I was honored to attend the 55th Annual Celebration of the Richmond Crusade for Voters, where Dr. William Ferguson Reid received the founders award. The Crusade for Voters was founded in 1956 as an effort to register African American voters.

In addition to being first African-American surgeon in Richmond, Dr. Reid was the first African American elected (1967) to the General Assembly in the 20th Century.Katherine Powell, Dr William Fergason Reid, Wayne Powell He led the struggle to desegregate medical educational associations and societies in Virginia, which enabled African American doctors to attain crucial surgical privileges at hospitals.

Serving three terms in the House of Delegates, “Fergie” continued his fight for social justice and equality in a multitude of ways, including advocating for the desegregation of the page system to enable minorities and females to serve.

On January 9, 2008, House Joint Resolution No. 139 was passed commending Dr. William Ferguson Reid:

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Dr. William Ferguson Reid, outstanding physician, groundbreaking civil rights activist, community leader, and former member of the General Assembly of Virginia; and be it…

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. William Ferguson Reid as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect, admiration, and esteem for his exceptional service to the Commonwealth and its people.