Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Phew! If you know any reporters, send them coffee today. Lots and lots of coffee. Yesterday, collectively across Virginia, was the media’s Black Friday. Wake up early, stay out late, and mingle, mingle, mingle. Election Day always comes with a bit of trepidation for me—I get a little nervous because while some folks are super kind and happy to chat about the election, others aren’t very pleasant.

Then, there are people like Drury Holland. I’d never met him before yesterday, but as soon as I walked up and asked him for an interview, he gladly took the mic. I asked if there was a person in his life who’d inspired him to perform his civic duty—and while I won’t spoil his answer for you, I’ll link it right here and preface that it’ll leave you with a smile.

I don’t know who Drury voted for. I don’t know who you voted for. But I do know that in Virginia this morning, there are going to be some thrilled people and some unhappy folks. I just hope, no matter which side you find yourself on, we can all be a little like Drury today, spreading a smile to all those we might encounter. I’m so glad you’re here.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., speaks during an interview at Libbie Mill Library in Henrico County, Va., Nov. 25, 2024, after she announced she will run for Virginia governor. (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly)

By Dogwood Staff

Virginia’s next governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and an expansion of control in the House of Delegates were all victories that went to the Democrats on Tuesday night. 

The evening began with a historic win for Abigail Spanberger, who will become Virginia’s first female governor. Spanberger, a former CIA officer and US House representative, ran a campaign based on making Virginia a more affordable place to live and on the promise she would fight back against Trump administration policies hurting Virginians. 

State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi also made history by becoming the first Muslim and first Indian-American to serve as Virginia’s lieutenant governor. Her campaign focused on the importance of reproductive freedom, protecting public education, and fighting for workers’ rights. 

Jay Jones also came out on top as Virginia’s first Black attorney general. Jones overcame a bruising scandal over old text messages he sent suggesting that a Republican state lawmaker should be shot and that his kids should die. He repeatedly apologized for the texts and his victory suggests voters were willing to look past the scandal in favor of his promise to fight back against Trump administration policies that are hurting Virginia. 

Democrats also expanded control of the Virginia House of Delegates, ensuring the future of three important constitutional amendments they passed in a previous General Assembly session and one just last week as part of a special session on redistricting. 

A statue in Pocahontas’ honor on Jamestown Island pays tribute to the young peacekeeper, central to the first English settlement in Virginia. (Highsmith, Carol M./Library of Congress)

Long before she met the English, Pocahontas was a young Powhatan girl growing up in coastal Virginia. Her true story is more complex, and more tragic, than the animated version portrayed.

Her real name was Matoaka, daughter of Wahunsenacawh (Chief Powhatan). “Pocahontas” was a nickname, meaning “playful one.”

When the English arrived in 1607, Pocahontas was around 11 years old. Her people’s world was thriving—but colonization, which brought about hunger and disease, shattered that balance.

This is part one of a four-part history series honoring National Native American Heritage Month.

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