I think most of us here at DK know who Dr. William Ferguson Reid is, after all the group, DK Fans of 90for90, is one of the largest groups here on Daily Kos.
Most of us here probably know how 90for90 started. When asked what he wanted for his 90th birthday, Dr. Reid said he wanted to register 90 voters in every precinct in VA. Every year. They registered way more that year and have ever since.
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The 1968 Va. HoD had 100 members elected in November 1967. It included 95 White males, 4 White females, and 1 Black male, who was the first Black person to serve in the Va. HoD in the 20th century. This is the genesis of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.
history.house.virginia.gov/sessions/219
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— 90for90.bsky.social (@90for90.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Dr. Reid was registering voters when there were poll taxes and literacy tests.
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Here are 2 ⬇️ historic notices from 1959 urging Richmonders to ‘get involved’ supporting public school education & voter registration. Our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, & earlier generations of ancestors had to address difficult issues. We can too.
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— 90for90.bsky.social (@90for90.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 3:32 PM
What you might not know is that Dr. Reid celebrated his 100th birthday this month!! He is still going strong and so is 90for90.
You also might not know that Virginia passed a bill, a Joint Senate Resolution, “Commending the Honorable William Ferguson Reid, M.D.”
The bill is full of a lot of “Whereas’s” and a ton of amazing info, such as:
~Ferguson “Fergie” Reid grew up in the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond and earned a medical degree from Howard University, then completed his medical internship and residency at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri; and
~Fergie Reid subsequently enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War, then served at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland; and
~Fergie Reid returned to Richmond and opened a private surgical practice that served the community for more than 20 years; he also provided his leadership and expertise to several local hospitals during the 1950s and 1960s, and
~Fergie Reid led the fight to desegregate medicine in Richmond, opening doors for Black physicians to obtain membership in local, state, and national medical education associations and societies; and
~Fergie Reid cofounded the Richmond Crusade for Voters in 1956 and began volunteering his leadership and expertise to civic organizations at the local and state levels; and
~ Fergie Reid ran for and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1967, making history as the first Black member of the General Assembly since the Reconstruction Era; and
~Dr. Fergie Reid instrumental in desegregating the page program to provide opportunities for minorities and females to serve as pages in the General Assembly; and
Do yourself a favor and go read the whole bill here. Please join me in wishing Dr. Reid a belated
Happy Birthday!