Today, Virginia Humanities announced three recipients of the inaugural Commonwealth Humanities Award. The award celebrates remarkable individuals and organizations who have made exceptional contributions to the humanities in Virginia and who have made a significant impact on Virginia’s cultural landscape.
“The humanities help us all better understand ourselves and each other, a quality that’s important now more than ever,” said Matthew Gibson, Virginia Humanities’ executive director. “We established the Commonwealth Humanities Award as a way to recognize the great work that other institutions and individuals are doing to make the humanities part of the everyday lives of Virginians.”
The humanities help us all better understand ourselves and each other, a quality that’s important now more than ever.
Matthew Gibson
Three recipients will be formally honored during a special dinner and awards presentation preceding the inaugural Commonwealth Lecture in the Humanities on April 10 in Richmond at the Altria Theater.
Individual Excellence
- Lynda Johnson Robb: For her work as an advocate for reading and literacy, children’s literature, and women’s history, particularly the Virginia Women’s Cultural History Project—a collaboration with Helen Bradshaw Byrd of Berryville and a group of humanities consultants—that culminated in the exhibition and book, A Share of Honour
Corporate or Foundation Excellence
- Dominion Energy: For their work supporting and celebrating literature, Virginia history, and the incredible cultural richness of the Commonwealth
Community Partner Excellence
- Elegba Folklore Society: For offering African Diasporic cultural experiences and promoting immersive activities that illuminate the present and value the past
The Commonwealth Lecture in the Humanities’ honorary chair is First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne S. Youngkin. Tickets to the public lecture featuring David Brooks and the awards dinner are available at VirginiaHumanities.org.
Explore More
- Get tickets to the Commonwealth Lecture in the Humanities with David Brooks
- Learn more about the lecture and awards dinner
About Virginia Humanities
Virginia Humanities is the state humanities council. We’re headquartered in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia, but we serve the entire state. We aim to share the stories of all Virginians—or, better yet, find ways for people to share their own stories. We want Virginians to connect with their history and culture and, in doing that, we hope we’ll all get to know each other a little better. Founded in 1974, we are one of fifty-six humanities councils created by Congress with money and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to make the humanities available to all Americans. To learn more, visit VirginiaHumanities.org.
