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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsOn Island Profile: Mary Mingus Hasn't Slowed Down

On Island Profile: Mary Mingus Hasn’t Slowed Down

Mary Mingus, right, takes part in a 2011 fundraiser for the Woman's Coalition. (Source file photo)Mary Mingus retired last year after 33 years at the helm of the Women’s Coalition, but she isn’t sitting in a rocking chair twiddling her thumbs. Mingus is still busy helping women on St. Croix who long for a better life.

"My life’s passion has been working with women and helping them," Mingus said.

Mingus, along with other women, is helping organize Fresh Start, a grassroots organization that teaches women how to sew and earn incomes as seamstresses.

"We’re going to teach women to sew and the skills to empower them to move on in their lives," Mingus said.

She said classes are expected to begin in January at Lime Tree Court in Frederiksted. Mingus added she doesn’t know how to sew, but said she is a good organizer.

Her organizational skills led to the development of the Women’s Coalition in 1981. Mingus said she attended a women’s writers symposium with Gloria Joseph and Audre Lorde that led to discussions about the plight of women involved in domestic violence and abuse. As a result of those discussions, some of the attendees began meeting on a regular basis.

She said that at the time there weren’t any laws or any response to violence on St. Croix by officials and the police.

Mingus said she became the director of the Women’s Coalition by default. Others in the grass roots group felt she had the most time, because she was a stay-at-home mom with her two little ones. She said she was energetic and the women’s issues were important to her, being a woman and having two daughters.

During her years volunteering and as a director and later a co-director at the coalition, they started an advocacy program at the hospital for victims of abuse and assault. She helped train volunteers in crisis intervention and worked with the police department to tackle violence against women. She wrote grants and worked with senators writing laws.

Mary Mingus points to damage from a fire that destroyed the coalition's office. (Source file photo)The group was working to combat racism, sexism and oppression, all at the same time, she said. They opened an office in 1984 and then had enough funds to purchase an office on East Street in Christiansted in 1989. The coalition proceeded to open a shelter, thrift store, and children’s center. After a 2011 fire destroyed their East Street office, they have opened a new office on Fisher Street.

Mingus, one of seven children, said her mother, Mary Cavanaugh, who influenced her to give back to her community. She said after so many years of being exposed to traumatic things it was totally time to move on.

The change has been good for her, she said.

"Since I’ve retired people keep asking me if I’m leaving St. Croix," Mingus said. "I’m not leaving. I love it on St. Croix and I’m really happy to be here and enjoying retirement. The adjustment to retirement has been good and I’m very happy," Mingus said.

She said she’s having a great time playing tennis, traveling, taking art lessons and going to the beach. She has even taken up paddle boarding. She is an educator at heart and tutors children in reading.

Mingus moved to St. Croix in 1972 to take a teaching position at Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School, which had just opened. She heard about the recruitment of teachers to St. Croix after graduating from Cabrina College and earning her master’s degree from New York University.

"As a young woman, teaching on St. Croix sounded like a wonderful opportunity and experience," Mingus said.

She spent 11 years teaching at Pearl B. Larsen.

"I had a joyful and very active teaching career at Pearl B. Larsen," Mingus said. Mingus said she often sees students of hers that have become doctors and lawyers and she is proud to have been a part of their lives.

When asked about her greatest accomplishment she believes it is yet to come, and it may be with the future success of Fresh Start. She hopes to continue to reach out and touch individuals in a positive way.

People who want to donate donate fabric and sewing supplies or volunteer at Fresh Start can call Mingus at 340-643-9272.

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