Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

For those who’ve been around for a while, you know we do our very best to tailor our newsletter to things that genuinely interest you. And for the folks who’ve found us recently? Surprise! We do our very best to tailor our newsletter to what genuinely interests you. 

That’s why we’re taking a moment to ask what matters most to you right now. This short survey should take just a few minutes, and it truly does help inform our reporting. Our survey closes end of day Monday. Thanks for your continued support, and remember, I’m so glad you’re here.

The Virginia Women’s Monument features seven life-sized bronze statues. (Virginia Tourism Corporation)

By Aila Boyd

Here’s what you need to know: Women’s History Month is the perfect time for a fun and thoughtful day trip. As the weather starts to warm up, consider exploring the monuments, historic homes, and museums that highlight the significant influence of female Virginians on history.

Our top picks:

• For a snapshot of the contributions women have made to the commonwealth over the centuries, turn to the Virginia Women’s Monument in Richmond. It features seven life-sized bronze statues of influential ladies who called Virginia home.

• Although Mount Vernon is most closely associated with George Washington, it was also home to the nation’s inaugural first lady, Martha Washington. To learn more about Martha’s life at Mount Vernon, visitors can explore the mansion or the museum, which reopens in March after an extensive rebuild.

• Learn more about the contributions African American women made during the Space Race at the Virginia Air & Space Science Center in Hampton. “NASA Langley: The Story Behind the Science” focuses on the mathematicians whose calculations helped launch John Glenn into orbit and contributed to the eventual Apollo moon landing.

Want to learn more? We’ve got more on these and other women’s history sites at the link below. 

If you read Wednesday’s newsletter, I hinted at the number of responses Dogwood received when we asked what readers hoped Gov. Abigail Spanberger touched on in her rebuttal to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. 

At the time, there were over 400 messages. In the end, there were more than 880. Affordability was a big one. I’m right there with you; I’d love to see the price of necessities—and maybe a couple nice-to-haves—come down. 

While I wish I could shoutout every response I received, Bonnie W.’s came with a compliment—and it made me feel happy when she said she really likes Dogwood’s newsletter. 

Bonnie wrote: “I think our governor should focus on affordability, a version of: ‘Is your life better off now’ or ‘have any of the promises Trump has made about how your life would change be better (financial, social, safety) come true’?” 

Honestly, I think Bonnie predicted the message of the speech spot-on. If you haven’t watched Spanberger’s rebuttal yet, here’s a link. It’s not too late to hop in on the conversation—let me know what you thought of Spanberger’s rebuttal at amie@couriernewsroom.com. 

Workers and members of the Service Employees International Union, Virginia 512, protesting US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in downtown Richmond on Jan. 23, 2026. (Michael O’Connor/Dogwood)

By Ava Edwards

Want to get politically engaged this week? You can protest in Suffolk, march in Norfolk, celebrate your immigrant neighbors’ art in Richmond, and more.

Three weekend events:

• Farmville Visibility Brigade: February Action
  Farmville, Friday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

• Shenandoah County Democrats: Woodstock VA’s Protest
  Woodstock, Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Richmond Artists Against Deportations: No Pasaran ICE OUT Popup Exhibition and Fundraiser Opening Reception
  
  Richmond, Saturday, 6 p.m.

Read more about these and other upcoming opportunities at the link below. 

• Gov. Abigail Spanberger blasted President Donald Trump for skyrocketing costs and chaos in her State of the Union rebuttal. She slammed his policies for inflating everyday expenses and fueling disorder nationwide. (Read more)

• Virginia students continue ICE protests despite school suspensions. Students participated in an on-campus protest after Woodbridge High School suspended 323 students for an ICE walkout. (See post)

• Live-in domestic workers in Virginia do not get overtime pay, but they are fighting to change that with a bill in the General Assembly. These are nannies, health care providers, caregivers, and house cleaners. (Watch here)

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