2026 SPECIAL SESSION I

ENROLLED

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2175

Celebrating the life of Romayne Elizabeth Marschak.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, June 22, 2026

WHEREAS, Romayne Elizabeth Marschak, a renowned advocate for social justice, equality, and LGBTQIA+ rights, noted historian, and beloved member of the Richmond community, died on June 3, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Romayne Elizabeth “Beth” Marschak's political and social activism began at Westhampton College at the University of Richmond, where she founded a group called Organization for Women's Liberation; and

WHEREAS, Beth Marschak's involvement in the women's movement inspired her support of other causes; she helped plan and organize the first Earth Day in Richmond in 1971 and was involved in antiwar protests and civil rights demonstrations, including with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; and

WHEREAS, Beth Marschak was active with the National Women's Political Caucus and Virginia Women's Political Caucus for many years, which led her to cofound the organization Richmond Lesbian Feminists in 1975; and

WHEREAS, Beth Marschak coauthored the book Lesbian and Gay Richmond detailing the history of the LGBTQIA+ community in Richmond and also developed informational tours for the Valentine Museum in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, Beth Marschak provided visionary leadership while sitting on the boards of a number of community organizations, including Diversity Richmond, the YWCA, and the Elegba Folklore Society, and she was frequently invited to share her experiences and expertise through speaking engagements and media interviews; and

WHEREAS, for the past two decades, Beth Marschak worked with the Virginia Department of Health and its Division of Disease Prevention to oversee statewide grants and programs aimed at reducing the incidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; and

WHEREAS, in honor of her activism and service, Beth Marschak received the Human Rights Award from the Richmond Human Rights Coalition in 1983, the Outstanding Woman of the Year Award in Human Relations from the Richmond YWCA in 1990, and recognition from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture; and

WHEREAS, Beth Marschak was a generous and devoted mentor to many fellow activists over the years, becoming an integral and cherished member of various advocacy groups in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, Beth Marschak will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her sisters, Cheryl and Darlene, and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Romayne Elizabeth Marschak, a champion of the LGBTQIA+ community in Richmond whose legacy of advocacy and service will forever inspire all who knew her; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Romayne Elizabeth Marschak as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for her memory.