PHOTOS: Henrico's Spanberger inaugurated as first female governor in Virginia history
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Glen Allen resident Abigail Spanberger, 46, was inaugurated as the 75th governor of Virginia Jan. 17, becoming the first woman ever to hold the position. Spanberger, a Democrat who moved with her family to Henrico County at the age of 13 and later graduated from J.R. Tucker High School, easily won the gubernatorial election in November, claiming more than 57% of the vote to outdistance Republican Winsome Earle Sears (42%).
Also inaugurated during Saturday's ceremony were Democratic lieutenant governor Ghazala Hashmi, who became the first Muslim woman to hold a statewide office in the nation, and Democratic attorney general Jay Jones.
"It is the honor of my life to stand before you and take the oath today," Spanberger said in her inaugural address. "The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me — I maintain an abiding sense of gratitude to those who worked generation after generation to ensure women could be among those casting ballots, but who could only dream of a day like today."
Spanberger also acknowledged the political tension in the nation and state and recalled the final public address of Virginia's first governor, Patrick Henry, who in 1799 issued a warning to Virginians.
"His appeal remains timeless," Spanberger said. "He said: 'United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.'
"I’ll say that again. 'Let us not split into factions…' which would 'destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.'"
She said that although many may disagree with her policy views, "that does not preclude us working together where we may find common cause."
