Lucille Mathurin Mair is a well-known historian, author, teacher, activist and diplomat. She taught at the University of the West Indies for several years and has been honoured for her work in the field of international relations and women's rights. Hilary McD. Beckles is Professor of Social and Economic History, Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal, University of the West Indies, Barbados. He has published extensively on Caribbean slavery, gender, history and sports. Verene A. Shepherd is Professor of Social History, Department of History, University of the West Indies, Jamaica. She has published widely on Caribbean slavery, gender, history and the Indo-Caribbean experience.