PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A street next to Rivers Casino Portsmouth has been renamed in honor of Virginia State Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth).
A ceremony was held over the weekend for the occasion, featuring Lucas, Rep. Bobby Scott, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Portsmouth Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke and other officials. There were also performances from several marching bands, including from Manor, I.C. Norcom and Churchland high schools.
The effort to rename the former TCC Drive to L. Louise Lucas Drive was headed by Barry Jenkins-Randall and Church and Community in Action (CCIA), a local nonprofit.
Lucas, 80, has been a major figure in Virginia and Portsmouth politics for decades. In 1984, she became the first Black woman to serve on Portsmouth City Council, and was first elected to the Virginia General Assembly back in 1991. She recently made history by becoming the first Black woman to serve as president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate , as well as chair the Senate Finance and Appropriation Committee.