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2011 SESSION

11100929D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 485
Offered February 14, 2011
Celebrating the life of Dr. Claudette Laverne Black McDaniel.
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Patrons-- Marsh and Lucas
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WHEREAS, Dr. Claudette Laverne Black McDaniel, native daughter, began her life in 1940 in humble beginnings in Dogtown, an area in South Richmond, the established boundary between African American and white neighborhoods during that era, and finished her earthly race on November 3, 2010; and

WHEREAS, she was educated in Richmond City Public Schools, was awarded a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Union University, earned a master’s degree in administrative justice and public safety from Virginia Commonwealth University, and completed a doctoral degree at Lamberhurst University of London; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Claudette Laverne Black McDaniel was active in many political and community causes, and she participated in the historic lunch counter sit-ins during the 1960s while a student at Virginia Union University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Claudette Laverne Black McDaniel, representing the newly created 8th Voting District, was among the first African American majority elected to the Richmond City Council on March 1, 1977; she became the first African American female vice mayor of Richmond, a position she held from 1984 to 1990, and had the distinction of serving during the first time in the city’s history when women held both the office of mayor and vice mayor; and

WHEREAS, in representing Richmond’s 8th District, an area of the city plagued by crime, unemployment, and daunting educational issues, she built a reputation as an effective behind-the-scenes councilwoman, deft in the skill of funneling resources into her district; and

WHEREAS, in 1983, the National Council of Negro Women awarded her the Mary McLeod Bethune Award for her significant achievements in politics and community service; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Claudette Laverne Black McDaniel worked tirelessly and diligently for the people of the 8th District and causes dear to her heart, including mentoring young people to assume leadership positions; and

WHEREAS, working in both the public and private sectors, Dr. Claudette Laverne Black McDaniel was a professional legal mediation consultant, and was a devoted and loyal employee of Virginia Commonwealth University for more than 40 years, serving as a therapeutic recreational specialist until her death; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Claudette Laverne Black McDaniel, a Richmond trailblazer, is remembered fondly by colleagues and the citizens of Richmond as an inspiration and for her warmth, kindness, dedication, and determination to ensure a high quality of life for all of Richmond’s citizens; and

WHEREAS, family and friends lovingly cherish her memory and legacy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Dr. Claudette Laverne Black McDaniel, Richmond’s first African American female vice mayor; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Dr. Claudette Laverne Black McDaniel as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.