As told by Abishag France 

Angeline van Heyningen born Artsen, I call her Mommy. She is, in one word, selfless. She's always made sure her family has what they need and want even if she doesn't get anything in return.

She would speak in St. Martin English when she is angry. When I was about 7 or 8 years old, I asked her for money. I went up the road to a store and bought her a vase for her birthday. It made her so happy. It was my first gift to her and she still has to this day. That's over 20 years ago! 

As told by Ester Bradshaw-Gumbs

My mother is Sylvina Gumbs, affectionately known as Momsy or Sna (short for Sylvina). I would use the word Queen to describe her. I know that most people will say that their mom is their queen, but really, my mother walks and talks like she is royalty. When people see her, they describe her as a queen.

Well, that is funny because Momsy, when angry, will let loose her St. Martin northern dialect as she was raised in Galisbay, Marigot and regulary she speaks with a Great Bay dialect.

As told by Tamara Groeneveldt

As told by Tatiana Arrindell

My mother's name is Carline ARRINDELL -Cox. I call her Cox, her maiden name. No particular reason, my dad calls her that so my brother and I just took it over, just as my mom calls my dad Arrindell. Never understood it and never asked. Maybe one day I might.

Giving. I chose that word to describe her because my mom gave up so much of herself for her family and many women on St. Maarten. Born and raised in Trinidad, my mother traveled with a church group to Aruba almost 40 years ago where she met my dad. They've been inseparable ever since. Even when my dad moved to Holland to finish his studies, she moved there without hesitation and learned to speak Dutch. When my dad got his job with the Government of St. Maarten, my mom moved us all here (not having any relatives living in either place). 

As told by Geesha Alaran-Williams

My mom is Trinidadian and moved to St. Maarten with my dad in the early 70s. My dad worked at (Divi) Little Bay Beach Hotel from the early 70s until the mid-90s. Because of his job as head of maintenance/electrician, he worked 24/7 (on call) and we lived in a small house on the hotel’s premises opposite the tennis court. Where our house once stood is now a parking lot.

My mother’s name is Eris Williams (born St. Cyr Bowen). I call her mum or mummy. I would use the word supportive to describe her. My mom always knows what is going on with her children and grandchildren and shows her support whether she is near or far. Even if she does not approve of what we decide to do, she is always supportive and puts her trust in the Almighty to guide and keep us.

When she was angry, she would speak English with a strong Trinidadian accent. She usually threw in some expressions and sayings her mother used (and a lot which she invented herself). 

As told by Akilah Meulens

To many she’s known as Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, Rhoda Arrindell, or just Rhoda. To my brother and I, she’s “mumz” or “ma”.  If I absolutely had to choose just one word to describe her, it would be superwoman, because it best sums up all that she is. She is hard working, strong-minded, and graceful in everything she does.

On the rare occasions that she’s angry, she speaks in the same language/dialect she speaks when she’s happy, calm, etc. In “S’matin English”. She’s usually just happy with anything my brother and I do to express our appreciation/love for her. But the most I’ve seen her smile was when I was around 11, and he was 4 and we cooked or at least tried to cook something for her so she could come from work and get something to eat. Needless to say, whatever it was that we made was inedible to say the least, and she made us dinner, but it put such a smile on her face.