Virginia Simms George rarely talks about her historic role in the country’s civil rights movement.
But 64 years later, the Northborough resident is opening up about her experiences living in segregated Virginia and the risks she took to bring about change as one of the Richmond 34 – a group of college students who took part in a nonviolent sit-in that eventually led to the desegregation of the City of Richmond.
And as more people learn about her past, George is being recognized for her actions then, along with her years of mentorship and community service since.
George, of Northborough, the chair of the Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School Committee, was one of 75 individuals recently honored at the “Black Excellence on the Hill’’ recognition event at the State House.
Superintendent Ernest F. Houle said he is grateful that George has shared her knowledge, passion and expertise with the district.
"Through her unwavering dedication to fight for what’s right and her tireless commitment to community service, Ms. George is an inspiring role model for not only our students and faculty but community as a whole,” Houle said. “The district joins others in thanking her and applauding her for this long overdue recognition.’’
George was selected for her work in civil rights, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and service on the Assabet committee and for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
She was nominated by state Rep. Kate Donaghue, who was unaware of George’s background in Richmond until she spoke with her to share the news of her nomination.
“It was just a real surprise to learn about the work she had done in the civil rights movement," Rep. Donaghue said. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is incredible.’’’
Rep. Donaghue also presented George with a citation from the House of Representatives.
Few people know the extent of her role, though George said it was never intentional to keep it quiet. She doesn’t like to talk about herself, and she didn’t fully understand the impact of her actions until 14 years ago when she attended a 50th anniversary recognition event at Virginia Union University, her alma mater.
“It was overwhelming to see what people were saying,’’ said George shortly after the reunion during an interview for the Civil Rights History Project, a joint effort of the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History & Culture. “They were calling us heroes. This group of 34 desegregated the City of Richmond. I was proud that I had made the decision to participate, and this was the result.’’
George was born and raised in Newport News, Va., and attended Virginia Union University at a time when nonviolent protests were spreading throughout the nation. On the morning of Feb. 22, 1960, students from the university marched into downtown Richmond to Thalhimers department store. Thirty-four of the students, including George sat down at the whites-only Richmond Room lunch counter and participated in a nonviolent sit-in. The 34 students refused to leave and were eventually arrested and charged with trespassing.
The students' arrests were appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, which in 1963 vacated the convictions in a major victory for civil rights advocates.
The group’s actions would lead to the eventual desegregation of Richmond as a whole. While other students continued their activism, George said her father insisted that she focus on her education.
After graduating from VUU with a degree in history, she worked as a human resources professional, as well as a teacher and counselor.
For the past 12 years, she has served as a member of the Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School Committee and is currently serving as Chair. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Association of Schools Committees and chair of Division X, focusing on inclusion, diversity and equity.
For the Town of Northborough, she serves as chair of the Personnel Board, a member of the DEI Committee and member of the Council on Aging. She has previously served as chair of the Community Affairs Committee and a member of the Library Trustees.
In 2012, she was honored with an Honorary Alumna Recognition Award from Alfred University, in Alfred, N.Y. -- her husband Fred George Jr.'s alma mater -- for her volunteer work in the university's Career Center and the Women's Leadership Center.
George said she was shocked to be honored at the State House and didn’t realize how much the recognition meant until the event.
“I never did what I did for recognition or awards,’ she said. “I did it because it was important to me and what I felt needed to be done. I never expected to receive any awards. This came to me unexpectedly but very much appreciated.’’
Now that the word is out, George said she is open to speaking about it more with the hope that her story could educate and inspire others to get involved and act.
Glenn Koocher, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, said George has taken the lead in advocating for issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion on a statewide level. Specifically, she has organized a special initiative to train School Committee members on DEI so they can pass on their knowledge at the local level.
Koocher said her involvement in civil rights gives her a unique perspective. He’s grateful she’s sharing her experiences and expertise.
“There are so many people in the civil rights movement who we never heard of that risked their person safety to affect social change," Koocher said. “She’s persistent without being obnoxious and she has been the conscience of the DEI movement among school board members to bring this issue to the forefront and keep it in there.’’