The St. John community used the annual Emancipation Day performance to honor a woman who served as mistress of ceremonies over the past six years. Former Tourism Commissioner and Legislative Director Pamela Richards-Samuel died in Cruz Bay on May 23 after a lengthy illness.
Her junior high school classmate — Lt. Gov. Tegenza Roach — led a brief memorial for Richards on Wednesday afternoon. Students from the St. John School of the Arts staged a dance for the audience seated in Slim Man’s Parking Lot to view this year’s Emancipation Day play.
The drumming group Echo People gave their rendition of a Virgin Islands folk song, Queen Mary. One duet sang gospel; another pair sang “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”
Each year, the St. John Emancipation commemoration features poetry, drumming, dance, and song, leading up to the enactment of an original play looking back at the events of July 3, 1848, when the then-Danish governor declared all unfree in the Danish West Indies were from that day freed from slavery.
Each year Richards would greet the audience, introduce the acts and at the end thank everyone for coming. This year former Senate President Almando “Rocky” Liburd filled in as the emcee.
Liburd led the group into a moment of silence honoring Richards. Roach shared his memories and delivered a message about what, to him, is the mark of a life well lived.
The lieutenant governor also praised her love of books, saying those who visited Richard’s bookstores on St. Croix or St. Thomas came away enriched with knowledge — especially of Black authors and Black history.
It was a story about the last meeting of two old friends, one facing the end. Richards and Roach took time to talk about many things; after a while, Richards said, “I want a Coke.”
Someone took a walk to the store and returned with a Coca-Cola which was poured into a glass. Taking a sip, Richards said, “This is strong.”
Roach asked if she wanted more ice, but she said no.
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” Richards said.
“So, up until the end, she was still giving orders,” her classmate said. “She died a week later, but up until that moment she possessed life.”
He added the thought that Richards, a native of St. Croix and a fan of Black history, would be pleased to know that she was honored during the observance of Emancipation Day.
Those paying tribute also presented a bouquet to St. John author, artist and filmmaker Theodora Moorehead for the care and hospitality shown to Richards in her final days.
