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Standing On The Right Side Of History With Jennifer Carroll Foy

Taiya Jarrett | February 5, 2020

Topics: Equal Rights Amendment, General Assembly, Jennifer Carroll Foy, paid family medical leave, Petersburg, Pregnant Worker Fairness Act, Virginia House of Delegates, Virginia Military Institute

The delegate from Petersburg has fought hard for her place in the General Assembly, and fought just as hard to make Virginia the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. This is her story.

A month into 2020, the General Assembly has entered a new era of historical change as Democrats have taken control of Virginia’s legislative body. One specific issue that has received immediate attention from the new Democratic majority is equality for women. And the first concrete goal for the state in order to advance that agenda was becoming the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

This amendment to the United States Constitution, which passed through Congress nearly 50 years ago, would state that “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” In order for this amendment to become part of the Constitution, it must be ratified by 38 of the 50 states. And when, last month, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the amendment, the ERA became a pivotal moment in history — both for Virginia and the United States.

Even before the beginning of the 2020 General Assembly session, ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment was a top priority for Democratic Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy. But the fight for ratification was not just about the destination for Carroll Foy; it was also about the journey. 

Carroll Foy with ERA advocates on January 14, the day her resolution to ratify the ERA passed the House Privileges and Elections Committee. (Photo via Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy/Facebook)

Growing up 20 miles south of Richmond, VA in Petersburg, Carroll Foy was instilled by her grandmother with the idea that “You can do anything you put your mind to.” Taking inspiration from this phrase, Carroll Foy focused on her education, working to overcome adversity along the way.

“I remember being in high school, in my JROTC class, hearing at that time that there was a school that I couldn’t attend because I was a female,” said Carroll Foy. That school, Virginia Military Institute, was the last military college in the United States to refuse admittance to women. Carroll Foy was determined to attend, and after a 1997 Supreme Court decision ruled that the school would have to admit women, she did. “I was accepted, and then I actually graduated in the third class of women to ever graduate from the Virginia Military Institute.”

Carroll Foy continued to defy societal expectations for African American women, earning a Master’s Degree in English from Virginia State University, then moving to the west coast to obtain a law degree at San Diego’s Thomas Jefferson School of Law. When she returned to Virginia, she began working as a city magistrate in Richmond before becoming a public defender.

“Being a public defender and helping people who are over 100 percent below the poverty line was something I was really passionate about,” Carroll Foy said, expressing empathy with her clients. ”Those are kids, people with substance abuse issues, mental illness.”

By January of 2017, she’d decided to take another step to help the people she worked with as a public defender. She decided to run for office to become the Second District’s representative in Virginia’s House Of Delegates. During the campaign, she became a mother of twins. Initially bombarded with concerns of how she was going to manage life as a mother, a wife, an attorney, and a candidate running for a seat in the House of Delegates that had been previously held by a Republican, Carroll Foy grew frustrated with those who suggested she’d have to decide whether she wanted to focus on motherhood or her career. “Why do they have to be ‘or’s’? Why can’t they be ‘and’s’?” she asked. “Why can’t I do it all?”

Carroll Foy with her son Alex on the House floor on the day the ERA was officially ratified by Virginia’s General Assembly. (Photo via Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy/Facebook)

So far in her time in office, she’s proven that she can. As a legislator, Carroll Foy seeks challenges that offer an opportunity to alter the prejudicial and sexist paradigm. She wants to make sure change is made, and done so properly. “Equality is not something I’m willing to compromise,” she said.

Carroll Foy began fighting to pass the ERA as soon as she took her seat in the General Assembly in 2018. During the fight, she worked closely with Richmond-based advocate Eileen Davis, along with advocacy organizations like the ERA Coalition, Virginia National Organization for Women, VA ratify ERA, and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Before the 2019 election, she was unable to convince the Republican-controlled House Of Delegates to pass the ERA. At the end of that unsuccessful battle, she told Republicans, “If we can’t change your mind on women’s equality, we will have to change your seat.”

To Carroll Foy, the ERA has never been a secondary issue.“We have the equal pay act, but we need an Equal Rights Amendment as a constitutional anchor to really give those laws teeth,” she said. ”Once you start to pay women what they are worth, you lift millions of women, and millions of families.”

Carroll Foy isn’t just a one-issue legislator, though. She is currently working on legislation to end wage theft through a bill requiring contractors to pay what’s known as a “prevailing wage” — a wage matching the average paid to workers in similar positions in their industry. She’s also introduced the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act, which would require employers to make “reasonable accommodation” for pregnant employees, as well as a bill establishing a paid family and medical leave program through the Virginia Employment Commission. 

Carroll Foy addresses the House Of Delegates on January 15. (Photo via Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy/Facebook)

But the passage of the ERA has been a big victory for Carroll Foy, one she hopes will prove that Virginia is on a new course. 

“This sends a message throughout the country that we are now on the right side of history,” said Carroll Foy. “What this says is that Virginia has come to a turning point, and now with Democrats in control, we are going to fight for fairness, equality, and justice across the board.”

Additional reporting by Marilyn Drew Necci. Top Photo via Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy/Facebook

Best of VA Missed Connections October 23 – October 29

RVA Staff | October 29, 2019

Topics: Ashland, Best of craigslist, Central Virginia, Charlottesville, craigslist, Fredericksburg, missed connections, Norfolk, Petersburg, richmond, RVA missed connections, virginia, Virginia Beach

Halloween’s almost here, but this week Missed Connections is more about kicking dope rhymes than it is about costumery. If you can come up with a more creative couplet than one that pairs “beautiful” with “cuticles,” you just might find the hottie of your dreams.

Sexist stereotypes and extremely obvious marijuana references won’t win anyone anything except maybe a call from a narc, but painting secret-admirer mash notes on rocks and leaving them at your crush’s front door certainly might get you some attention. Meanwhile, it might be time to sweep the bathroom floor — the remnants of last week’s haircut seem to have attained sentience, and are making debatably threatening Craigslist posts about you.

If all else fails, maybe you can cure your loneliness at Kroger. If nothing else, it’s objectively the best grocery store chain in the city, so you’ll at least be able to get some good deals on produce.

Snack hard, Virginia.

The time is 4:20 (Stafford, VA)

Where are you Mr. Green?? The time is 4:20…Do you know what I mean? Extra for delivery

Lyft Rider-You were a witch

Saturday night. you and a friend were witches. You are the WM. Remember me?

What is it about?

Crazy women that make them lousy in relationships but the best in bed?

JJ1CZ (Costco)

One HOT MAMA, wished we could have spoken

Liv works at samsclub col. Hghts (Colonial heights)

I think your name tag said Liv. But you work at Sam’s Club you look incredible. Jaw dropping incredible I just wanted to let you know. Even though I am sure you already know that. If you happen to read this hope it brightens your day.

Your your the voice inside my head (Virgina beach)

I miss you, now I am acting like a punk clinching the tissue. We said I was just for fun, no attachment or trying to get serious. Then I got to know you, and you intrigued me being so mysterious. Things happen and everything got so delirious so I am trying to reach back to you because my heart is searching so furious. We use skate and make love I would always give you back rubs. Holding you nice and tight, maybe once day me and you can once again see a sunset cause you are my sunlight. You know who you are beautiful message me so I can get all up in your cuticles.

Sorry to disturb you friday (Innsbrook)

Sorry about that. Friday I was having my lunch in my work parking lot out near capital one and parked in the back to eat. Didn’t realize anyone was in the car but I saw the two of you climb up from the back seat and you took off. Sorry to be a blocker!

Walmart

Have you stopped thinking about me yet? I saw you watching me the whole time despite being with someone else.

Split ends (Ok)

Cut.
Cut me off.
Trim me down.
Look at me laying
On the floor.
Powerless.
Sweep me
Into you pan,
And look at me
One last time
Before you tilt
Your wrist
To banish me.
Deplorable.
Wash away the
Rest of me
And start
New.

“Love Rock” (Chesapeake)

On Wednesday October 23rd, a stone painted white on the top and words written in purple, red, and gold was found on top of my mailbox. I’m aware that rocks are passed around randomly all the time in this community with cute messages on them. I find really small ones around work once in a while. Except this time, I don’t believe it was from a stranger. They obviously knew where I lived. I believe the rock was a message for me. I am not sure whether to pass it on or find the person that left it. It is a mystery to me that I want to solve. I believe it was a message of love. If it was you or you know who it was, please reach out and give me an answer. I have never received anything like this before in my life, obviously this is a special and unique gift. My heart wants an answer. I need to find out why they have left it for me. This rock is more like a stone that was from my own garden or someplace by the water. It’s about 3-4 inches long and has some weight to it. The following words were written on it:

“Your love is golden!”

Girl dancing in the yellow beetle (Ashland, VA)

You were so cute dancing in your car. I tried to get your eye, but we were going about 85 on the interstate. I’m staying in Ashland, VA tonight but don’t live in the Richmond area. Just wanted to let you know how good your energy felt. Made me put on some music and dance myself. 😉

Were you driving a new or old beetle?

Kroger m4w (Short pump)

Was that a connection? We kept sharing looks. I wanted to talk to you but you kept driving after leaving store. What was I wearing?

Kroger

You had glasses. Black shirt. Hair in a ponytail off to the side. Tattoo on your left arm. Very pretty woman. You were at the doors talking to employees. I was the guy at customer service. Kinda stared at you.

The Pulse Bus (Willow Lawn)

You were the short haired blond woman with four friends on the Pulse bus today around noon. You got off at Willow Lawn. You are smoking hot. I wanted to say something to you but I didn’t want to interrupt the conversation you were having with your friends.

I’d like to have a cup of coffee or a cocktail with you.

Tell me what had on.

Like skin girl working at Pizza Hut (Hopewell)

I wanted to ask for your number but I don’t usually like asking while someones at work. But here I am regreting not asking. Tell me what’s on the screen.

Orange shoes & sweater, camel silvers and a little pick up at WaWa

WaWa W. Broad-

You were wearing orange tennis shoes and an orange sweater. You bought camel silvers, complimented my shirt and drove off in a little pick up truck. You are SO cute.! Hope to hear back.

April at Wawa (Fredericksburg Virginia)

Hoping you might see this we talk this morning you said you was getting off in 15 minutes I said jump in the little white truck I’ll take you home like to talk with you more

Golds Gym Swiftcreek- Colorful pant… wears a hat

You are a blonde WF… I typically see you early morning. I’m typically leaving as you come in. I noticed you looking at me while you were on the stairmaster. What do I look like? 😉

Walmart (Sheila lane)

I helped you at the self checkout. You have beautiful hair … well…beautiful everything. If your interested in grabbing some food, go for a walk or catch a movie , let me know. To know its you, tell me how i helped.

American Family Sauna

We were in the sauna at the same time, made eye connection several times. Can provide more details and description. Both WM. Email me.

Richmond Airport

I asked if you were lost.. and you said?

Saucys (Petersburg)

We had a good convo the other night and would like to grab a drink sometime. I should have said something at the time but by the time I went to you were leaving.

Best of RVA Missed Connections: November 14 – November 20

RVA Staff | November 20, 2018

Topics: dog park, Godfrey's, indian river road, missed connections, moms siam, Petersburg, The National, vcu, wonder woman, WTF

It’s a short week, and we’re all hurrying to get through it and get to the long Thanksgiving weekend already. But before you make your Black Friday shopping plans, you might want to find some loving. That’s where Missed Connections comes in.

This week, we’ve got all sorts of hanky-panky going on, from military gym rats and dog park habitues to tomato planters and friendly waitresses. If you’re into turtles, or racing your BMW on the interstate, someone might just be looking for you. Just be careful you don’t blow it because you couldn’t find parking! This ain’t amateur hour.

The husky bearded white dude by the vcu library

Long shot. We started taking by the compass. After talking for sometime. You asked me if i have a gf and then called me handsome. You have some great sleeve ink and beautiful country accent. Hit me up, man. Would love to get together at some point. 

Enchanted (Scottsville)

“Daddy” misses his “enchanted” princess. Seems like it’s been “everlong”

Yng lady tryn to keep the peace (Godfreys)

You were with your friend who wore glasses n was “friends” with one of my friends but u n your friend danced together most of the night. You talked to me for a moment and we played footsy with our fingers. I would like to get to know you better if thats okay. Tell me if u remember me? 

On 64 east by Indian river rd

I’m a male, We shared a look or three, before I exited you slid your foot up in your seat sliding your skirt up next time I will let you see. Let me know when and where your going to be so I can give you a show 

LoriA (Colonial Hts)

You looked just a little TOO good when I saw you yesterday. To quote Rhett Butler, “You should be kissed and often. And by someone who knows how!” Wish it was me…..that burgundy lipstick to match your top was just SINFUL! 

A- (Petersburg)

I doubt you will see this. Few yrs ago. You had medium length red hair. We met and instant chemistry. The record player always on. You said I was the first guy who could keep up. I helped plant your tomatoes. You borrowed my hat and tshirt then disappeared. Best 6 weeks ever. Lost your contact info. Hope life is blessed. Thanks for the memories. 

Dawn at Mom’s Siam

Dawn, we met at Mom’s Siam last night and were heading for another drink at Buddy’s when they closed. I don’t think either of us could find parking. I passed you as we both searched a couple of times.

Here’s hoping you see this. I wish I’d thought to give you my number

Wonder Woman (C-field)

I miss you. Saw you a few times at the pool this summer looking so sexy. Really wish we could re-connect. 

RE: Beautiful and not shy woman at slightly stooped concert (The National)

I was standing to the left of you. You were with your gf, I assume. She’s a thin blonde. Your hair was pulled back, and you have a beard.

Just letting you know I see this. It was fun 😉 

Turkish bmw

To the gorgeous turkish girl racing me down 95 in a BMW… I let you win 

Dog Park (Ocean view)

I was at the playground with my kids and you pulled up in front of me with your dog, he was wearing a harness with “in training”. You walked into the dog park and I couldn’t help but notice how attractive you were. You made eye contact a few times. I hope you see this ad! If you do what color sweater we’re you using and what color and brand were your shoes. If you could tell me what color shorts I was wearing I would know that’s it’s you for sure! 

Miseed P from Bon Air (Providence Road)

What a pleasant surprise to bump into you. Have missed your smile and spirit, as well as the turtles. We keep bumping into each other. Would love to talk. S  

Met at gym You came over twice for massage (Glen Allen)

When I was here for work after Labor Day, we met at the gym and you ended up coming to my hotel room twice in two weeks for massage.

You were mid20s, great build, forget if you said Army or USMC, your gym bag had a college logo on it (trying to be discrete here.)

You wanted to come again the following week but I had already checked out.

Anyway, I’m back for work, same hotel, brought my massage stuff and fleshlight but lost your email so try me again man.

Alamo?

You were the initial waitress for me and my family at the beginning of our movie. You wrote a heart on my check at the end of the movie. I wasnt sure if it was something you normally do or if there was something there?

If there was something, I’m totally interested. Tell me what movie it was, and maybe what I ordered or was wearing if it’s really you. 

Petersburg’s Trussel Still Injecting the Funk After 40 Years

Daniel Berti | July 6, 2018

Topics: disco, DJ Larry Levan, funk, Petersburg, Trussel

In the summer of 1979, Petersburg funk band Trussel made it to the #23 spot on the Billboard charts with their song, “Love Injection,” an infectious disco groove that became a national hit. The song was especially popular in gay bars in New York City, like Paradise Garage and The Loft, where pioneering DJ Larry Levan made it a nightclub staple.

It was the first song released from their 1980 album of the same name, and Trussel’s first release on major label Elektra records. “Love Injection” showcases the band’s ability to lock in on a disco break and grind it out for eight sweaty minutes. It’s one of the few purely disco numbers that the band recorded in its short-lived existence; the rest of their discography is rooted primarily in the style of 1970s funk and soul.

Trussel was formed in 1973 by a cadre of Virginia State University students. The group formed their own record label in 1975 called Bridge the Gap Records, and released their first two singles on the imprint. Their first single, “Bicentennial Boogie,” helped boost their profile regionally. The B-side, “How Many Tricks in 1976,” was a political song that expressed the undercurrent of paranoia in the United States at the time. It was released in the fallout of Watergate, and just after the fall of Saigon, when trust in American politicians was at an all-time low.

The band caught a break shortly after the release of their second single. They were tapped to be the backing band for 17-year-old Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King, who would go on to release the disco hit “Shame” in 1977, which reached #9 on the US billboard charts. She would become an even bigger star in the 1980s with her albums I’m in Love and Get Loose. The band performed with her shortly before her breakout in 1977.

Trussel was then signed to Elektra in 1978 and released three singles and a full-length record on the label, but declined the label’s offer for a second album. The band had wanted the cover of Love Injection to feature a picture of the band but Elektra refused, opting instead for a drawing of a butterfly and a flower, presumably because the label didn’t want black faces on the cover of the record. This led to a dispute that prompted the band to leave Elektra shortly after the release of Love Injection.

Trussel broke up in the early 80s, and “Love Injection” remains their standalone hit, but their legacy as a regional powerhouse lives on today. Their DIY ethic and quality songwriting is strongly representative of the Richmond region’s reputation for producing outstanding musicians.

The will to create culture where there is none has been a consistent feature of the area’s arts landscape, and musicians and artists routinely produce high quality work with scarce resources. Almost 40 years later, Trussel remains one of the regions best known exports.

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Petersburg Overturns 1950s Motion that Preserved Segregation of Wilcox Lake

Saffeya Ahmed | June 25, 2018

Topics: 1950, City Council, Petersburg, richmond, Schools, Segregation, virginia

After more than half a century, Petersburg City Council has approved a motion to reopen Wilcox Lake, which was previously closed in 1958 to prevent desegregation in the area. City Councilwoman Treska Wilson-Smith brought the motion forward this year, after previously attempting to pass it five years prior.

“The council of 1958 made a decision to close the lake so as to prevent African Americans from swimming with others,” Wilson-Smith said. “Something was in our book that upheld racism. I feel that I must do what I can to preserve the history of the African-American in Petersburg.”

Sixty years ago, Wilcox Lake was a popular recreational swimming facility – but only for white people. In 1958, some of Petersburg’s African-American residents wanted to open the lake up recreationally to everyone. In response, the city council (which at the time was all-white), closed the lake and the entire swimming facility down. Wilcox Lake has been closed to the public ever since, preserving the area’s segregated past well into the 21st century.

June 19 marks the date Petersburg City Council approved the lake’s reopening. The date holds an extra amount of weight, coinciding as the date commemorating the emancipation of the last remaining slaves in the U.S., nicknamed “Juneteenth.”

“Juneteenth is the celebration of the end of slavery,” Wilson-Smith said. “And this motion is the end of a segregated act by [Petersburg City Council].”

Despite overturning the previous 1958 motion in a “monumental” decision last week, the present-day Wilcox Lake might not be much more than a pretty view. In 2013, Petersburg spokeswoman Joanne Williams told NBC12 “the lake will probably never be open for swimming because of the liability to the city.”

Even though it may not reopen as a full-blown swimming facility again, the decision to reestablish Wilcox Lake as a public recreational area is a step in the right direction for Petersburg.

The 1958 decision to close down Wilcox Lake was not too surprising, given the racial tension that existed in Petersburg at the time. The New York Times reported, “Petersburg had full-dress segregation into the 1960’s, including separate Bibles in courtrooms and separate entrances and reading rooms in the library.” The city did not integrate schools until nearly 15 years after the crucial Brown v. Board of Education decision in favor of desegregation – quite the opposite of the call for racial integration with “all deliberate speed” in the 1955 Brown v. Board of Education II decision.  

Despite “integrating,” Petersburg implemented “freedom of choice” plans like many other school districts at the time, giving students the right to choose to attend white or black schools. The policy kept schools naturally segregated, as most students chose to stay at the schools they already attended.

We’d all like to think desegregation is a problem of the past, and that all there is left to do is overturn outdated motions like that of Wilcox Lake. However, the Richmond-Petersburg area still has a major problem with isolation of certain racial groups – most prominently in education. A 2013 report conducted by the The Civil Rights Project at UCLA found nearly 20% of all schools in the Richmond and Petersburg districts were “intensely segregated,” and 40% were “stably segregated” in 2010.

The lines of segregation see overlap in race and economic status; the report found that the average black student attended schools where low-income students made up more than half of the school’s enrollment. Meanwhile, their white counterparts attended schools where low-income students only made up a quarter of the school’s enrollment. Virginia’s major metropolitan regions have experienced surges in multi-racial diversity, but the CRP report found school districts across the state lacking in integration of their African-American and Latino populations.

Regardless of the long-overdue desegregation of Wilcox Lake, where race relations in central Virginia are concerned, there’s a lot of work left to do. Still, it’s nice to see Petersburg working to heal the wounds left by the city’s legacy of racism.

VSU Collective Troubled Empire Drop New Video, ‘Notice’

Daniel Brickhouse | February 5, 2018

Topics: hip hop, Petersburg, R&B, rap, Troubled Empire, VSU

An up and coming hip hop/ R&B collective at Virginia State University has recently come across our radar, but the group of singers, rappers, and other creatives have been making waves in Petersburg, and in the area for quite a while.

Troubled Empire, was founded by Troubled Mal, and features fellow VSU students and artists Blue Bynum, Don Juan, DJ Wake, Lorenzo Cheatham, Brenten Layne, and Derrick Wilson. The collective has been getting their name out with performances at VSU’s homecoming alongside Playboi Carter and 21 Savage, along with the Square Festival in New York and the Manchester Gallery, and most recently, the group dropped a video for their song called, “Notice”. And from the lyrics, to the beat, to the message,  its one that grabs your attention for sure.

“Basically we’re trying to wake people up, take off their blindfolds per say. We’re trying to wake them up to all the propaganda they’re fed daily,” said fellow member Blue Bynum, whose real name is Devin Bynum. “Not just focus on politics, this is based on music that people hear, from television to the radio. All that stuff, all the propaganda that people are fed, we’re here to help them ‘notice,’ pun intended, that they need to wake up and we’re going to be the ones to do that.”  

Mal, whose real name is Malcolm Pinckney, added they also want to use the song as a way to introduce new audiences to their group.

“We also want people to wake up to Troubled Empire as well, it’s our time now. I’m saying it’s our time, not only from the perspective of Troubled Empire but as people as well,” he said.

“Notice,” hooks you in from the beginning with four young people with red blindfolds on nodding their heads while they watch the news, to a lecture hall where a professor is talking with a slide that reads “Trump is the Next Martin Luther King” behind him. The beat and Bynum’s swift rhymes pull you in from there with him trying to wake his fellow classmates up to what’s going on around them.

The video was directed by Ryan Dickerson and produced and edited by Shamir Tyner. Be on the lookout for more from this group as we can continue to follow them. 

 

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