In Amazonia of the Caribbean, we explore the early 20th century on St. Eustatius, when migration and hardship gave rise to a powerful matrifocal society. With men away at sea, in oil fields, or in war, women anchored homes, raised children, ran farms, and led communities.

Through oral histories and expert insights, we uncover how station women without titles or formal authority became the foundation of resilience. From backyards to bakeries, their leadership shaped a cultural legacy of quiet strength, enduring care, and generational survival. Their story is not mythology—it’s the living truth behind the phrase “the women held the island together.”

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Produced by Simpler Media