Delegate Ken Plum's "Celebrating a Virginia Woman History-Maker"

March 15, 2023

Photo Credit: Black Virginia News

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan at her official swearing in with the House Speaker, her husband Dave Mills, and her children Samantha and Jackson.

IN THIS ISSUE

Commentary: Celebrating a Virginia Woman History-Maker
Bulletin Board
What Can I Do?
Check your Calendar

COMMENTARY

Celebrating a Virginia Woman History-Maker

March is Women’s History Month, and this March we can celebrate the many women who contributed to our past history and who are contributing to our history as recently as last week. On March 7 Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan was sworn in as a member of the 118^th Congress becoming the first Black woman to serve in Virginia’s Congressional delegation. She succeeds the late Congressman Don McEachin who passed away recently from complications of cancer.

For Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan to be making history is no surprise to anyone who knows her. If I had my way she would be the current governor of Virginia for I had supported her in the Democratic primary to be the party’s candidate for governor. It remains possible that she will in the future be the first Black woman governor of the Commonwealth for which she has the abilities.

When I was chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, the late Governor of Virginia Gerald L. Baliles told me about a young associate in the law firm for which he was working after leaving the governorship and for whom he had the highest recommendation for political office and service. She was Jennifer McClellan who had only recently earned her law degree from the University of Virginia and who was already demonstrating her keen knowledge as a native Virginian and her political acumen. He could not have been more accurate in his assessment of her.

It was less than ten years later that now Congresswoman McClellan ran successfully in the Richmond area to become a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 2016 where she served until 2017 when she became a member of the Virginia Senate where she served until her recent election to Congress. In both the Virginia House and Senate she stood out for successfully sponsoring the most difficult and important legislation.

In its most recent edition, Black Virginia News reported on her first speech to the U.S. House. She talked about being the “daughter and granddaughter of men who paid poll taxes and the great-granddaughter of a man who took a literacy test and had to find three white men to vouch for him to be able to vote.” She went on to say, “I stand on the shoulders of my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, recognizing that in a lot of ways I am fighting the same fights they did. And I stand here to ensure that my children and yours do not have to fight those same fights.” I remember her making the same kind of speech in the Virginia Capitol where her work was responsible for so much positive change.

Congresswoman McClellan will serve on the House Armed Services and Science, Space, and Technology Committees and no doubt will continue to make history.

BULLETIN BOARD

Celebrating Women’s History Month

with Events and Stories of Female Leaders

In honor and recognition of Women’s History Month, Fairfax County is sharing a few stories of amazing women leaders throughout the County, as well as events in March that highlight compelling stories about women’s contributions to society. Read more.

Tickets Are on Sale for Mardi Bras

March 17, 2023 8:00-11:00 pm

Mardi Bras 2023 will take place at Westwood Country Club. There will be music, dancing, food, drinks and a photobooth--just like Mardi Bras of the past! We will be collecting donations of new with tags bras and underwear as well as unopened packages of tampons & pads. Donations are greatly appreciated to help keep up with demand! Learn more, purchase tickets, and view the items in the Silent Auction at Mardi Bras.

OLLI at Mason Spring Term Begins March 27

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University offers intellectual and cultural experiences in a welcoming atmosphere to Northern Virginia residents during their retirement years. The institute offers hundreds of stimulating educational, social and cultural courses, clubs, trips, and events each year on topics of interest to adults 50 and older. Classes are held at sites in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Reston.The Spring Term Session runs from March 27 - May 19. You can visit Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (gmu.edu) for more information and to register for courses.

WHAT CAN I DO? CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

Give Your Feedback in the Fairfax County Public Schools

Strategic Planning Community Survey By March 20

Students are preparing for careers that don’t exist today. In order to keep pace with these needs, FCPS is developing a Strategic Plan that reimagines plans for the future and how to best serve students for this new era.

Learn more and take the survey here.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Wednesday, March 15, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Fourth Annual Fairfax County Housing Symposium. The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, in partnership with the George Mason School of Business, is planning the fourth annual Fairfax County Housing Symposium to be held in-person on the campus of George Mason University, Alan and Sally Merten Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. The theme of this year’s event is “Innovate to Accelerate.” Get Complete Details and Register.

Wednesday, March 15, 7:00 p.m., Reston Inspires Art, at RCC Lake Anne, Jo Ann Rose Gallery. Free. In partnership with Public Art Reston, join an open conversation with local artists who are inspired by Reston’s history, architecture, nature, design and public art. Register here.

Saturday, March 18, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., NoVA Prism Center & Library Pop-up, at the Reston Museum, 1639 Washington Plaza, Reston. FREE EVENT! NoVA Prism Center & Library is teaming up with Reston Museum to bring their collection of books and resources for the LGBTQIA+ community to Lake Anne for one day only! Learn more.

Saturday, March 18, 1:00 and 5:00 p.m., Festival Ballet of Virginia Presents Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, at The Madeira School, 8328 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA. This ballet is appropriate for audience members of all ages. Lap-sitters under age 2 may attend for free. Runtime is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. There is no intermission. Learn more and purchase tickets.

Saturday, March 18, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., The Reston Chorale presents L'chaim: To Life, at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods Plaza, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Free for active Military and youth 17 and under with a ticketed adult. Tickets are available at the CenterStage Box Office and online. More information is at L' chaim.

Saturday, March 25, 11:00 to 3:00 p.m., Diva Central Dress Giveaway Event, at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza. Diva Central is Reston Community Center’s annual prom and formal dress giveaway boutique event. This incredible one-day shopping opportunity is open to any current middle or high school student who needs a formal dress, shoes, jewelry and other accessories. Everything is absolutely FREE. Learn more.

Thursday, March 30, 2:15 to 3:30 p.m., Meet the Artists: Beverly Cosham, free event at the CenterStage, Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Celebrated Washington-area cabaret singer Beverly Cosham will perform favorite songs from the Great American Songbook and other favorites. Registration is required in advance or at the door (reg# 271031-3A).

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