Born: 1887 (Saint Thomas, Danish Virgin Islands)
Died: 1987
Biography:
Edith L. Williams (August 17, 1887 – June 9, 1987) was a United States Virgin Islands educator, women’s rights activist, and suffragist. She played a crucial role in the fight for women’s suffrage in the Virgin Islands, eventually leading to the right to vote for literate and property-owning women. Williams’ pioneering efforts and dedication to education have left an indelible mark on the history of the Virgin Islands.
Born on August 17, 1887, on the island of Saint Thomas in the Danish Virgin Islands, Edith L. Williams was the daughter of parents who were both born on Saint Croix. From a young age, Williams showed great talent in cricket and became a member of the Harlem Virgin Islands Girls team. She even had the opportunity to travel to the United States to compete in cricket matches. Williams was not only a skilled batter and bowler but also took the initiative to organize a girls’ softball team in St. Thomas.
After completing her education at the age of 13 in the Moravian Church-run missionary schools, Williams embarked on a career in education. In 1900, she began teaching at the Moravian Town School in Charlotte Amalie. Early in her career, Williams joined forces with other women to improve the lives of teachers and students. Together, they established the St. Thomas Teachers’ Association and advocated for the establishment of a Teachers’ Institute to train candidates and enhance the quality of education on the island. The Association also played a vital role in graduating the first high school students in 1931 and contributing to the establishment of high school education in the Virgin Islands.
In 1917, Williams transferred to George Washington Elementary School, marking an important milestone in her career. It was during this time that the Danish West Indies, including the Virgin Islands, were sold to the United States, and the Colonial Law of 1906 was retained for governance in the unincorporated territory. As women in the United States gained the right to vote in 1920 through the Nineteenth Amendment, it was widely believed that Virgin Islands women already had suffrage due to the 1915 extension of the franchise to Danish women. However, in 1921, the U.S. Supreme Court clarified that constitutional rights did not extend to residents of the Virgin Islands.
Undeterred by this setback, Edith L. Williams became the first woman to attempt to vote in the Virgin Islands. When her right to register was denied, she, along with Eulalie Stevens and Anna M. Vessup, petitioned the court to review their qualifications. This landmark case led to their victory, and as a result, literate and property-owning women throughout the Virgin Islands were granted the right to vote.
Edith L. Williams’ dedication to women’s rights and education has been recognized and honored in various ways. A bust of Williams was installed in the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Veterans Memorial Park in Charlotte Amalie, commemorating her significant contributions. Furthermore, in 1981, James Madison Elementary School was renamed the Edith L. Williams School, paying tribute to her tireless efforts to improve education in the Virgin Islands.
Edith L. Williams’ impact on society extended far beyond her lifetime. Her commitment to women’s suffrage and educational reforms paved the way for future generations, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women in the Virgin Islands. She will forever be remembered as a trailblazer and advocate for positive change in women’s history.