WHEREAS, Yvonne Jeanette Baker Lewis, an esteemed educator and civic leader and a beloved member of the Hampton Roads community, died on March 18, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Yvonne Lewis attended Howard University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1971 and a master's degree two years later before dedicating herself to her career as an educator; and

WHEREAS, Yvonne Lewis first worked as a speech, language, and hearing pathologist at Tracys Landing in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and then in California and Connecticut before ultimately settling in Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, over her 25-year career with Chesapeake Public Schools, Yvonne Lewis fostered the dreams and ambitions of her students and contributed greatly to their success both in and out of the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Yvonne Lewis gave generously of her time to many professional and civic organizations, including serving as president of the Virginia Beach Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as president of the South Hampton Roads Pan-Hellenic Council, and as the Tidewater regional representative of the National Women's Political Caucus of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her leadership in the community, Yvonne Lewis was appointed by Governor Ralph S. Northam in 2019 to serve on the Commonwealth's first Virginia African American Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, Yvonne Lewis played a prominent role in the push for the Commonwealth to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment by serving on the strategic planning committee that led the Virginia Social Action Task Force of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's participation in the "VARatifyERA" campaign; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout her life by her faith, Yvonne Lewis most recently enjoyed worship and fellowship with her community at Second Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by her daughters Adrienne and Kahlizsa, Yvonne Lewis will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her loving husband, Arthur; her children, Mignon and Jeanene, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Yvonne Jeanette Baker Lewis, a cherished member of the Hampton Roads community whose devotion to serving other impacted countless lives; 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 Yvonne Jeanette Baker Lewis as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.