SR 69 — Celebrating the life of Helen V. Davis.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 24106479DSENATE IRESOLUTION SENAOfferedNO. February 12, 2024 N Celebrating the life of Helen V.

69 E Celebrating the life of Helen V.

––––––––––N TAgreed Patron––Lucasto Rby ––––––––––the Senate, February 15, 2024 R O WHEREAS,Portsmouth, Helendied V.on January 24, 2024;

Davis,andr a champion for civil rights and a trailblazing community leader in Portsmouth,L diedWHEREAS, onHelen JanuaryDavis 24,was 2024;born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and moved to Portsmouth with her L family at a young age, then graduated from I.C.

and D family at a young age, then graduated from I.C.

andmouth with her U WHEREAS, Helen Davis continued her education at Virginia Union University and what is now Norfolk State University, then completed additional studies through an extension program at The College of William and Mary in Virginia;

and ED WHEREAS, Helen Davis joined the Central Civic Forum and Independent Voters League which helped teach Black community members how to fill out registration forms and exercise their civic duty to WHEREAS, Helen Davis served as the first female president of the Central Civic Forum, and her achievements with the organization led to the election of the first two Black members of the Portsmouth City Council, as well as the first Black judge and the first Black attorney for the Commonwealth in the city;citWHEREAS, in 1960, Helen Davis supported and participated in student protests against R discrimination at the local Woolworth store, and she fought to ensure that student protesters were not9 expelled for their courageous actions;

and R WHEREAS, in 1960, Helen Davis supported and participated in student protests against discrimination at the local Woolworth store, and she fought to ensure that student protesters were not expWHEREAS, Helen Davis was passionate about the importance of a good education and gave R generations of students the support they needed to become lifelong learners as a librarian in Portsmouth Public Schools for more than 30 years;

andandeeded to become lifelong learners as a librarian in Portsmouth WHEREAS, after her well-earned retirement, Helen Davis served as a member and vice-chair of the Portsmouth School Board, where she played an important role in the appointment of the first Black superintendentsupWHEREAS, ofHelen Davis also volunteered her time and leadership to the Urban League, the Portsmouth PublicChapter Schools;of Jack and Jill, Inc., and what is now Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center as its first Black female member of the board of directors;

and PortsmouthWHEREAS, Chapterpredeceased ofby Jackher andhusband, Jill,Howard, Inc.,Helen andDavis whatwill isbe nowfondly Bonremembered Secoursand Maryviewand Medicalnumerous Centerother asfamily itsmembers firstand Blackfriends; female member of the board of directors;

andnow, WHEREAS,therefore, predeceased by her husband, Howard, Helen Davis will be fondlyities; remembered and greatly missed by her daughters, Dianne and Carolyn, and their families;

34RESOLVED, andThat numerousthe otherSenate familyof membersVirginia andhereby friends;note with great sadness the loss of Helen V.

now,Davis, therefore,a bepillar it 35 RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the lossPortsmouth ofcommunity; Helen V.

Davis,and, 37be ait pRESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for 38 presentation to the family of Helen V.

Davis as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for her 39 memory.