HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5044 Offered May 10, 2006 Commending Geraldine B. Story. ---------- Patrons-- Hall and Jones, D.C. ----------

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.