Annual Gift to the Community from the Society of Virgin Islands Historians (SVIH)

UVI Great Hall January 18, 2025

Today marks the 39th Annual Meeting of SVIH. It was founded in 1986 by professional historians and history enthusiasts with a mandate to share the knowledge and insights learned throughout the year. We do this by inviting the public to our annual meeting.

The Society meets monthly by Zoom and offers presentations by scholars in all aspects of the vast history of these Islands. Every January we present the best program we can to bring important history to the community at large--our gift to the community.

Today featured Dr. Chenzira Davis Kahina with enlightening perspectives on the people known as Maroons. With rapt attention the audience, many of whom had only a peripheral idea of the Maroons, learned about a large international contingent of diplomats all working for common purposes to protect their forested homes.

Dr. Chen took us on a voyage through the Caribbean and Africa, bringing to light the many leaders of this movement and the roots of Maroon communities. We learned of the present successes that Maroons are having in finding each other and organizing together to bring the cause of saving the Earth front and center. We learned about the strategies they are deploying to stand up for their land rights and resources. Their tenaciousness can inspire all of us and our ascendants to realize the fight we are all engaged in to maintain a livable planet. Links are forthcoming. Three cheers to Dr. Chen!

S. A. Beach