VA HR433

Sheila Coates founded Black Women United for Action (BWUFA) in 1985 to address the underrepresentation of Black women in management roles in education and government through grassroots advocacy for women's issues and family preservation.

BWUFA has expanded from a small Fairfax County nonprofit to serve the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Northeastern United States, and Canada, supporting at-risk communities and promoting Black history awareness.

Notable achievements include securing federal grant funding for IT job readiness training for at-risk mothers, establishing the Annual Slave Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Mt. Vernon, and creating the Nikki Giovanni Youth Writer Awards.

The Virginia House of Delegates formally commends Sheila Coates for more than 40 years of service improving the lives of women, supporting vulnerable families, and empowering disenfranchised community members.