Photos, Video: Portrait Unveiled of Eileen Filler-Corn, “the first woman to hold the Speakership in the 400-year history of the House of Delegates”

Official Portrait of Former Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn unveiled in Virginia House of Delegates Chamber

Event marks the first time a portrait of a woman will be displayed in the legislature’s 404-year history

“This portrait represents thousands of women and others who were told they didn’t look the part or have the right background, faith, skin color, gender identity or sexual orientation to be where they deserve to be. Today in the Virginia House of Delegates, we say you belong. My portrait might be the first, but I know there will be many more to follow,” said Eileen Filler-Corn.

In January 2020, Filler-Corn became the first woman and the first person of Jewish faith to be sworn in as Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, which traces its origins back to the House of Burgesses in 1619. During her tenure, the House made record investments in public education and transportation, made communities safer from gun violence, supported working families, expanded reproductive freedom, rooted out discrimination, secured voting rights, protected the environment, kept Virginia the top state for business in the nation, and more.

“I have not known a Speaker in my 40 years in Virginia who has had an impact on the quality of life in the Commonwealth that you have had,” said United States Senator Tim Kaine in recorded remarks.

“In so many areas you moved Virginia to a national leader. I thank you for your service, and I know you are not finished with public service in Virginia,” added United States Senator Mark R. Warner

Earlier this month, Delegate Filler-Corn announced she would begin a new chapter in her career and not seek re-election to the House of Delegates this year.

Additional speakers included:

• Anne Holton, Former First Lady, Secretary of Education, and Interim President of George Mason University
• Pamela Northam, Former First Lady and Chair of the Northam Administration’s Children’s Cabinet
• Delegates Delores McQuinn and Jeion Ward who were among the first Black women appointed as committee chairs in the history of the House of Delegates.
• Suzette Denslow, who served as the first female Clerk of the House of Delegates.
• As well as citizens impacted by legislation passed during Filler-Corn’s tenure including 2021 Virginia Teacher of the Year Anthony Swann, child welfare advocate Allison Gilbreath, and gun violence survivor Lisette Johnson.

Internationally acclaimed realist artist Kathy Morris was selected to complete the official portrait that will hang in the House of Delegates chamber for decades to come. Morris’s award-winning portraits have been featured in International Artist Magazine, Western Art and Architecture,The Best of Drawing Magazine, Artists Magazine and more. By age three, a series of high fevers had destroyed most of Morris’s hearing. She describes her hearing loss as a blessing in disguise that has gifted her with increased visual perception, sensitivity and insights.

As per tradition, the portrait will be displayed to the left of the dais. The chamber currently displays the two most recent Speakers’ portraits behind the dais with additional portraits hung along the west wall and outside the entrance to the chamber dating back to Speaker Edmund Pendleton (1721-1803).

See images below. Additional full resolution photos from the ceremony are available here.

Delegate Filler-Corn with her daughter, Alana Corn, who unveiled the portrait on Wednesday

Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn with Delegate Delores McQuinn, former Delegate Roslyn Tyler, and Delegate Jeion Ward (from left) who became the first Black women ever appointed as committee chairs in 2020.

The portrait was displayed on an easel for Wednesday’s event. It will be placed on the wall of the House Chamber later this week per tradition.