Oct. 28, 2007 — The territory is now a part of the World Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), with an international membership of 25 million women and girls.
Donnalie Edwards-Cabey, president of the YWCA of the Virgin Islands, talks about getting the group started. Edwards-Cabey is an energetic and remarkably modest woman who has set many benchmarks in her 40 years, starting in her native Antigua.
She deflects questions about past accomplishments — "that was in another life," she says with a smile — in favor of talking about establishing her current goal, the local YWCA.
Part of her past career, however, surfaces in her story: "I was sent to the World Council of Churches in Geneva, where I worked for three years, helping to organize youth groups. The international office of the YWCA was our next-door neighbor. One of the representatives suggested (read: "implored") that I work toward starting a YWCA group in the Caribbean."
Edwards-Cabey began by trying to resurrect a group in her native country.
"I worked in Antigua first, where a YWCA group had become dormant," she says. "I succeeded to an extent, but it still has problems."
In 2004, Edwards-Cabey moved from Antigua to St. Thomas with her husband, the Rev. Lenroy Cabey of St. Andrews Episcopal Church.
Cabey-Edwards' interest has always been directed toward helping others through her church group, and she lost no time after arriving on St. Thomas. Her energy is almost contagious. While tending to the couple's two children — a son, Mandlalele, 6, and daughter, Elizabeth Madeka, 2 — Cabey-Edwards almost immediately became part of the St. Thomas caring community.
The YWCA of the Virgin Islands was established in 2006. It's first recruitment effort came in May at a free information breakfast at Emancipation Garden. Young women were invited to come, have breakfast, learn about the YWCA and write a name of an influential woman on the group's honor scroll.
"We didn't know how many we should expect," Cabey-Edwards says. "We had a good crowd, about 100 or so. World YWCA day is celebrated on April 24 with an 'Around the World Breakfast.'"
In July, far from Emancipation Garden, the fledgling V.I. group joined representatives from more than 100 affiliated member associations around the world at the 26th World YWCA Council and International Women's Summit on HIV/AIDS in Nairobi, Kenya. It was the first ever international conference to focus on women and HIV/AIDS.
The V.I. delegation, under Cabey-Edwards' lead, included Carrol Callwood, treasurer; Hilairie A. Baker, treasurer; Sherrie L. Henigan, St. Croix volunteer; and Charlotte Amalie High School senior Renee Knight.
When Cabey-Edwards talks about the 12-day event in September, the excitement she experienced at the July meeting still directs her energy: "We met so many women, from the World Health Organization, from other groups. A critical component was a group of African women with HIV/AIDS. They said, 'Nothing about us without us.'"
The council met with more than 60 partner organizations offering workshops, and more than 70 international and Nairobi-based organizations, including faith-based organizations, foundations, businesses, multilateral organizations and United Nations agencies.
The theme presented by YWCA General Secretary Musimbi Kanyoro was the role of women taking leadership in the context of HIV/AIDS into their own hands and uniting in strength so they can lead the change they wish to see in the world, Cabey-Edwards says.
"It was so exciting to be part of this huge group of women," Edwards-Cabey says, "all united with one purpose. The women in Kenya have a sense of commitment; they are passionate about children's issues."
Almost as an afterthought, she says they also had some extracurricular fun in Nairobi: "We didn't have the time to go into the town for shopping, so they sent the market to us — what they call a Sokoni, the Swahili word for marketplace, with all sorts of crafts, clothing, spices. They set it up right outside our headquarters."
The Caribbean has a higher rate of HIV-positive adults than any other place outside Sub-Saharan Africa. Cabey-Edwards hopes to partner with Ivy Moses, director of Helping Others in a Positive Environment (HOPE), in educating the community about the virus. HOPE is the only grassroots 501(c)(3) social-service agency in the St. Thomas-St. John District of the U.S. Virgin Islands dedicated to serving the HIV/AIDS community.
"We are not doing programs yet, but we have a small group of women — including high school and University of the Virgin Islands students — meeting monthly to try to get us on track in anticipation of starting a Y-Teen group early next year," she says. "We need volunteers now. We need bodies."
The group has an office at 39 First Ave. in Sugar Estate.
"It's a start," Edwards-Cabey says. "A work in progress. Right now we need furnishings, but it will be the base for our meetings."
The 150-year old organization is a unique in offering women and girls opportunities to build long-term leadership abilities. It will develop local Big Sister, Big Brother mentoring programs. Edwards-Cabey says she could find no former YWCA group in the islands, checking records at the lieutenant governor's office.
"There is a small YMCA group, which we will be working with, beginning with an upcoming event," she says.
What is on her mind right now is that event, the World YMCA and YWCA Week of Prayer Nov. 11 through Nov. 17.
"That's where my energy is going now," she says. "We have two main activities, starting off with a children's service at 4:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Church in Sugar Estate on Nov. 11, and winding up with a celebration at Emancipation Garden on Nov. 17."
It's a youth prayer and praise rally and cake sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. But that's not all.
"We will have music — several youth groups, Quelbe, a kid's rap group, a dance group and steel pans all will be taking part."
During the week, there will be devotional programs on selected radio stations, she says. A schedule of all the activities will come out next week.
Members of the V.I. YWCA organizing committee are Brenda Vanterpool, first vice president; Eveth Vialet, second vice president; Carol Callwood, secretary; Hilaire Baker, treasurer; Merle Malone, chaplain; and Jacqueline Barnes, assistant secretary-treasurer, along with members Valeria Skeete, Grace Rhymer, Nicole Turnbull, Alenia Buncome, Pricilla Stridiron, Blanche Frazer, Renee Knight and Vernecia Gumbs.
To volunteer, call 774-7755 or 626-9804.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
