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2021 Miss Virginia and 2022 Scholarship Contestants Attend First Lady’s Third Spirit of Sisterhood Event in Roanoke

2021 Miss Virginia and 2022 Miss Virginia contestants spend afternoon in Roanoke at First Lady’s third Spirit of Sisterhood event. (Photo courtesy Desk of First Lady)

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.

First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin wears pink dress, raises hands at a podium, flags of US and Virginia stand behind her
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin delivers remarks at the Spirit of Sisterhood event in Roanoke, Virginia on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Photo by Kathy Taylor Scott.

“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.

two Miss Virginia 2022 contestants speak with First Lady of Virginia
2022 Mis Virginia Contestants speak with First Lady Youngkin. (Photo courtesy Desk of First Lady)

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.

a woman in white pants and a pink shirt stands at a podium, a panel of people sit in chairs behind her
Secretary of the Commonwealth Kay Coles James delivers remarks at the Spirit of Sisterhood event in Roanoke, Virginia on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Photo by Kathy Taylor Scott.

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.

first lady young kin hugs a woman at her spirit of sisterhood in roanoke
Attendees pose for a photo at the Spirit of Sisterhood event in Roanoke, Virginia on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Photo by Kathy Taylor Scott.

SEE ALSO: First Lady of Virginia Welcomes Nearly 500 Women to Alexandria’s River Farm for Spirit of Sisterhood Initiative

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