As we conclude the first quarter of 2026, the global energy crisis driven in part by ongoing conflict in the Middle East is expected to further strain affordability across the Virgin Islands. Rising fuel costs will continue to ripple through our economy, increasing the price of electricity, food, transportation, and everyday living. For many families, the pressure is already real.
And yet, I am still hopeful. Virgin Islanders have never been defined by crisis. We have always been defined by how we respond to it. We have faced hardship before. And time and again, we have risen to the occasion.
Reflecting on our past is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is a reminder of what we are capable of. My own story, rooted right here in the Virgin Islands, shapes my belief in who we are and what we can achieve together.
I remember growing up in Hospital Ground (round-deh-field) on St. Thomas, spending afternoons at my father’s auto mechanic garage. The sounds of engines, the smell of oil and metal, and the constant movement of people left a lasting impression. My siblings and I ran a small shop nearby, selling snacks to help cover basic needs like school uniforms. We were young, but we understood responsibility. We understood hustle. We understood that if we wanted something, we had to work for it.
Later, in the Donoe Housing Community, I saw that same resilience in my mother. She worked tirelessly at Tropical Shipping and the University of the Virgin Islands to provide for our family. But we were never alone. Neighbors looked out for us. The community stepped in where needed. There was an unspoken understanding that we take care of each other. That was the Virgin Islands I knew. And while times were not easy, there was something powerful that carried us through, trust in one another and confidence that together, we could overcome anything.
Today, that confidence is being tested. We are experiencing a period of slow recovery from the hurricanes of 2017, burdened by failing infrastructure, poor fiscal management, and, at times, a lack of clear priorities. Our energy system is unreliable and expensive. Our healthcare system is fragile. Schools are under-resourced. The cost of living continues to rise faster than we can keep up with.
And most concerning, public trust has eroded. When systems don’t work, when leadership lacks focus, and when progress feels stalled, people begin to lose faith. Our community begins to look elsewhere for opportunity, not because we want to leave, but because we feel we have no choice.
But I refuse to accept that as our future. Because the truth is we are not without solutions. What we have lacked is alignment, discipline, and the willingness to make tough decisions. If we are serious about improving quality of life in this territory, we must start with clear priorities and bold, decisive action.
We must confront our energy crisis head-on. Fixing our energy system is not optional; it is foundational. Reliable and affordable energy will reduce the cost of living, strengthen businesses, stabilize government operations, and restore confidence across every sector of our economy.
We must also commit to responsible fiscal management, spending wisely, planning strategically, and ensuring that every dollar delivers value to the people. We must rebuild our institutions, not just structurally, but ethically, restoring integrity, transparency, and accountability in how we govern. And we must invest intentionally in our people, through quality education, accessible healthcare, and pathways to economic opportunity.
None of this will be easy. It will require discipline. It will require sacrifice. And it will require leadership that is willing to make hard choices, not popular ones, but necessary ones.
But I remain hopeful because I see the spirit of the Virgin Islands alive every day. I see it when neighbors check on elders during power outages. I see it when teachers go beyond their classrooms to support our children. I see it when community organizations come together to lift others in times of need.
That spirit has never left us. It is our foundation and it is our path forward. We can build a Virgin Islands defined by reliability, opportunity, and integrity. A Virgin Islands where systems work, where families can afford to live, and where future generations can thrive without having to leave home.
But hope alone will not get us there. Hope must be matched with action. Vision must be backed by execution. And leadership must be rooted in accountability and results.
As we move through this year, I invite all of us to recommit—not just to believing in a better Virgin Islands, but to building it together. Because our history has already shown us what is possible. Now it is up to us to deliver.
Donna Frett Gregory,
—Donna Frett-Gregory served as Senator in the 33rd, 34th, and 35th Legislatures of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Beyond public service, Frett-Gregory is the Chief Operating Officer of PivotPoint Strategies and executive director of DFG Community Impact Foundation of the Virgin Islands, a Non-profit organization.
