WHEREAS, Victoria Kidd, an activist, speaker, writer, and entrepreneur, who has made many contributions to the Northern Virginia community, received the inaugural LGBTQ-owned Business Achievement Award from the United States Chamber of Commerce in 2021; and
WHEREAS, the owner of Hideaway Cafe in Winchester, Victoria Kidd received the LGBTQ-owned Business Achievement Award part of the Dream Big Awards program, which honors businesses in multiple categories for their commitment to excellence and community leadership; and
WHEREAS, under Victoria Kidd's leadership, Hideaway Cafe has been a safe and welcoming gathering place for countless members of the LGBTQ community, particularly young people, and the award recognized her commitment to operating the establishment safely during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Victoria Kidd and Hideaway Cafe were selected from a pool for more than 1,000 qualified applicants from around the country; and
WHEREAS, Victoria Kidd previously served as the plaintiff in a marriage equality case, representing more than 18,000 couples in the Commonwealth, and she has served on the boards of numerous organizations focusing on LGBTQ rights; and
WHEREAS, Victoria Kidd has supported her community by raising more than $40,000 in cash and in-kind donations to support worthy charitable organizations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Victoria Kidd, winner of the 2021 LGBTQ-owned Business Achievement Award from the United States Chamber of Commerce, hereby be commended for her accomplishments as a business owner and an advocate for the LGBTQ community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Victoria Kidd as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her personal and professional achievements.