Lilliana Belardo De O’Neal: Woman of Great Destiny

M.A. Dworkin

Lilliana Belardo De O’Neal

Lilliana Belardo De O’Neal is a woman who was destined to live a life of great accomplishments. She has become an iconic figure, a role model and an inspiration to countless Crucian women who have had the privilege to cross her path and set their sights on her winning style. She has fought the hard battles of life and politics with the grace of a Princess and the steady hand of a Diplomat. 

Ms. Belardo De O’Neal served 18 years as Senator in the VIrgin Islands Legislature. She has been employed by the VI Department of Education as a School Counselor and served in the Virgin Islands National Guard for 16 years. She owned the Paradise Sunset Beach Hotel with her husband and was Chairperson of the VI-Puerto Rico Committee. She was recently elected as a Delegate to the 6th USVI Constitutional Convention and was re-elected to serve another term on the Virgin Islands Board of Elections St. Croix District.  As a sideline to all this activity, this amazing force of nature also owns a Food Truck with her husband, Humberto,  who is the chef. 

The Food Pavilion at the Agriculture & Food Fair (AgriFest) now bears the names Humberto O’Neal and Lilliana De O’Neal who are described by Willard John  (well-known for his group Guardians of Culture Mocko Jumbies) as the “Dynamic Duo,” a couple who have become cultural staples in the Virgin Islands. They have been vending at various events, including AgriFest, for over four decades.

So to say Lilliana has done it all, is an understatement. She has scaled the walls of politics, business, military and civic duty, and time and again has come out at the top of the heap with both an educated and yet homespun view of the Virgin Islands. And as Sinatra might croon: To say she did all that, but not in a shy way…She did it Her Way.

Ms. Bellardo De O’Neal earned a B.A. from Inter-American University of Puerto Rico and a Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan. 

She is a pioneer in the true sense of the word. Not at all afraid to walk the path where few dare to go. A Republican in a Democratic dominated government, she is well respected for her outspoken points of view and her willingness to compromise for the good of the people she serves. 

“Coming from a big family (She had 10 brothers and sisters), I had dreams and visions for myself,” she told the St. Croix Times. “At that time it was not thought that a Puerto Rican woman should be involved in politics. I had to break away from my parents’ tradition. I finished high school and went to university. I became the Director of the only girls training school we had.”

The St. Croix Times was interested to know how she got her start in politics.

“I was a school counselor for a long time. And being in that position I just naturally got involved with school politics and politics in general. Ultimately, I decided to leave education and step into political life full time,” Lilliana recalled. “And because of the associations I had made with so many students and their parents, I won my election on the first round mainly because the kids helped me. One of the mother’s told me that her child said to her, “Don’t forget to vote for Miss Belardo when you cast your ballot.”         

For all her years in the Legislature, she was known as a strong voice, a mover and shaker who could get things done. 

“I served in the V.I. National Guard for sixteen years. If we ever had to go to war, I was ready,” she proudly proclaimed.

The St. Croix Times couldn’t help but reply: “The enemy wouldn’t bother going to war if they knew she was on the other side.”

“My Hispanic Heritage means a great deal to me,” she said. “My family came over from Vieques and I was born on St. Croix. We would go back to Vieques every summer to visit. But my parents made St. Croix their home. I’m proud to be a native Crucian. And proud of my Hispanic friends and proud of my parents. We have a culture in Puerto Rico and we have a culture here on St. Croix. It has benefited me in both ways.”