Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR VIRGINIA WASHINGTON PETERKIN FOR HER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AND TO CONGRATULATE HER FOR BEING HONORED BY THE GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA -- MOUNTAINS TO MIDLANDS AS A 2022 WOMAN OF DISTINCTION.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Virginia Washington Peterkin will be honored by the Girls Scouts of South Carolina -- Mountains to Midlands at its twenty-eighth annual Women of Distinction Awards Dinner on April 7, 2022, at the Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center; and
Whereas, first awarded in 1993, the Women of Distinction Award recognizes local women of courage, confidence, and character, who exhibit exceptional professional and personal success, service to others, and have made a lasting impact in their communities; and
Whereas, born in Sumter County, Virginia Washington Peterkin is a licensed social worker; certified death and grief counselor; certified youth mentor; and is a retired state employee from the Department of Social Services, where she worked as a child abuse and neglect program coordinator; and
Whereas, a leader and organizer, she is a co-founder of PCAAY, an annual statewide youth retreat program for Presbyterian middle and high school youth. The program was started to empower youth, increase self-esteem, enhance education and social skills, develop leadership skills, and provide learning opportunities about the church; and
Whereas, at the Department of Social Services, she organized the first Child Abuse Prevention Walk-A-Thon in 2004; served as a community organizer for the department's Richland County office; and founded and organized a 411 Fest as part of which community organizations, agencies, schools, law enforcement, pastors, pharmacists, and physicians were invited to partner with the Department of Social Services, to connect the community with locally available resources. She also co-founded and served as vice chair of the Midlands Foundation for Foster Children; and
Whereas, among her many group memberships, Virginia Washington Peterkin is a renowned Girl Scout leader and member of the Girls Scouts of South Carolina -- Mountains to Midlands Service Unit 643. She also has served as an NAACP Youth Council advisor and life member, and, in 2002, helped to plan and organize the first NAACP National Day of College Preparation in South Carolina to assist students with SAT prep class expenses. The program was held annually in partnership with the Princeton Review, the University of South Carolina, and the local NAACP. She also organized and directed a SAT college prep lab at Northminster Presbyterian Church, where she is an ordained elder and deacon, as a follow up to the College Day Preparation Program; and
Whereas, she is married to Donaldson Peterkin and is the mother of two lovely daughters, Shanikwa and Shayla. A proud graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, she serves as president of the Columbia Alumni Chapter. She is a past member of the LM Atkinson's Boys and Girls Club and Richland School District Two Superintendent's Committee; and
Whereas, the recipient of numerous awards and well-known for her significant positive contributions directed towards South Carolina's youth, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are honored to join the Girl Scouts of South Carolina in recognizing Virginia Washington Peterkin as a Woman of Distinction. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Virginia Washington Peterkin for her many years of dedicated service and congratulate her for being honored by the Girls Scouts of South Carolina -- Mountains to Midlands as a 2022 Woman of Distinction.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Virginia Washington Peterkin.
This web page was last updated on March 29, 2022 at 2:17 PM