Women+girls (W+g)
Encouraging Women+girls to Strengthen the Spirit of Virginiae
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Supporting The New Elevate Early Education (E3) School | |
Pictured: Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin donate second quarter salary to The New E3 School on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. | |
Pictured: Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin donate second quarter salary to The New E3 School on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. | |
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First Lady and Governor Youngkin contributed to Norfolk’s New Elevate Early Education (E3) School as part of ongoing efforts to support education excellence that benefits little learners, and as part of the Governor’s pledge to gift the entirety of the gubernatorial salary to nonprofit organizations doing great work for Virginians. Their $43K donation will support student scholarships as well as the creation of the new Lisa Robertson Literacy Lab and Library in memory of Lisa Robertson, a founding member and volunteer at E3, a champion for early literacy and education.
To learn more about the New E3 School, read the Governor's press release, here.
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Celebrating our Past and Present at the Executive Mansion | |
Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin with former First Ladies and guests gathered at the Executive Mansion | |
For the first time in over a decade, Virginia’s current and former governors came together to break bread around the Executive Mansion dining room table, toasting to the incredible opportunity and rich responsibility that comes with serving the Commonwealth and its people. The First Lady and Governor are immensely grateful to have been a part of this historic evening amongst Virginia’s dedicated leaders. | |
Pictured: First Lady and Governor with former First Ladies, Governors and their guests gathered at the Executive Mansion | |
Pictured: Governor Youngkin with former governors gathered at the Executive Mansion | |
Recognizing Virginia's Military Children | |
Pictured: First Lady presenting Month of the Military Child Executive Order | |
Pictured: First Lady with military affiliated children and families | |
The First Lady "purple'd up" to celebrate the Month of the Military Child and recognize the 77k+ military connected children attending public school around the Commonwealth for their resiliency and courage. The Youngkin Administration remains avidly committed to honoring our armed forces and thanks all men, women and their families for their daily service and sacrifices. | |
Ongoing Commitment to Roanoke at the West End Center for Youth | |
Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin with Senator Sutterlein, students and community leaders at the West End Center for Youth | |
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Senator David Suetterlein traveled to Straight Street and the West End Center for Youth in Roanoke to spread awareness about the fentanyl and opioid crisis in Virginia. The First Lady led conversations with community and faith leaders about her ongoing It Only Takes One fentanyl education initiative and listened to the concerns of the community. | |
20 years of The Crooked Road | |
Pictured: The First Lady and Governor Youngkin with performers at Wolf Trap | |
Pictured: The Blue Ridge Girls singing at Wolf Trap | |
The First Lady was thrilled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail with the Governor at Wolf Trap this month. A 330-mile driving trail through the mountains of Southwest Virginia, "The Crooked Road" connects music venues and festivals for visitors to enjoy Virginia’s long-rooted old time and bluegrass traditions. | |
Ending the Scourge of Trafficking in Virginia | |
Pictured: The First Lady delivering remarks at labor trafficking bill signing | |
Pictured: The First Lady with Sheriff Crawford and Tanya Gould | |
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This month the First Lady joined Governor Youngkin, law enforcement officers, legislators, victims of human trafficking and advocates of its end in Colonial Heights to celebrate the signing of a bill to combat labor trafficking in Virginia. With women and girls making up the majority of trafficking victims, the First Lady is grateful to the many leaders working hard to end its scourge, such as Petersburg Sherriff Vanessa Crawford and the Honorable Tanya Gould, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Office at the Attorney General's Office.
For more information and resources about Virginia's anti-human trafficking efforts, visit: Human Trafficking Response in Virginia | Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
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Celebrating Historic Garden Week | |
Pictured: Flower arrangement at the Executive Mansion | Pictured: The Gilette Garden at the Executive Mansion | |
Pictured: Flower arrangement at the Executive Mansion | Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin with guests at the Executive Mansion | |
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In Virginia, April’s Historic Garden Week brought the beauty! Now in its 91st year, Garden Club of Virginia's Historic Garden Week is the only statewide house and garden tour in the nation and has been a part of the Executive Mansion's #homehistory for decades. Designed by Charles Gillette, the formal garden area at the Executive Mansion was completed in 1956, just in time for Historic Garden Week. The Gillette Garden was restored in 1999 by the Garden Club of Virginia and remains one of the most breathtaking spaces on the property.
Thank you to visitors from far and wide for making this year's Historic Garden Day at the Executive Mansion so special, and to James River Garden Club for their masterful work on the arrangements within this stately home.
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Pictured: The First Lady with Secretary of Agriculture Matt Lohr, Deputy Secretary Jen Walle and Science Museum of Virginia Leadership | |
The First Lady joined Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr, Deputy Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Jen Walle, and Science Musuem of Virginia leadership to plant a tree for arbor day. The ceremonial tree planting concludes Phase - II of "The Green," a new community greenspace project located at Richmond’s Science Museum of Virginia in one of the fastest-growing, high-density, mixed-use neighborhoods in the city. | |
A Visit to the Salvation Army Center of Hope | |
Pictured: The First Lady speaking with leadership at the Salvation Army Center of Hope | |
Pictured: The First Lady with leadership at the Salvation Army Center of Hope | |
To kick off Virginia Volunteer Week, the First Lady joined Secretary of Health and Human Resources, John Littel, and former Secretary of the Commonwealth, Kay Coles James, on a tour of the under-construction, Richmond Salvation Army Center of Hope. The volunteer-supported shelter serving the community's men, women and children facing homelessness, the expanded Center of Hope will increase emergency shelter beds, provide accessible housing for those with disabilities, and cultivate an environment that feels safe, secure and hopeful for the future. | |
Celebrating Volunteerism Month | |
In honor of national Volunteer Month, the First Lady encourages all Virginians to get involved in their local communities. Serve Virginia works to build a culture of giving back and volunteerism in all corners of the Commonwealth by inspiring, connecting and celebrating all things service. To learn more, visit servevirginia.org | |
Commemorating the 311th Spotswood Treaty | |
Pictured: The First Lady with women from the Nottoway Indian Tribe and Secretary Kelly Gee | |
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The Governor and First Lady were honored to commemorate the 311th anniversary of the Spotswood Treaty between the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County Virginia and Virginia’s Provisional Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood on April 23 (St. George’s Day) this year.
Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown presented the Treaty Tribute of three peace arrows, wrapped in a beaver pelt and a Wampum Belt, to commemorate the ongoing tradition.
Marking a significant milestone in the Commonwealth's history, the Governor and First Lady cherish their relationship with all communities in Virginia.
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Pictured: The First Lady and Governor Youngkin with Chief Red Hawk | |
Continued Efforts to Combat Fentanyl Poisoning
This month the First Lady came alongside Jennifer Johnson, the mother of a son lost to fentanyl poisoning, at Governor Youngkin's bill signing for the ban of pill presses used to manufacture and sell illegal drugs. The First Lady remains passionate in her efforts to keep Virginia's families and communities safe from the illicit drug of fentanyl by spreading awareness of the threat and educational resources for where and how to get help.
| Pictured: The First Lady delivering remarks at SB 469 bill signing in Richmond | | | |
Pictured: The First Lady with Attorney General Miyares in front of a One Pill Can Kill Van | The First Lady joined Attorney General Jason Miyares for National Drug Take-Back Day, a day where citizens can drop off their unused, unwanted, or expired medications at their local law enforcement agencies for safe disposal. In an effort to prevent prescription drug abuse, including fentanyl, from hurting the men and women of the Commonwealth, the First Lady applauds all law enforcement heroes for their dedication to keeping Virginians safe. | |
Pictured: The First Lady with Attorney General Miyares, local and state law enforcement officers | |
Recognizing Virginia's Small Business Environment | |
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Virginia's small business owners are a critical part of the Commonwealth's robust economic ecosystem. With women accounting for 47.6 percent of workers and owners of 44.3 percent of businesses, shopping local is critically important to keep Virginia moving.
Learn more about the impact entrepreneurs have in Virginia, here.
For more opportunities for women, like becoming SWaM (Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned) business certified in Virginia, visit: SWaM Certification – The Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (virginia.gov)
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Learning about Financial Success Opportunities for Women | |
Pictured: The First Lady with Cherry Dale of the Virginia Credit Union | |
Pictured: The First Lady with female leaders at the Financial Success for Women Summit | |
In honor of Financial Literacy Month this April, the First Lady was excited to speak at the Virginia Credit Union's Financial Success for Women Summit Luncheon. Together, women from all walks of life joined in an afternoon of educational workshops to cultivate their financial health and heard from renowned speaker, Michelle Singletary, about how to enjoy budgeting and financial planning. | |
Welcoming the 2024 Model General Assembly | |
Pictured: Students at the Model General Assembly meeting | |
Pictured: First Lady Suzanne Youngkin with students at the Model General Assembly meeting | |
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This month the First Lady and Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera welcomed this year's Youth Governor and Model General Assembly legislators to Richmond -- challenging them to cultivate character and work toward common ground.
For 77 years the Virginia YMCA-hosted program allows high school students to learn more about the executive and legislative processes.
To learn more or get involved, click here.
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Cultivating Women's Wellbeing + Workforce | |
Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin with Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Chelsea Jenkins | |
Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin with Women+girls gathering attendees | |
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The First Lady was joined by hundreds of women and girls from the Northern Virginia region for the first of four ‘Sisterhood’ events slated for this spring. Events provide networking and highlight the Commonwealth's resources for women's wellbeing and workforce opportunities.
Joined by Serve Virginia, the Life Enrichment Center, and the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, First Lady Youngkin moderated a panel discussion for women to learn more about how to get involved in their communities. For women interested in learning more about the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, please visit the 2024 Small Business Symposium: Meet Your Business Resources on May 2nd.
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Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin with Women+girls gathering attendees | |
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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Executive Director of the Virginia Egg Council
A sensational figurehead for Virginia Eggs, Cecilia Glembocki is a shining example of the passionate women supporting Virginia’s largest economic driver, agriculture.
From national television appearances to annual contributions at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Cecilia has brought the Virginia egg industry robust success.
Learn more about Cecilia, here.
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First Lady Focus on Petersburg
In honor of Financial Literacy Month, this April the First Lady joined the Women+girls of Blandford Academy's Girls with Pearls mentorship program to discuss budgeting, needs versus wants, and how to plan for meeting future financial goals.
Led by Cynthia Pantaleo of the Junior Achievement of Central Virginia nonprofit, mentors and mentees left with a better understanding of how to achieve financial wellbeing, career opportunities in finance, and how to support Women+girls on their journeys to success.
| Pictured: The First Lady with girls and mentors of the Girls with Pearls program | | | |
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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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Pictured: The First Lady with K-9 unit officer and dog | |
The First Lady met a Capitol Police K-9 officer and her K-9 after the Drug Take-Back Day on Capitol Square.
A K-9 is a dog specifically trained to assist members of law enforcement in patrol and detection duties. They are a valuable part of the law enforcement community and help in the ongoing fight against lethal drug use and distribution.
The First Lady thanks all law enforcement officers for their steadfast commitment to keeping Virginians safe.
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Pictured: "Autumn Light" by Joey Fry | |
Recognized in April, Autism Acceptance Month celebrates the numerous ways individuals with autism enrich our world. Using his talent and creativity, Joey Frye creates #homehistory making artwork that inspires joy in others through a unique perspective, one he accredits to Asperger’s Syndrome.
Hanging in the front hall of Virginia’s Executive Mansion, Joey’s painting “Autumn Light” reflects the beauty of our Commonwealth’s landscapes as well as the beauty that comes from the diversity of its people.
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