SR 22 — Commemorating the life and legacy of Susan G. Gibson.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 24103996D I SENATE RESOLUTION NO.

22 NE Offered January 24, 2024 Commemorating the life and legacy of Susa––––––––––n.Susan G.

TGibson. Patron––Peake R –––––––––– WHEREAS, Susan G.

Gibson,N aAgreed pioneeringto educationby administratorthe andSenate, communityJanuary activist,25, played2024 aR O pivotal role in advancing the education of Black children in Bedford County in the first half oDof the 20th century;

and L WHEREAS, born on October 29, 1878, in the Oak Mountain community of Bedford County to U Virginia Seminary and College in Lynchburg and later a degree from what is today Virginia StateCformerState former E University;

and ED WHEREAS, after serving as an educator for several years, Susie Gibson became what was known at the time as a Jeanes Supervisor, a position supported by the Jeanes Foundation in which she effectively servedserWHEREAS, as theJeanes superintendentSupervisor, ofSusie segregatedGibson Blacksurveyed and assessed the schools in her district while also offering lessons to students in various edifying subjects and supporting teachers through the Bedfordprovision Countyof area;materials;

and WHEREAS, as Jeanes Supervisor, Susie Gibson surveyed and assessed the schools in her district while also offering lessons to students in various edifying subjects and supporting teachers through the proWHEREAS, recognizing the importance of a quality education, Susie Gibson regularly spoke at area churches to encourage young people to attend school;

andandation, Susie Gibson regularly spoke at area R WHEREAS, beyond her work in education, Susie Gibson was actively involved in civic affairs 2 through various organizations in Bedford County, including the American Red Cross and the BedfoSdBedford R County Tuberculosis Association, which she served as chair;

and 2 WHEREAS, when a new high school was opened for Black students in Bedford County in 1954, five years after Susie Gibson had passed away, the local school board named the institution in her andor,honor, making it the only school in the Commonwealth at the time to be named for a Black woman;

WHEREAS,and followingSchool thewas desegregationrenamed of the Commonwealth'sBedford schools,Educational SusieCenter G.in 1970;

Gibson High School was renamed the Bedford Educational Center in 1970;

and WHEREAS, in 2022, a Virginia Department of Historic Resources highway marker was unveiled to memorializeplayed Susiein Gibsonthe andlocal Susiehistory G.of Bedford County;

GibsonandSchool, High School, recognizing the important roles they :WHEREAS, Susie Gibson will long be remembered for her unwavering efforts to lift up Black students and educators and to promote unity and reconciliation in the community of Bedford County;

35nowRESOLVED plaWHEREAS,by Susiethe GibsonSenate willof longVirginia, beThat rememberedthe forlife her unwavering efforts to lift up Black 36 students and educatorslegacy and to promote unity and reconciliation in the community of BedfordSusie County;G.

/Gibson 37hereby now, therefore, be itcommemorated /on 38 RESOLVED by the Senateoccasion of Virginia, That the life75th andanniversary legacy of Susieher G.death;

Gibson hereby be 39 commemorated on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of her death;