Dominion’s 2025 ‘Strong Men & Women’ Awards Include Politicians, Composer, Historian, Scientist

Composer, Historian, Scientist
RICHMOND

House of Delegates Speaker Don L. Scott Jr., and Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears are among this year’s ‘Strong Men & Women in Virginia History’ awardees. The annual event is produced by Dominion Energy in partnership with the Library of Virginia to honor distinguished African-Americans across the state.

The celebration is Thursday, Feb. 6 in Richmond.

Both political leaders are in positions as the first African-Americans. Scott is the first African-American Speaker of the House of Delegates and Sears is the first woman elected lieutenant governor and the first Black woman and female veteran to hold statewide office in Virginia.

Other honorees are Damien Geter, a music composer whose  new opera, Loving v. Virginia, premieres this spring, including at The Harrison Opera House in Norfolk. The opera is based on the true story of Mildred and Richard Loving and their landmark Supreme Court case that struck down state laws banning interracial marriage.

Also being awarded are  Kelly L. Knight, professor, forensic scientist and STEM advocate; and Virginia Young Lee (posthumously), who created the largest collection of Black history and literature in southwest Virginia.

After the event, the Library of Virginia will host a traveling exhibition featuring each of the honorees– so that Virginians can learn about these outstanding leaders.

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With this program is an annual student contest with awards to students and their schools.

Resource materials for Strong Men & Women in Virginia History are available online through the Library of Virginia website. Teachers may also request a set of materials to be mailed to them.

2/8/23 Charlottesville, VA – Virginia House of Delegates 2023 Session Democrats HeadshotsPhoto credit: Amanda Maglione