A new group deemed “Moms for Stacey” held their first meeting Wednesday at the historic Bjerget House in Christiansted. Organized by Ashley Bouzianis, marketing director for Bohlke International Airways and AeroMD, the group was comprised of approximately 20 women from a wide variety of roles in the community. The moms gathered to share brunch with Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett and discuss the current issues most pressing to families in the territory.
“As a mother and new grandmother, it is important to me to stay in-touch with young moms in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Plaskett.
This new community group of St. Croix moms includes physicians, artists, entrepreneurs and educators. Parents who homeschool along with stay-at-home mothers were represented. Parents with children attending private, public, Montessori and parochial schools also joined.
“When given the opportunity to start this group, I wanted to invite women that represent the depth and breadth of moms in our island community to engage with our congresswoman on an on-going basis,” said the group’s founder Ashley Bouzianis.
“I was pleased with the open and active discussion in this initial meeting. From U.S.V.I. teens potentially qualifying for in-state tuition at any U.S. college or university, to island playgrounds and school uniforms, we covered a lot. But more than simply highlighting issues, we found ways to work together to solve problems our children face. Many of us left with next steps to take action,” said Bouzianis.
Moms for Stacey meetings are slated to continue quarterly with expansion for additional attendees. The event was co-sponsored by Broadband VI and Bohlke International Airways.
Congresswoman Plaskett represents the United States Virgin Islands’ at-large congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. She currently serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. She is also a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, where she serves as the chair of the subcommittee on biotechnology, horticulture and research. Plaskett serves in the Democratic Caucus as a senior whip.
More information may be found at www.Plaskett.House.gov or by calling the Frederiksted office at 778-5900.
