Prominent Virginian and renowned business leader will advance VA250’s goal to convene and facilitate a Commonwealth-wide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
WILLIAMSBURG, VA (May 8, 2023) – The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) announced today it has named Carly Fiorina as Virginia’s National Honorary Chairperson of the commission’s board. As a prominent and engaged Virginian, Fiorina will leverage her dedication to the Commonwealth, her business expertise and her ability to help organizations reach their highest potential to accelerate VA250’s goal to convene and facilitate a Commonwealth-wide commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of our nation’s founding. Fiorina also serves as Chairperson of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Board of Trustees (CWF), a natural and important complement to the role she will play with VA250.
VA250 has already begun to place Virginia in a national leadership role to inspire and convene entities from across the country and initiate plans for America’s 250th anniversary. On March 10-12, 2023, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and VA250 partnered as “A Common Cause to All” to host the nation’s first event to launch multistate planning efforts for commemorating America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
The meeting fittingly took place on Colonial Williamsburg’s historic campus during the 250th anniversary of the March 11, 1773, meeting in which Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, and Dabney Carr gathered in Williamsburg’s Raleigh Tavern to draft a resolution in support of the colonies convening a Committee of Conference, and the March 12, 1773, approval of the resolution by the House of Burgesses. A Common Cause to All brought together nearly 350 representatives from 34 U.S. states and 50 Virginia localities to exchange ideas and begin collaborating on 250th anniversary events across the country.
For nearly a century, CWF has played a central part in helping Americans understand the complex story of our nation’s history. As the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation plans its commemoration of the country’s 250th anniversary, Carly Fiorina helms the Board of Trustees and works to ensure that CWF is a strong and vital national presence in telling the country’s complete story and inspiring all those who embrace freedom.
“The VA250 Commission is honored to have Carly Fiorina, Virginia’s National Honorary Chairperson, advance our leadership role in convening entities across the country with a spirit of optimism as we look toward 2026 and beyond,” said Virginia Del. Terry L. Austin, chair of the VA250 Commission. “With her great passion and dedication to the state, along with her work through The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Carly’s oversight will affirm our commitment to a national commemoration that is multi-faceted, invites participation, and celebrates the American story, much of which began here in Virginia.”
“I am privileged to advise the VA250 Commission and further advance its leadership role in our efforts to convene plans to commemorate this country’s historic 250th anniversary,” said Carly Fiorina. “Virginia has always been a crucible for great ideas, great debates, and great conflicts. It has played a critical role in the founding of our great nation and, therefore, is uniquely suited to play a pivotal role in helping all Americans understand the complexities and contradictions of our past and how they inform our future as we plan the commemoration of our country’s 250th anniversary.”
“Carly Fiorina will provide the leadership for the Commemoration to respectfully convene all cultures involved and impacted by the Revolution and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, including African Americans and the Indigenous Tribes,” said Senator Mamie Locke, Vice Chair of the VA250 Commemoration. “I look forward to working with her to further Virginia’s, and the nation’s, progress toward ‘a more perfect union’ through the planned educational events in the coming months and years.”
The VA250 is developing numerous plans for events and activities to help support the 134 cities and counties in Virginia commemorate America’s 250th Anniversary, including mobile museums, a signature exhibition of history and artifacts, and educational opportunities in support of Virginia schools and educational institutions. As it leads the Commonwealth’s planning, it will simultaneously advance the nation’s efforts to commemorate and embrace America’s inclusive history that marked the origins of a revolutionary new nation.
“The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission plays a critical leadership role in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and we are fortunate to have Carly’s leadership as our country begins to plan for a monumental moment,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Moreover, because Virginia’s history is America’s story, the VA250 will undoubtedly inspire and guide others across the country.”
“The VA250 Commission will convene a Commonwealth-wide commemoration recognizing the unique histories, sites, stories, and communities that define Virginia and America,” said Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA). “I am grateful that someone of Carly Fiorina’s experience and stature has volunteered to play such a pivotal role in planning and celebrating this milestone.”
“In order to shape our future, we need to understand our past,” said Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). “VA250 will play a critical role in educating Americans about our nation’s founding. I’m proud that Virginia is leading the way.”
About VA250
The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250), established by the Virginia General Assembly, serves to commemorate the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia, where much of America’s story begins. The nation will mark its semiquincentennial – in 2026. However, programs in Virginia begin now and will last through 2031. The primary goal of the Commission is to convene and facilitate a Commonwealth-wide commemoration and celebration, multi-faceted and inclusive of hundreds of partners and representatives of the wide array of histories, sites, stories, and communities that define Virginia.