Women+girls (W+g)
Encouraging Women+girls to Strengthen the Spirit of Virginiae
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Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin in front of the ItOnlyTakesOne sign | |
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Yesterday, the First Lady and Attorney General Jason Miyares announced the launch of their Fentanyl Awareness Pilot Program, @ItOnlyTakesOneVA in Roanoke, Virginia. This first-of-its-kind Virginia Department of Health Initiative is being supported by the First Lady, the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and the Attorney General's 'One Pill Can Kill' campaign to elevate awareness and resources to Virginians about the dangers of fentanyl poisoning.
Compounding the work that leaders in the Roanoke region have already done to combat this deadly epidemic, the @ItOnlyTakesOneVA media campaign along with the ItOnlyTakesOneVA.com website will support the mission to save lives through education.
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Pictured: The First Lady, Attorney General Miyares and local leaders at a panel discussion. | |
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The First Lady was glad to join Attorney General Miyares and local law enforcement, school, DEA and faith-based leaders at a panel event to discuss the dangers of fentanyl. Potomac Valley Church held a free Revive! Narcan training after their discussion.
Click here to watch more about the event.
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Violence Response Team Clinic
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On her visit to the Violence Response Team (VRT) Clinic in Richmond last week, the First Lady was excited to learn about the work the men and women of Bon Secours are doing to provide care to victims of violence in the Commonwealth.
The VRT offers wrap-around support services like specialized medical attention, emotional and advocacy support, hospital accompaniment, follow-up phone calls and more to ensure each individual receives the help they need.
To learn more about the community teams throughout the Commonwealth, click here.
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Pictured: The First Lady with a nurse at the Violence Response Team Clinic | Pictured: The First Lady with support staff at the Violence Response Team Clinic | |
Commonwealth Freedom Conversation | |
Pictured: The First Lady presents Proclamation declaring National Human Trafficking Day on January 11th, 2024 | |
Pictured: The First Lady with participants from the Commonwealth Freedom Conversation | |
In honor of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the First Lady was privileged to join the Commonwealth Freedom Conversation hosted by the Libertas Council and deliver a copy of the Governor's proclamation declaring January 11th as Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Virginia. Together, stakeholders, nonprofit leaders, survivors and community members joined to discuss key challenges and opportunities in the fight against human trafficking. To learn more about what Virginia is doing to eradicate human trafficking, read: The Virginia Human Trafficking Resource Guide. | |
Pictured: The First Lady with a teacher and students | |
Pictured: Art project on the wall of a cafeteria | |
Recognizing the critical role early education plays in the lives of children, the First Lady was happy to join the staff and students at the Anna Julia Cooper School, a community that aims to "love, educate, and uplift its students and graduates so that they may realize their God-given gifts." | |
Female Legislator Reception | |
Pictured: The First Lady with female legislators in the Executive Mansion | |
The First Lady opened the doors of the Executive Mansion this month to welcome female legislators to breakfast before getting to work to serve Virginia in the 2024 General Assembly Session. Together, Republican and Democratic members of the House and Senate, the Lieutenant Governor, and female members of the Governor's Office celebrated the historic number of women represented in this year's General Assembly and the transformational work to come. Uplifting Virginia's Women+girls is a critical mission of the Office of the First Lady. To learn more about the First Lady's women-focused initiatives, visit: https://www.firstlady.virginia.gov/ | |
Virginia Commission for the Arts Passport Program | |
Pictured: The First Lady talking to dancers backstage | |
Pictured: The First Lady with ballet dancers backstage | |
Celebrating the launch of the 'Passport Program' for Virginia’s Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) participants, the First Lady was thrilled to attend the Latin Ballet of Virginia’s Legend of the Poinsettia performance. Presented free of charge to high school students from the Richmond region, the performance is one of many that can be accessed through this unique, first-of-its-kind partnership between the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH). To find out more about access to free or reduced admission arts performances and classes for Virginia’s most deserving WIC participants, visit here. | |
Pictured: The First Lady with students and educators at the VCU x Code RVA ribbon cutting | |
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In honor of #InternationalDayofEducation on January 14th, the First Lady was on hand to laud the first-of-its-kind, VCU x CodeRVA ‘Lab School’. By embracing the Lab School model -- a marriage of skills-building in high school via partnership with institutions of higher learning -- the First Lady is proud of all those working to innovate to make Virginia the best place in the nation to receive an education.
To learn more about VCU x CodeRVA, click here.
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Governor's Fellows Program | |
Pictured: The 2023 Governor's Fellows | |
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The Governor’s Fellows Program is a prestigious opportunity for rising seniors and recent college graduates from Virginia or those attending a higher education institution in Virginia to get a firsthand look at the executive branch in action. Since 1982, fellows have worked alongside the Governor’s Cabinet and staff, learning about state government and assisting in essential work for the Commonwealth.
Applications are now open and the First Lady encourages all who qualify to apply, here.
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Pictured: The First Lady with the 2023 Governor's Fellows | |
Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) report | |
Pictured: The First Lady with Randy Cohen and Scott Garka at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture | |
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Recognizing the far-reaching impact the arts have on the Commonwealth's past, present and future, the First Lady was grateful to learn more about the economic impact of the arts in the Commonwealth and beyond.
The newest data recently revealed by the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) report will shed light on just how important the arts are to a strong economy, and the impact they have on Virginia's growing workforce. To learn more, click here.
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Future Farmers of America (FFA) Roundtable | |
Pictured: The First Lady with FFA state leaders at a roundtable discussion | |
Pictured: The First Lady smiling with FFA state leader | |
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As the #1 industry in Virginia, agriculture is essential to the Commonwealth. During this year's General Assembly session, the First Lady was able to sit down with FFA state leaders and learn more about the passions and successes of, as well as challenges of, young people dedicated to this most important industry.
To get involved in the Virginia chapter, visit their website: vaffa.org
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Boards and Commissions Openings | |
To explore and apply for opportunities to serve on one of Virginia's Boards or Commissions, please visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. | |
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Founder and Medical Director, Virginia Mental Health Access Program
Having held over 30 community, state, and national leadership positions in her impactful career, Dr. Sandy Chung is a stalwart advocate and champion for youth mental health and a dedicated pediatric medical practitioner. Most recently the President of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2023, Dr. Chung is an outstanding Virginian doing incredible work for the Commonwealth's Women+girls, children and families. In honor of National Staying Healthy Month, this week we learn about Dr. Chung's inspiring journey, hear her advice to Women+girls pursuing a career healthcare and discover what we can all be doing this year to stay healthy... read more, here.
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Visionary Advisor, The Lampstand
Transformed by the stark reality of sex trafficking during her studies in global justice, Kathleen Arnold "knew without a doubt" that combatting sex trafficking would become her life's calling. Today, Kathleen serves as the Visionary Advisor for The Lampstand, a nonprofit providing safe, residential housing for the juvenile victims of human trafficking in Roanoke, Virginia. Kathleen also serves as the Senior Director of Programs for Safe House Project, a prominent nonprofit organization committed to combating modern-day slavery. During this National Human Trafficking Awareness month we celebrate Kathleen Arnold, a stalwart advocate working hard to create a more safe and loving Virginia for all... read more about Kathleen in this Sisterhood Spotlight, here.
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Pictured: Petersburg Girls with Pearls mentor talking to students | |
First Lady Focus on Petersburg
This month, the Office of the First Lady supported the Blandford Academy ‘Girls with Pearls’ program in Petersburg to discuss best practices for stress management and the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Together, the girls and their mentors learned how to utilize intentional breathing and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and practiced identifying the different circles of control. Partnered with the Petersburg Women's Group and Peterburg's Communities in School (CIS), the First Lady is proud to uplift Virginia's Women+girls (W+g).
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The First Lady routinely engages with nonprofits serving the needs of Virginians across the Commonwealth. Check out some of the organizations she has connected with recently!
If you are interested in volunteering to serve others, or would like more information on how these nonprofits might be able to provide you with assistance, click on their logos to learn more!
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Future Farmers of America | Roanoke Valley Collective Response |
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Pictured: The First Lady with students and Snowball | |
On her visit to the Anna Julia Cooper School, the First Lady was greeted by Snowball, the classroom bunny.
A beloved member of the classroom, Snowball helps facilitate new ways of learning for the students along with teaching responsibility, boosting self-esteem, encouraging companionship and compassion for animals and stimulating emotional growth.
Recently, the First Lady was glad to support the placement of a Canine Companion Therapy Dog at Blandford 6th Grade Academy as well. Working with Petersburg Communities in Schools, the Governor’s office, and Canine Companions, Blandford will welcome a therapy dog in a Special Education classroom at the school this year.
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Pictured: Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, courtesy of the Library of Virginia | |
Hanging in the Old Governor's Office of Virginia's Executive Mansion, John Adams Elder's portrait of Thomas Jefferson reminds Virginians and visitors of the origins of our nation's independence and democracy.
Years after authoring and signing the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson agreed to design the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond in 1785. Three years later the Capitol was completed, welcoming its first session of General Assembly members in 1788.
As the 2024 General Assembly convenes once again in our storied Capitol, today's legislators continue the Commonwealth's tradition of democracy surrounded by mementos of those who came before them.
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