Senator Carla J. Joseph is a second consecutive term Senator representing the St. Thomas/St. John District after being re-elected in the 2022 general election. As a freshman Senator in the 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, Senator Joseph Chaired the Committee on Government Operations and Consumer Protection and built a reputation for being a strong advocate for government accountability and transparency.
In her bid for re-election, Senator Joseph declared her top priorities for the Territory to include Crime Prevention, Youth Empowerment, Health Care, Housing, and Environmental Preservation. She says they collectively impact the outcome of our Territory’s future.
Senator Joseph’s passion for youth empowerment led her to secure funding for the Boys and Girls Club, Marine Vocational Program, and Little League Clubs. Additionally, propelled by her mission for environmental justice, Senator Joseph championed legislation restricting the operation of bars and restaurants in densely populated residential areas.
Before being elected, Senator Joseph worked in the Legislature for ten (10) consecutive years in various positions culminating as Chief of Staff; and also, for over ten years at the Virgin Islands Housing Authority, where she successfully managed two (2) federally funded programs geared toward leadership and workforce development. Her track record in managing federal grants is zero federal report findings and zero funding returned to the federal government.
In 2014, Senator Joseph was recognized as the Law Enforcement Planning Commission Person of the Year for her work with disadvantaged young people and for advocating for social justice. Also in 2014, Senator Joseph was elected to the Virgin Islands Board of Elections; and served as Secretary of the St. Thomas/St. John District Board and Vice-Chair of the Joint Board. In addition, she served as Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands, representing the VI as a Delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, where she proudly cast her vote for President Joseph Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris.
During her tenure as a member and a past President of the Environmental Association of St. Thomas/St. John, Senator Joseph advocated for a balance between environmental conservation and development. One of Senator Joseph’s most significant achievements as President of EAST was the lobbying efforts she led, which resulted in the government’s purchase of Smith Bay Park, one of the last remaining pristine shorelines on the East end of St. Thomas. She continues to be a passionately driven public servant, grassroots organizer, and advocate for social and environmental justice.
Senator Joseph is the youngest of four (4) children born to the late Frances Camilla “Girleta” Joseph of Jennings Village in Antigua and Barbuda. She is the only child born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, to Sylvester and Frances Joseph.
Senator Joseph is an active member of the Memorial Moravian Church and the parent of three girls and has one grandchild. She is a product of public housing, having resided in the Bovoni and Oswald Harris Court Communities, a 1988 Ivanna Eudora Kean High School graduate, and a UVI graduate. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Public Manager certification. Her life motto remains “People help people, and God helps us all.”
