WHEREAS, Josie Stewart has made significant strides in breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity within Loudoun County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, as the first-ever Black assistant principal in Loudoun County Public Schools, Josie Stewart has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication to education; and

WHEREAS, Josie Stewart's journey reflects the resilience and determination required to navigate through the injustices of the Jim Crow era, during which time she faced segregation firsthand; and

WHEREAS, Josie Stewart's tenure as a substitute teacher at Douglass High School in 1977, followed by her service as assistant principal during the 1980s, contributed significantly to the educational landscape of Loudoun County, especially within the alternative high school and special education sectors; and

WHEREAS, Josie Stewart's remarkable achievement as the first Black female principal for secondary schools in Loudoun County marks a historic milestone in the school division's progress toward diversity and equality; and

WHEREAS, in May 2023, Josie Stewart took part in a rededication ceremony for the Historic Douglass High School Education & Development Campus, recognizing the legacy of the school and her enduring commitment to the betterment of education and her community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Josie Stewart for her pioneering contributions to education, her unwavering dedication to fostering inclusivity, and her role as a trailblazer in breaking down barriers in Loudoun County Public Schools; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Josie Stewart as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her exemplary service to young people and leadership in the field of education.