A native Virgin Islander
CAROL O’BRYAN HENNEMAN is the second daughter of James A. O’Bryan, Sr. (now deceased) and Elsa Dorothea O’Bryan (nee Oliver).  Mrs. Henneman graduated from the Charlotte Amalie High School in 1971. She graduated from the College of the Virgin Islands in 1976 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Secondary Education cum laude.
                She began her teaching career at her alma mater in January 1976 and left shortly after to attend graduate school at the University of Connecticut.  She received a Master’s Degree in English Secondary Education and returned to the Charlotte Amalie High School.  After teaching in the English Department for eighteen years and as an adjunct professor at the College and University of the Virgin Islands, Mrs. Henneman left to become Acting Commissioner of the Department of Education in the administration of Governor Roy L. Schneider.  Upon the hiring of Dr. James E. Cheek as Commissioner, Mrs. Henneman served two years as Assistant Commissioner.  Upon leaving that assignment, Mrs. Henneman served as a home school instructor and continued to teach part time at the University of the Virgin Islands.  In 2002, Mrs. Henneman became Assistant Professor at the University of the Virgin Islands and served their full time in the Humanities Division until 2005.
            Upon leaving the University, Mrs. Henneman worked one year with the Virgin Islands Port Authority as an executive assistant to the executive director and also worked as the public information officer.  She then applied and was hired as Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Board of Education and has now served in this capacity for almost three years.  During her teaching years, Mrs. Henneman also worked as a media specialist to Senators Osbert Potter and Judy M. Gomez.  She also served for two years as media specialist to Governor Charles W. Turnbull.  Earlier in her teaching years, Mrs. Henneman served as a teacher and counselor for the Upward Bound Program at the University of the Virgin Islands for almost ten years.  Moreover, she also tutored students of the Rising Stars Steel Youth Orchestra in their afternoon tutorial programs.

            Mrs. Henneman has published poetry, short stories in anthologies, and she also has published 140 essays in the Virgin Islands Daily News.  She has also been honored by local organizations: the Business and Professional Women (Woman of the Year Award 1984); the SHEROE Award by Senator Allie Petrus; the NGUZO SABA Award – NIA from the Edward Wilmot Blyden Society; The Woman of Distinction Award by Senator Roosevelt David.  Her biography is listed in Who’s Who in American Education; Who’s Who Among American Teachers; Who’s Who in the World.  Her poetry has also received national awards and is listed in national anthologies.

            She is affiliated with the Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church as a longtime member, an assisting minister, a Sunday school teacher, and a church council member.  Mrs. Henneman is also a member of the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Epsilon Zeta Chapter.  A founding member, Mrs. Henneman is part of the Virgin Islanders for Responsive Government.  She also serves as a member of the National School Board Association, Council of Urban Educators (CUBE), the National Black Caucus of the NSBA (National School Board Association) and is a board member of the Northeast and Islands Regional Lab (NEIREL).  Presently, Mrs. Henneman hosts a talk show called Sankofa Vibes every Thursday at 7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. on 103.5 DaVybe.

            Mrs. Henneman has been married for 37 years to Myron “Buddy” Henneman and has two children: Kareem, a former marine, now deceased; and Alani, 31, the public relations manager for the Department of Tourism. Her philosophy of life can be summed up in these words: “The purpose of life is to glorify God through service to others.”