WHEREAS, Women’s History Month is an important opportunity for Virginians to pause and honor the profound contributions that women pioneers and trailblazers have made toward safeguarding the freedoms we hold so dear. Virginia is a beacon of liberty built by millions of patriotic and often unsung women. Women have served and shaped the Commonwealth in the workplace, the home and the war front; and, 

WHEREAS, the quiet courage and immense sacrifice of women tells the story of Virginia’s history. Martha Washington, the nation’s inaugural first lady, was born in the Commonwealth and is often remembered for her leadership in support of the Revolutionary War by calling women to provide resources. Many historical accounts of pioneers, trailblazers and groundbreaking women contribute to our strong foundation of American values, scientific achievement, and entrepreneurship; and,

WHEREAS, pioneers in women’s suffrage, such as Richmond-native Lila Meade Valentine, paved the way for women to vote and blazed the trail for women to hold public office. The passion of Valentine and many others opened the door for the strong presence of women serving in our General Assembly; and,

WHEREAS, some women, while not included in the pages of a history book, have made contributions no less vital. Civic leader and social reformer Ora E. Brown Stokes from Chesterfield County worked tirelessly for a women’s right to vote and receive an education. Today, women constitute the majority of the student population at Virginia colleges and universities. Through strengthening and enriching society by impacting every field from business to medicine to government to the arts, women continue to nurture the family while fueling innovation, as well as the growth and success of tomorrow’s leaders; and,

WHEREAS, we remember the legacy and work of Katherine Johnson, a dynamic American mathematician who spent her thirty-three year career at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton. Johnson calculated the precise trajectories that would allow the successful landing of Apollo 11 on the moon in 1969; and,

WHEREAS, I encourage all Virginians to join me in appreciating the past, present and future contributions of women in the Commonwealth. We must empower future generations of women leaders and innovators while honoring their contributions to our Commonwealth across all fields both inside and outside the home;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, salute the First Lady of the Commonwealth, Suzanne Youngkin, and all women who have held this position, and do hereby recognize March 2022 as Women’s History Month in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA as part of our observance that honors the history and achievements of women in Virginia and across America.