined above are just the beginning of what must be a plan to change the level of emitted toxins by HOVENSA and a decision to reexamine who is conducting the monitoring as the current self-monitoring system is undesirable by many and is task our government needs to take up.  We now need to set short and long-term goals. Gone are the days that we can put Band-Aids and hope the problems just disappear with little or no action.  This begs the question: Are we satisfied that our policymakers and agency heads of the government entities that have jurisdiction over HOVENSA are at the forefront of the dialogue with HOVENSA on the matter of our health and safety? When will we be begin to formulate our own plans to meet with HOVENSA officials? When will we have a better working relationship with our elected officials? When will we have better relations with one another in all of our communities? When will our organizations increase collaboration efforts for events such as this?

These are some of the same questions that we have heard time and time again and such issues are ones that many community throughout the world face. Therefore, as a concerned citizen and a young leader I am offering the following suggestions focused on increasing awareness and understanding of what took place on December 9, 2010 as well as the previous recent HOVENSA incidents. I would like for us to formulate a plan on how the community can be better protected against future incidents and become better informed about how to deal with the current issues associated with the toxic emissions. Additionally, policies calling for the development of measures aimed at creating a more environmentally safe environment with higher clean air standards and encouraging HOVENSA and other local major pollutant industries to be better corporate citizens. Here are my suggestions:

1) A series of Town hall forums throughout the island of St. Croix sponsored by HOVENSA, bringing together HOVENSA officials, the Government entities tasked with overseeing this HOVENSA issue and community organizations dedicated to environmental advocacy, policymakers both at the local and national levels, community leaders (each community to designate their community leader) and all members of the St. Croix community.

o Note: The purpose of the town hall meetings will be for the officials to provide information concerning the recent emissions to include information about what type of toxins were emitted and why and to provide a forum for community members to share their concerns with the officials.

2) Collaboration among all key environmental and advocacy groups to formulate a single petition that will be distributed both in paper and electronic formats to members of the community.

o Note: The Petition should provide each of our branches of Government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) and our Congressional Delegate, with recommendations for specific actions that the community members would like them to take. Examples of actions include the Governor putting  the provisions of the issued directives on the matter of the HOVENSA emissions in the form of an widely published Executive Order; our Senators passing legislation to create an entity such as a commission that will work in conjunction with the relevant Government agencies and will be primarily tasked with conducting periodic studies and assessments of the HOVENSA emissions and other emissions of other major local pollutant industries as well as; and our Judges should be encouraged to take into consideration the issuance of consent decrees aimed at properly addressing the harm incurred by litigants when presented with the related HOVENSA case(s).

3) Lobbying efforts by key environmental advocacy groups as a follow-up to the petition, aimed at ensuring that agreed recommendations are carried out or that they are properly modified with assurances that the overall aim of a establishing better monitoring and assessment systems and placing the emissions oversight responsibility under the proper jurisdiction of our government are carried out.

These are my thoughts and ideas for actions with respect to the matter of the HOVENSA emissions so that we may better co-exist with one another and ideas on how we can ensure that we have a way for a cleaner and better overall environment. We must take a step back, analyze the situation, formulate a plan, and take action on that plan.

To close, our human right to breathe clean air cannot continue to be undermined by failed policy or lack thereof. We have all failed. However, we can change this reality.  We can be at the forefront as a model clean air environment, we all can become environmental advocates, advocates can become better leaders, our existence depends on the steps we all take regarding this matter as well as all issues that have a direct bearing on how we live in the place we call home.

In the coming weeks I ask community members to join me and others in bringing about the much needed change as we push forward in collectively assisting with the realization of better air quality for us all.

Sources:

Virgin Islands Daily News Article, “ Hundreds sickened; HOVENSA discharge suspected”, dated December 10, 2010: http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/hundreds-sickened-hovensa-discharge-suspected-1.1075322

St. Croix Source Article, “DPNR to Cite Hovensa for Recent Oil Sprays”, dated December 20, 2010: http://stcroixsource.com/content/news/local-news/2010/12/20/dpnr-cite-hovensa-recent-oil-sprays

Governor deJongh’s Government House Blog, “Governor Directs DPNR to Establish Improved Methods to Monitor Daily Operations at Hovensa Refinery in Wake of Latest Release”, dated December 13, 2010 : http://governordejongh.com/blog/2010/12/governor-directs-dpnr-to-estalish-better-methods-to-monitor-daily-operations.html

Congresswoman Christensen’s Press Release, “Christensen Expresses Concern Over Continuing HOVENSA Incidents; Presses EPA For Answers”, dated December 9, 2010: http://donnachristensen.house.gov/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1840

EMPOWERING WOMEN TO LEAD: The White House Project’s "START NOW Summit: Women Leaders for Nuclear Security"

 

Me, pictured at the START Now Summit: Women’s Leaders for Nuclear Security, held in Washington, D.C. from October 18 to 19, 2010.

As an alumni of The White House Project, a national, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization, 501(c)(3) that aims to advance women’s leadership in all communities and sectors, up to the U.S. presidency, (I am graduate of the 2010 Brooklyn GO LEAD Program) I had a wonderful experience as a participant in a recent White House Project event, "START NOW Summit: Women Leaders for Nuclear Security," which was held in Washington, D.C. this week. I am also humbled to have received a nomination to attend the Summit by the Women’s Campaign Forum, an organization dedicated to advancing the political participation and leadership of women who support reproductive health choices for all. The Summit was held from Monday, October 18th to Tuesday, October 19th. I met great women leaders from throughout our country as we gathered in our nation’s capital to learn about the urgency of the issue nuclear security in our country and by extension our world. The Summit was a collaborative effort between The White House Project & Participant Media, an American film and television production company which finances, produces, and distributes socially relevant films and documentaries and the producer. As part of the Summit we were privileged to take part in a screening of the movie Fair Game, a movie co-produced by Participant, River Road Entertainment and Imagenation, starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn. The film is based on the true story of Valerie Plame Wilson the wife of former U.S. Ambassador, Joseph Charles Wilson,  and is based on her memoir, Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House. Not only did we have an opportunity to see the film but we had the great opportunity to hear from Valerie’s first-hand account of her story which truly touched me. Her story is one of empowerment, one that has given me additional courage to stand up for myself and advocate for the rights of women, despite opposition. The move is set to be released to select theaters in November (2010).

Day 1 began with our founder’s Invitation to Lead.  Marie Wilson, founder of The White House Project, invited us women to take the charge in being a leader in our communities, our nation, our world in advancing not only nuclear security which as we know if we do not get it that right, "nothing else matters" but to also lead on other important efforts, issues we are passionate about. Marie’s words empowered me as she is an inspiration to me and many other women and I am honored to be part of The White House Project sisterhood. We then heard from another trailblazing woman: Valerie Plame Wilson, whose career as a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) covert agent was destroyed because of "dirty politics." Valerie’s story inspire me as a woman, as a leader who knows at a much smaller scale how it feels to be victimized at the hands of "dirty politics." Valerie stated that "now is our moment to serve and to lead." It truly is our moment and I am seizing it! Who could forget the words of the Honorable Ellen Tauscher, the current Under Secretary of State, Arms Control and International Security (she is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing California’s 10th Congressional district) urging us women to lobby the current non-committed U.S. Senators to cast their vote in support of the ratification of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the legislation that is at the center of nuclear security.  As our U.S. Constitution requires, we need 67 Senators to vote in favor of the Treaty in order for the measure to pass, for the Treaty to be ratified.  Note: The Constitution requires that a treaty must be advised and consented to by a two-thirds vote.

Marie Wilson and Valerie Plame Wilson

Following Valerie’s Keynote Address, we had the wonderful opportunity to listen and dialogue with panel of experts on "The role of Nuclear Security in our Nation’s Safety." The panel of experts included Susan Braden who is the Senior Policy Advisor at the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State Programs Nuclear Threat Initiative (Braden’s Bio: ;  Major General Marcelite J. Harris who is the first African-American General in the U.S. Air Force, among other firsts (General Harris’ biography:  http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5723)

(See a Picture of her and I at the Summit); Heather Hurlburt, Executive Director of the National Security Network (Hurlburt’s bio:http://www.democracyarsenal.org/2005/03/heather_f_hurlb.html); and Dr. Brad Roberts, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy. Each of these panelists provided insight as to the role that women can play in advancing nuclear security (Roberts’ Bio:http://www.defense.gov/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=203) .

START Now Summit: Women’s Leaders for Nuclear Security, held in Washington, D.C. from October 18 to 19, 2010.
Take Part Blog coverage of Event: http://www.takepart.com/news/2010/10/20/the-women-who-rock-have-a-message-for-you?fb_js_fbu=752655099 ("Women Who Rock Have a Message for You")
Me, pictured with MAJOR GENERAL MARCELITE J. HARRIS of the U.S. Air Force (Retired).
~Major General Harris was yet another inspirational woman whom I met at the Fair Game Summit. She shared some powerful insight regarding women’s leadership through her personal testimony.
~Major General Harris is the fiirst African-American female general of the United States Air Force! Thank you Major General Harris for sharing your story and thank you for serving as a role model to so many. You are an inspiration.
Major General Harris’ Biography: http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5723

This bring brings me to another headliner featured during Day 2 of the Summit, Rose Gottemoeller, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance and the Chief Negotiator of New START.  The Treaty was signed by President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev in Prague, Czech Republic on April 8, 2010 ( See Link to The White House Blog’s coverage of the New START: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/03/26/president-obama-announces-new-start-treaty).

I am proud of President Obama for putting his confidence in women leaders to take on the issue of our nuclear security. I also thank Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, for her great leadership in directing the affairs of our U.S. State Department. Additionally, we had a great opportunity to participate in workshops aimed at tailoring various aspects of the “tools” that are necessary not only in becoming a leader in nuclear security but our overall training in political leadership. I received training in Op-Ed writing from a leading national writing expert and also received new insight and practical training in Communications and Media by a renowned media, foreign relations, and government expert.

I have taken all of the words expressed by these great women to heart and I have pledged to apply them in my life. I stand firm by the charge to lead my community, despite any obstacles that may be placed in my way for I have "chart[ed] the course of my own path of service.  Who will join me?

In conclusion, I want to thank all of the organizers and trainers of the Summit as well as Rosa my table Captain. Notably, Rosa, a political newcomer in the 2010 Maine Democratic Gubernatorial Primary, who entered the race as a relative unknown and finished fourth out of 11 candidates in both parties within one percentage point from second place against three formidable Democratic opponents. We salute Rosa! Thank you Marie, Elin, Tiffany, Kate (our cheerleader:)), Jewells, and all the other White House Project staff members and organizers that made the Summit possible. I truly obtained great advice during the Op-Ed session with Denice and I look forward to writing my first Op-Ed. I thank Rana for providing me with some additional tools  to use when I present myself to the media. Let us continue to ENCOURAGE women to seek political leadership! ADD WOMEN. CHANGE  EVERYTHING. GO WOMEN!

~Sampling of NEWS Coverage of the Summit:

-Washington Post:  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/10/valerie_plame_wilsons_red_carp.html.

-Take Part: http://www.takepart.com/news/tag/fair-game-women-leaders-for-nuclear-security

*A CALL TO ACTION: SIGN THE TREATY petition!

-LINK to Petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/436/029/495/

*ADDITIONAL CALL TO ACTION: My fellow Virgin Islanders and other friends residing the mainland U.S.: PLEASE *CALL* YOUR SENATORS

(See KEY VOTES listing below):

• Georgia: Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
• Maine:
  • Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
  • Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
  • Massachusetts: Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA)
  • New Hampshire: Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH)
  • Ohio: Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH)
  • Tennessee: Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)

For all other Senators, here is the link to the Senate Directory:http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?OrderBy=state&Sort=ASC.

-Link to New START Facebook Page’s TAKE ACTION Tab listing the Key Republican Senators on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC): http://www.facebook.com/NewStartTreaty?v=app_4949752878

• Link to news coverage of yesterday’s (Thursday, October 21, 2010) SFRC hearing held to vote the Treaty out of committee: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/don-kraus/new-start-bipartisan-vict_b_720191.html  ("New START Bipartisan Victory in Foreign Relations Committee")

P.S. I also thank my Godmother and our U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress, Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen, for her ongoing support and mentorship and for her contribution which made it possible for me to attend the Summit. I THANK my life partner who held down the "fort" in caring for our toddler son:), I THANK my grandmother for her ongoing support, as well as the other family members and friend who continue to support me in my endeavors. A SPECIAL THANK YOU!