VCC Magazine Winter 2019

V irginia C apitol C onnections , W inter 2019 26 Virginia Professional Communicators honored Virginia General Assembly The Honorable Danica A. Roem (D-13th) as VPC Newsmaker of the Year for 2018. The group, which celebrates its 60th anniversary is a professional association that fosters excellence and ethics in communications. The award was presented October 13, at Hanover Tavern, in Hanover County. “Newsmaker of theYear” is a title that goes to the person (or group) with ties to Virginia and who has done something to make significant news in the past year. Roem joins a list of honorees that is long and impressive. Many of the winners have been active in politics, but they have also come from philanthropy (Patricia Kluge), the arts (Daphne and Time Reid), the military (Lt. Paula Coughlin), entrepreneurship (LilliamVernon), religion (a number of priests), and, of course, writers (Patricia Cornwell, Nikki Giovanni), and even our famous international movie star in 1978, Elizabeth Taylor). A native and resident of Manassas, Virginia, she worked as a reporter for the Gainesville Times and the PrinceWilliam Times, both in Virginia, and as the news editor of the Montgomery County Sentinel, in Maryland. After 10 years in journalism, she left in 2016 to run for office.  Roem made local and national headlines as the first openly transgender person to run for the Virginia legislature. She was also noteworthy for unseating a long-time conservative incumbent, Bob Marshall. Roem’s acceptance remarks focused on the importance of truth and power and the work she has done on behalf of constituents. She indicated that the road traffic issue she was elected to help resolve was partially addressed through legislation in 2018 and she gives credit to other assembly members for its passage. Since her time in office, Roem has also worked on legislation related to both Freedom of Information Act and shield laws. She says the skills she developed as a reporter have directly transferred to her role now. “I do a lot more listening than I do talking, and that’s the mark of a good reporter too,” she said. “Stay engaged, Roem advised the communicators. “Keep holding people like me accountable!” The majority of questions dealt with Freedom of Information laws and exemptions. In attendance were members who represent communicators in colleges and universities, government, media and private businesses. Editor’s Note: Many distinguished legislators win awards from interest groups, and general association. Send your award media releases to: Bonatwood@capitolsquare.com . Danica Roem Honored as Newsmaker of the Year L to R: Pam Stallsmith, Marcy Germanotta, Julie Campbell and Danica Roem. Ready to make some more? Interested in learning more about the life-changing Sorensen Institute experience? Join us for the Spring Gala , Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at the Altria Theatre, the only formal event this year, and reunite with your classmates. We’ll be focused on the General Assembly and how our lawmakers impact the Commonwealth... and on having a great evening with friends old and new! Forget party labels for the night. Make some new connections . Be there for new memories as we have a good time for a good cause and look forward to shaping Virginia’s future, together . SorensenInstitute.org Remember all the memories you made during your Sorensen class? V