A busy week at the Kingdom Family Worship Center continued on Monday afternoon with a Black Women’s History Month luncheon hosted by Delegate Joshua Cole.
Cole, who introduced the bill that placed the annual commemoration on state calendars, was joined by his House colleagues Candi King, Destiny Levere Bowling, and Don Scott, Virginia’s first African American House speaker. All gave remarks and presented framed resolutions honoring local stakeholders.
Among them was local activist Eunice Haigler, who Cole called the “Mother of Juneteenth in Virginia.” Haigler has organized local Juneteenth commemorations since 2015 and worked to help get the event passed as a state holiday in 2020. Also honored on Monday were Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater, Fredericksburg City Public Schools’ Shirley Smith Johnson, the Greater Rappahannock (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and Malvina Rollins Kay, who Cole said he suspects may be the longest-serving school board member in Virginia.
Delegate Bowling delivered the luncheon’s keynote remarks. She encouraged those listening to appreciate and remember the African American women in our lives that heal, teach and inspire everyday, in addition to Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Maya Angelou and others that reside in history books.
Haigler’s Juneteenth event will return this June to Market Square in downtown Fredericksburg.
