Winifred Loving, born in Boston to Rev. and Mrs. James Loving, was educated in Boston public schools and received her bachelor’s degree from Newton College of the Sacred Heart and a Master of Science in Education from Wheelock College.

​

During early travels to Ghana, she was given the pen name Oyoko, meaning “member of a royal clan.” She has since traveled extensively across Africa, the Philippines, Hawaii, and Europe. After graduate school, she moved to St. Croix, where she taught elementary school for thirty-one years and published two books of poetry, "Remember When" and "Spontaneous." In 1984, she taught in London through the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program and even lunched with Princess Diana.

​

Oyoko is married to sailor and boat builder Inglore Westerman and has two adult children, Khema and Johnathan. She enjoys spoken word, gospel music, and live poetry readings. Her works have been published in the Bay State Banner, St. Croix Avis, Daily News, The Voice, Caribbean Writer, Poets and Writers, and Cosmopolitan Magazine. She also performs her poetry on WSTX radio 970 AM.

​

Since retiring, Ms. Loving has published three illustrated children’s storybooks inspired by her love for her three granddaughters: "My Name is Freedom," "My Grandma Loves to Play," and "Jeepney Love." Her fondest wish is to open a children’s museum on St. Croix, a project she helped start in 2017. Together with many talented and devoted people, she is working hard to make this dream a reality.