Who was Lila Meade Valentine? Once referred to as "one of the most important women in Virginia", she was the Co-founder of the Equal Suffrage League in Virginia. She was the very first president of the ESL for over a decade. She not only played a key role in the suffrage movement but also advocated for better access to education for everyone; a right that she was not available to access.

We are two fortunate women who have had the privilege to pursue an education and partake in elections. This privilege can be credited, in part, to the valiant efforts of women like Lila Meade Valentine. Today, we demand that the Hollywood Cemetery and the city of Richmond honor this trailblazer with an updated memorial she so rightly deserves. Valentine's bold initiatives and contributions to Richmond's social and cultural fabric remain highly relevant as she was instrumental in incorporating women's rights into mainstream society. Richmond's own Register of National Historic Places states the importance of memorials in preserving a city's heritage and defining its identity (Richmond Register, 2021). We firmly believe it's high time to honor Valentine's photo and legacy with a memorial that matches her impact on our society. Sign this petition to show your support in updating Lila Meade Valentine's memorial and help us show the Hollywood Cemetery and the city of Richmond that Lila's legacy is not forgotten. 

Our goals:

 - Erect a better memorial marker in her honor at her current burial site in Hollywood Cemetery, Section: I Lot: 95.

- Have Hollywood Cemetery update its list of notable figures, adding her name to ensure her contributions are remembered and honored.