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2006 SPECIAL SESSION I


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5044
Commending Geraldine B. Story.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, May 25, 2006
Agreed to by the Senate, June 6, 2006

 

WHEREAS, Geraldine B. Story, a lifelong citizen of Richmond, is recognized as a 2006 YWCA Outstanding Woman; and

WHEREAS, for the past 30 years, Geraldine B. Story has sought to improve the quality of life of persons with special needs in the Richmond area; and

WHEREAS, one of three sisters, Geraldine B. Story was born in South Richmond, the daughter of hard-working and very loving parents, Charles E. Byrd and Lena Dickens Byrd, and all three sisters inherited their parents' strong work ethic and have been named YWCA Outstanding Women; and

WHEREAS, Geraldine B. Story overcame hardship, discrimination, and few opportunities in advanced education or employment for African Americans by graduating from Armstrong High School and earning a bachelor's degree from Virginia Union University; and

WHEREAS, Geraldine B. Story is thought to be the first African American to earn a master's degree in business from the Richmond Professional Institute, now Virginia Commonwealth University, where she taught as an adjunct professor; and

WHEREAS, an excellent educator and an inspiration and mentor to her students, Geraldine B. Story was a driving force for equal opportunity pre- and post-desegregation; and

WHEREAS, Geraldine B. Story married her husband, John R. Story, and the couple had their first son, John Jr., who was severely injured at birth, resulting in mental retardation; and

WHEREAS, at a time when no services were available for African-American children with mental or physical disabilities, Geraldine B. Story helped pioneer services for African-American children with disabilities at the Richmond Public School training centers, and her husband John Story, Sr., drove their son and other students to the facilities; and

WHEREAS, as her son got older, Geraldine B. Story helped facilitate the integration of the Greater Richmond Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC); and

WHEREAS, Geraldine B. Story has held numerous important leadership positions in ARC and has served on its board since 1975; and

WHEREAS, Geraldine B. Story has testified before the General Assembly, has been a member of the Mayor’s Commission for the Disabled for the City of Richmond, and served as a SPECTRAN Trustee in the early 1980s at the onset of the development of transportation for disabled persons; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and influential advocate, Geraldine B. Story has committed much of her life to helping her community and citizens with disabilities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate Geraldine B. Story on her well-deserved recognition as a 2006 YWCA Outstanding Woman; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Geraldine B. Story as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for her dedication to the citizens of the Commonwealth.