RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power and the Library of Virginia celebrated the leadership and accomplishments of eight outstanding African Americans during the second annual "Strong Men & Women in Virginia History" awards program held Wednesday at the Richmond Marriott.

The program honors prominent African Americans, past and present, who have made significant contributions to the Commonwealth.

"It is only fitting that we honor and showcase the achievements of these exceptional men and women during Black History month," said Robert M. Blue, president of Dominion Virginia Power. "These honorees have demonstrated a drive to excel and achieve great things during their lifetimes – and we are all the better for it."

"Each year, I am awestruck and humbled by the stories of the men and women who are honored through the Strong Men & Women in Virginia History program," said Librarian of Virginia Sandra G. Treadway. "Their lives and accomplishments have made a difference in our world and are an inspiration to us all."

The following honorees were recognized:

• James Heyward Blackwell* – educator, Richmond
• The Honorable William D. "Bill" Euille – first African-American mayor of Alexandria
• Mary Alice Hatwood Futrell, Ed.D. – educator and organization leader, Lynchburg
• Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly* – seamstress and author, Dinwiddie
• Olivia Ferguson McQueen – civil rights pioneer, Charlottesville
• John Mitchell, Jr.* – newspaper editor, Richmond
• The Honorable James R. Spencer – first African-American federal judge of Virginia, Richmond
• Marcellus "Boo" Williams, Jr. – youth sports mentor, Hampton

*Posthumous honor.

Four high school students who wrote winning essays about overcoming obstacles in their communities also participated in the ceremony.

The winners of the 2014 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History student essay writing contest are:

• Garrett Jones – Greenbrier Christian Academy, Chesapeake
• Jocelyn Lee – Franklin Military Academy, Richmond
• Tyler Phillips – Turner Ashby High School, Rockingham County
• Lexi Maycock – West Springfield High School, Fairfax County

Each student will receive a laptop computer and $1,000 for their school. The winning essays and program details, as well as photos and videos of the event will be posted on www.lva.virginia.gov/smw.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 23,600 megawatts of generation, 10,900 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,400 miles of electric transmission lines.  Dominion operates one of the nation's largest natural gas storage systems with 947 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in 15 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com.

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power