Dumfries' Big 275th Charter Gala; Remembering Dr. Golden Bethune-Hill; Richmond Crusade for Voters Cookout; Bruce Smith Honored
🚩 There are 35 days until the June 18, 2024 primary. Early voting 🏃🏼♂️ has begun!
🚩 There are 175 days until Election Day November 5, 2024.
May 18: Richmond Crusade for Voters Annual Candidate Cookout
Elected officials and candidates who are confirmed to attend as of today are: Delegate Rae Cousins, State Senator and 2025 candidate for Lt. Governor Aaron Rouse, Richmond and candidate for Mayor Andreas Addison, former Richmond City Council President and candidate for Mayor Michelle Mosby, City Council candidate Maria Carra Rose, City Council candidate Tavares Floyd and City Council candidate Willie Hilliard. There will be others who will likely confirm their attendance in the coming days.
Dumfries Celebrates 275th Charter Anniversary
GALA EVENT COMMEMORATES VIRGINIA’S OLDEST CHARTERED TOWN. On May 10 at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia, Dumfries commemorated 275 years. The Dumfries 275th Charter Day Celebration Gala was attended by all of the leaders in the surrounding area and the event quickly sold out. Fox 5 News DC correspondent Guy Lambert hosted the evening.
The historic black tie celebration was commented on by Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood on social media. “Our three-day celebration is in the books! Thank you to everyone who joined us tonight at the gala to kick off the 275th anniversary of Dumfries. Your enthusiasm and support made this evening not just successful, but truly unforgettable.”
All photos 📸 by bchiquephotography of Woodbridge
Honoring Dr. Golden Bethune-Hill
Honored and much loved community leader Dr. Golden Bethune-Hill 🌹 of Newport News, was laid to rest on Friday, May 10 after a service at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple in Hampton. A Omega Omega Service by members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority took place in her honor as well as well as a memorial service by the Links, Inc. O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home administered another memorable and touching service honoring the life of an energetic, popular and highly valued member of the Hampton Roads community. Many were stunned and saddened at the news of her death.
Dr. Golden Bethune-Hill passed away on April 29, 2024, in Newport News, Virginia
Among a long list of honors, Golden Bethune-Hill and her husband Charlie were named 2012 Daily Press Citizens of the Year
O.H. Smith & Sons’ obituary captures a fraction of her impact in the community: 🌹 Dr. Bethune-Hill's legacy as a trailblazer, advocate, and pioneer in healthcare and social justice shall forever stir our souls. She was the daughter of Watson and Dorothy McDaniel of Newport News, Virginia. She was a graduate of G.W. Carver High School in Newport News, Virginia. In addition Dr. Bethune-Hill earned a B.S. in Nursing from North Carolina A&T State University, and a M.S. in Nursing Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dr. Bethune-Hill dedicated her life to the noble causes of service and equity. Her profound impact resonates deeply within the hearts of all whom she touched. As the inaugural African-American Director of Nursing and Executive Vice President at Riverside Hospital, she not only dismantled barriers but also charted pathways for generations to follow. Beyond the walls of the hospital, she embraced the marginalized, co-founding the Newport News Community Free Clinic in 2010 now called the Charlie W. and Golden Bethune-Hill Community Health Clinic. This altruistic endeavor oriented access to essential healthcare services for the underserved.
Dr. Bethune-Hill's influence transcended the realms of healthcare. Her pivotal role in court cases including the Bethune-Hill v. Virginia State Board of Elections case epitomized her steadfast dedication to fair access to voting. Through tireless advocacy, she fought the injustice of racial gerrymandering, stitching her name in the tapestry of civil rights history.
In addition to her professional accolades, Dr. Bethune-Hill stood as a steadfast pillar within our community, assuming leadership roles in esteemed organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and The Links, Incorporated.
Dr. Bethune-Hil served as the President of a Delta Sigma Theta chapter in New Jersey. A champion of education, cultural enrichment, and health awareness, she was able to change countless lives for the better.
She also established the Dorothy McDaniel scholarship at Hampton University in honor of her mother for students in single-parent homes. At Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church, she served as both a Deacon and Elder and was a member of the Alice Rollins Circle. Dr. Bethune-Hill's legacy of service, leadership and the causes she championed have been acknowledged by area organizations. In 2010, she was awarded the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Award and in 2021, the UNCF Mask Award. In 2022, Providence Bible College Theological Seminary granted Dr. Bethune-Hill an honorary doctorate in recognition of her activism, community service, and Christian leadership.
As we mourn the departure of this extraordinary woman, let us also celebrate her life, her legacy, and the countless lives she enriched along her journey. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Golden Bethune-Hill's luminous spirit, which shall eternally guide us toward a horizon adorned with equity, compassion, and justice for all.
Dr. Golden Bethune-Hill is survived by her beloved husband of 16 years, Dr. Charlie W. Hill; her daughters Rahcyne Omatete (Jolomi), of Silver Spring, Maryland, Caroline Hill (Michelle) of the District of Columbia, Charlene Fadirepo (Rinde), of the District of Columbia, and Verna Lamb (Ted) of Lynchburg, Virginia; her sister, Gladys Clarke (Curtis) of Hampton, Virginia, her brother Stanley McDaniel (Lynn) of Atlanta, Georgia, her sister Barbara McDaniel of Long Beach, California, and her five cherished grandchildren, Thomas, Ayo, Ayiri, Eyonju, Sade, a niece Jacqueline Sanders (Torrin) of Woodbridge, Virginia, and her grandnephew Pharez.
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“I recall working under her leadership and was proud to be amongst her staff. She was a force to be reckoned with, and aspire to in nursing where she touched many lives. She never failed to offer a smile and a kind word, even during difficult times in her life,” wrote Daryl Lyons on May 10 on the obituary tribute page.
“Golden was extremely dedicated in her efforts to better the health and lives of the community that she lived and served. She worked tirelessly in her efforts to educate and provide free or reduced cost health care to those with limited financial means, and I was happy to have volunteered my time on two occasions to have worked with her in those efforts. She was a huge asset to our community and will be noticeably missed,” wrote Walter Bowser.
“I am personally heartbroken over the transition of my beloved sister-in-law Golden. She was a bright light who spread sunshine wherever she went. We first met in Riverdale, New York after her brother Robert and I married. Our friendship over the years was consistently warm and loving. I will never forget "Goldie" and look forward to seeing her again one of these days. I'm sure her beautiful smile will be among those to welcome me home when my time comes. Rest well dear sister. You are sorely missed,” wrote Dr. Portia Scott.
“Golden was a wonderful good hearted lady with a smile and personality you can never can forget. My condolences go out to her family and friends . Rember her and her family from old Newsome Park so kind always greet you with so much kindness and love. RIP in Heaven,” wrote Janet Newell -Woodford.
🌹 It is the family’s desire that you honor the life of Dr. Golden Bethune-Hill by giving. They humbly as you to please consider giving to the following charities:
Riverside Foundation, Charlie W. and Golden Bethune-Hill Community Health Clinic: 701 Town Center Drive Suite 1000, Newport News, Va 23606, 757-234-8740.
Golden Bethune-Hill Leadership Endowment at NCA&T, School of Nursing: North Carolina A&T State University School of Nursing, Noble Hall, 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, 336-334-7750.
Dorothy McDaniel Scholarship: Hampton University, 100 E Queen Street, Hampton, Va 23669.
Businessman and NFL Legend Bruce Smith Wins Norfolk’s First Citizen of Norfolk Award
NFL Hall of Famer and legend Bruce Smith received the Cosmopolitan Club of Norfolk’s First Citizen of Norfolk Award on May 11.
Smith, who is partnered with the Cordish Company, recently won a huge victory after Petersburg selected Cordish to complete a casino project in Petersburg.
RELATED: Casino: Petersburg Town Hall in 14 Photos; Affordable Housing in Virginia
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