1. This year, the Virginia Education Association is enjoying a very special birthday!

2. Born in 1863, the VEA this year celebrates 150 years of advocacy on behalf of children and public education.

3. Conceived during the heart of the Civil War when Virginia school leaders first gathered in Petersburg, the Association has come to serve as the voice and the conscience of public education in Virginia.

4. Improving opportunities for children…

5. Professionalizing teaching…

6. Promoting and protecting human and civil rights…

7. And fighting for fair and equitable treatment of educators…

8. This year, during a very contentious but ultimately successful session of the Virginia General Assembly, VEA was recognized by legislators with a special anniversary Resolution delivered on the floor of the General Assembly in the Capitol building designed by Thomas Jefferson.

9. We invited members to learn more about VEA’s history and explore our headquarters, which is designated a historic building, at an Open House event.

10. We continued our celebration during the VEA’s Delegate Assembly in April. Led by VEA President Meg Gruber, we set a course for the Association for the year ahead, discussed issues such as the over-emphasis on testing, and, finally, gave our backing to the next Governor of Virginia, Mr. Terry McAuliffe.

11. The faces may change, but our vision remains the same: “A great public school for every child in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

12. Here’s to the next 150 years of success and growth for the Virginia Education Association!