Mary Mingus
Clema S. Williams-Lewis
Co-Directors
Women's Coalition of St. Croix
7 East Street
PO Box 222734
Christiansted, ST. Croix, VI 00822
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Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands chooses to honor The Women's Coalition of St.
Croix and its dynamic co-Directors, Mary Mingus and Clema S.
Williams-Lewis. Since its start in 1981, the Women's Coalition has
expanded to include 18 paid staff members, as well as opened a shelter
for battered women and their children, a Closet-to-Closet Thrift Shop,
and, recently, the Alice Pfaelzer Children's Center. Few organizations
have had more positive impact than the Woman's Coalition. For over
24 years, the Women's Coalition has provided services free of charge
to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual assault, and
other victims of crime.
Mary Mingus adopted the cause of the Women's Coalition of St. Croix
in 1981, taking a year's sabbatical and working 12-hour days without
pay for many years to develop a 24-hour program for sexual assault
victims. Subsequently, she left her teaching career and, as a founding
member, became the first Executive Director of the Women's Coalition.
Thanks to the efforts of the Women's Coalition and Mary Mingus,
thousands have received the help they critically need. She has received
numerous awards honoring her work, including: the Sunshine Lady
Peace Award, 2003; the Delta Sigma Theta Community Service Award,
2005; the Virgin Islands Hall of Fame Award, 2005; and the I Am Proud
of You Award, given by the Hispanic Community, 2005.
Clema S. Williams-Lewis, who has a master's degree in counselor
education and is a nationally certified counselor, has been working with
the Women's Coalition of St. Croix since 1982. Prior to her current
position as co-Director, she worked for the Coalition in the capacity of
volunteer advocate, Chair of Advocates, Coordinator of Training and
Support Groups, Chair of the Board of Directors, Supervisor of Summer
Staff, and Assistant Director. Ms. Williams-Lewis participates in numerous
community and national groups, including as Chair of the St. Croix
Child Abuse and Neglect Task Force and Secretary for the Virgin Islands
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council. Recent honors include
National Association of Social Workers Award for Citizen of the Year,
2002; Sunshine Lady Peace Award, 2003; and Virgin Island's Women
Hall of Fame, 2005.
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