2021 Miss Virginia and 2022 Scholarship Contestants Attend First Lady’s Third Spirit of Sisterhood Event in Roanoke
ROANOKE, VA – On Tuesday, June 21, First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin hosted her third Spirit of Sisterhood gathering this year with more than 100 Virginia women and girls at the Taubman Museum of Art.
For each Sisterhood gathering, the First Lady invites women business owners and leaders to help put on the events.
In Roanoke, Taubman Museum of Art Executive Director Cindy Petersen, Kimberly Lunsford of Florals by Kimberly, Lindsey Gilliam of Lindsey Ann’s Florals, Brad & Lauren Foster with Lighting Ninja and women volunteers from the Roanoke Valley backed the First Lady’s initiative.
“Engaging with women from all parts of Virginia remains a top priority and I’m thrilled to be in Roanoke celebrating the bonds that bind us in sisterhood. Discussing universal needs and shared values, while also educating women on resources available to them, is at the heart of this initiative,” said the First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin.
At each Spirit of Sisterhood event, the First Lady promotes her online platforms for engaging with women across the Commonwealth. This month, she spoke about the promises kept in the Virginia State Budget—signed by Governor Youngkin June 21—and the progress made on other key issues. The First Lady’s engagement platforms include her social media pages, Sisterhood website portal, and Sisterhood Monthlynewsletter that includes information and resources pertinent to Virginia’s women and families.
Earlier in the day, she met with Miss Virginia 2021 Tatum Shepapard and the contestants of the 2022 Miss Virginia scholarship pageant for women. The women discussed their advocacy platforms and ways to collaborate in the future.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Kay Coles James, who is currently in the Sisterhood Spotlight, also shared remarks. “I was raised as the only girl in my family, so celebrating ‘sisterhood’ means more to me than perhaps most people. In the spirit of sisterhood, I hope that women across Virginia come together, pray for one another, support one another and encourage one another. Sisterhood transcends political boundaries. I’m proud of this initiative and that our Governor and First Lady continue to call for unity and progress in areas that impact Virginians on a daily basis,” said Secretary Kay Coles James.
Other participants included Elizabeth Elmore, public engagement manager for the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission and formerly community engagement manager at Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline; Lisa Easter, a security officer at Carilion Clinic and U.S. Air Force and Virginia Army National Guard veteran; and Brandi Claytor, a member of the worship team at Valley Church.
Sign up for the Sisterhood Monthly newsletter here to see when and where the next Spirit of Sisterhood is held.
