HJ456: Celebrating the life of Hilda Y. Warden.
WHEREAS, Hilda Y. Warden, a respected educator who broke down barriers as one of the first African Americans to enter the Richmond Professional Institute School of Social Work and who served the Commonwealth as a legislative assistant to a Virginia Senator, died on August 29, 2015; and
WHEREAS, a native of Richmond, Hilda Warden was an exceptionally gifted student; she graduated from Armstrong High School at the age of 13 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Union University at the age of 17; and
WHEREAS, while attending Virginia Union University, Hilda Warden was a founding member of the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a charter member of what became the sorority’s Richmond alumnae chapter; she was honored as the chapter’s oldest living member in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Hilda Warden began her professional career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse near Roanoke; she later worked in the Richmond Department of Welfare and the Richmond Department for the Aging; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to her community, Hilda Warden decided to further her education at the Richmond Professional Institute School of Social Work; she was one of the first African American students admitted to the school, but, unlike many of her white classmates, she was forced to quit her job and register as a full-time graduate student; and
WHEREAS, after earning a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling in 1954, Hilda Warden became a counselor at Virginia Union University, where she served for 11 years and directed many federal programs; and
WHEREAS, Hilda Warden served the residents of the Commonwealth for 18 years as a legislative assistant to the Honorable Yvonne B. Miller, who became the first African American woman elected to the General Assembly in 1983; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband of 68 years, George, Sr., and one son, Ronald, Hilda Warden will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her son, George, Jr.; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Hilda Y. Warden; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Hilda Y. Warden as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 456
WHEREAS, Hilda Y. Warden, a respected educator who broke down barriers as one of the first African Americans to enter the Richmond Professional Institute School of Social Work and who served the Commonwealth as a legislative assistant to a Virginia senator, died on August 29, 2015; and
WHEREAS, a native of Richmond, Hilda Warden was an exceptionally gifted student; she graduated from Armstrong High School at the age of 13 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Union University at the age of 17; and
WHEREAS, while attending Virginia Union University, Hilda Warden was a founding member of the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a charter member of what became the sorority’s Richmond alumnae chapter; she was honored as the chapter’s oldest living member in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Hilda Warden began her professional career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse near Roanoke; she later worked in the Richmond Department of Welfare and the Richmond Department for the Aging; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to her community, Hilda Warden decided to further her education at the Richmond Professional Institute School of Social Work; she was one of the first African American students admitted to the school, but, unlike many of her white classmates, she was forced to quit her job and register as a full-time graduate student; and
WHEREAS, after earning a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling in 1954, Hilda Warden became a counselor at Virginia Union University, where she served for 11 years and directed many federal programs; and
WHEREAS, Hilda Warden served the residents of the Commonwealth for 18 years as a legislative assistant to the Honorable Yvonne B. Miller, who became the first African American woman elected to the General Assembly in 1983; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband of 68 years, George, Sr., and one son, Ronald, Hilda Warden will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her son George, Jr.; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Hilda Y. Warden; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Hilda Y. Warden as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.