Reverend Doctor Linda Olson Peebles

WHEREAS, Reverend Doctor Linda Olson Peebles is completing her tenure as Minister of Faith in Action at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (UUCA) after 16 years; and

WHEREAS, during her ministry Reverend Peebles has been an outstanding community leader as well as national leader of her denomination; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Peebles was a founder of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), which Governor Terry McAuliffe honored with the 2016 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Action Award as “an outstanding example of collaboration and unity,” noting its mobilization of 50 faith communities in common purpose for civic action; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Peebles has been a dedicated advocate of equal rights for the LGBTQ community performing the first official same-sex wedding in Arlington County within minutes of the announcement of its legality in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Peebles has promoted democracy and human rights by organizing get-out-the-vote campaigns that significantly increased voter turnout, leading actions to ensure “Black Lives Matter,” protecting the rights of immigrants including Dreamers and members of the Buckingham Community, fostering fairer treatment for released legal offenders and insisting on environmental justice; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Peebles’ leadership has had an effect far beyond our community through her tenure as president of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association and her service on the national Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association earning her the highest respect in our county, commonwealth and beyond;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Fisette, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, with great appreciation and respect, commend

REVEREND DOCTOR LINDA OLSON PEEBLES

for her dedication to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington’s values of commitment, compassion, trust, diversity and gratitude that has distinguished her service and made an outstanding difference in bettering our community.

Jay Fisette, Chair