In honor of Women's History Month, we are spotlighting women who are making history in our community!

Sen. Janet Howell

Senator Janet Howell, often described as "the most powerful woman in Virginia government," recently announced she will be retiring from the upper house of the General Assembly after 32 years in office.

Representing the 32nd District, which includes parts of Arlington and Fairfax, Janet Howell has been a Virginia State Senator since 1992. She is second in seniority and the longest serving female Virginia Senator. She is also the first woman to chair the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, and serves on the Courts of Justice, Education and Health, Privileges and Elections, and Rules Committees, and is a Senate budget conferee. 

Education, children, and families have always been the Senator's top priorities. Senator Howell is credited with major legal reforms, including an overhaul of Virginia's laws relating to domestic and sexual violence. Senator Howell also introduced budget amendments to add services such as housing and counseling programs to serve victims and their children (see page 50 here). 

Senator Howell once said, "the real reward is knowing there are fewer victims of violence as a result of my efforts."

Doorways thanks Senator Howell for her decades of service to our community, in particular her dedicated efforts on behalf of children and families impacted by violence. We are incredibly grateful for the Senator's leadership and passionate advocacy, which will be sorely missed. We thank you, Senator Howell, and send our best wishes for your well-earned retirement!

Read the timeline in our latest report to look back and forward, from where we came from, to where we're headed.

Deliver or send critical supplies for our clients

Swing by our office on Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to drop off your donations, or ship a gift directly to Doorways via our Amazon Wish List.

Currently, we have several families transitioning out of shelter, but very few linens and bedsheets to provide them. Please help our clients get a great night's sleep in their new home! Thank you!

For the entire month of March, Doorways will receive $1 from every $2.50 Community Bag sold at the Giant store located at 3115 Lee Highway!