As VI History Struggles in Schools, a St. Thomas Native Teaches Thousands on Social Media

While education officials in the U.S. Virgin Islands still work on figuring out the kinks when it comes to incorporating Virgin Islands History in the public school curriculum, one native Virgin Islander is using social media to make local history more accessible.  Shani DeWindt was born and raised in St. Thomas and has traced her paternal lineage in the Virgin Islands at least eight generations. The DeWindt name is Dutch, with her family moving to the territory from St. Eustacius generations ago. Growing up, Ms. DeWindt told the Consortium, her family exposed her to local history and was themselves “a part of making Virgin Islands history.” Several family members played integral roles in various administrations.  Ms. DeWindt, who skipped 9th Grade and moved to the mainland for college at only age 15, “never had a Virgin Islands history class.” Despite a thriving career in politics in Washington D.C., Ms. DeWindt always remained enchanted by the history of her home. She told the Cons...