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In Honor of Black History Month, AARP VI Salutes the Four Queens of St. Croix
AARP Proudly Lifts Up the Legacy of the Four Queens of St. Croix
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In honor of Black History Month, AARP VI proudly lifts up the legacy of the Four Queens of St. Croix - Queen Mary Thomas, Queen Agnes Salomon, Queen Mathilda McBean, and Queen Susanna Abrahamson - extraordinary Black women whose courage and leadership helped shape the course of Virgin Island history. In 1878, these queens stood at the forefront of the Fireburn labor revolt on St. Croix, organizing workers and demanding dignity, fair wages, and humane treatment during a time of deep injustice. Their actions were bold, strategic, and rooted in community, proving that leadership does not require a title - only purpose and resolve.
Though their resistance came at great physical cost, including imprisonment, the Queens' legacy endures as a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and vision of Crucian women. Their story is not only one of protest, but of hope - hope that collective action can create change, and that voices long ignored can still reshape the future. As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the Four Queens of St. Croix for lighting a path toward justice that continues to inspire generations across the Virgin Islands and beyond.
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