Governance

Mrs. Atkins is a mom with a victorious spirit, dedicated to making a difference through public service. She has focused her efforts on key areas that shape and uplift communities. Her top priorities include:

• Education:  Fighting for access to quality education for all.
• Human Dignity:  Advocating for the respect and rights of individuals.
• Well-Being:  Promoting health and happiness in the community.
• Environmental Sustainability:  Protecting our planet for future generations.
• Leadership Accountability:  Holding leaders to the highest standards of integrity and responsibility.

Mrs. Atkins continues to inspire and lead by example, driving positive change and making a lasting impact in the lives of many. Join her on the Better for All journey towards a brighter future. A few highlights of awards, achievements, and more are below.

Awards

• Community Positive Impact Award presented by Rising Towards Success, Inc. (2020)
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Distinguished Community Service Award (2021)
• D.I.A.M.O.N.D Mentor at the Academy of VA Randolph and Extraordinary Service Award (2021)
• Remarkable Woman Award presented by the Artisans for Action RVA (2022)
• Child Advocate of the Year Award presented by the Virginia Parent Teacher Association (2022)
• Community Advocate Award presented by the Henrico NAACP (2022)
• Community Support Award presented by Capcity Characters RVA (2023)
• Black History Month Celebration presented by the Henrico NAACP (2024)

Achievements

2019

• First woman and African American elected to serve Sandston, Varina, and Highland Springs (Varina District) as a School Board member. Mrs. Atkins won a competitive 4-candidate election, securing 44.6% of the total votes.

2020

• Advocated and voted for policies that promote and protect equity to include the successful removal of gender-racial bias in the HCPS dress code.

2021 

• First HCPS Henrico Virtual Academy PTSA Sponsor
• Appointed to the Henrico Christmas Mother Council
• Advocated and voted for the Henrico County 2023-28 Capital Improvement Plan to include an Environmental Education Living Building (first in the country in a K-12 grade setting) and New Highland Springs Elementary School
• Advocated and voted for policies that promote wellness to include the successful addition of wellness days added to the HCPS calendar
• Successfully championed for a HCPS full-service community hub at the Oak Avenue Complex in Highland Springs. The complex will provide access to health care, mental health services, dental services; classrooms where family members can take classes or pursue a GED; a food pantry, and more.

2022 

• Effectively lead and supported efforts to expand PTAs, PTSAs, and PTOs in the Varina District
• Opened the state-of-the-art new Highland Springs High School
• Successfully championed and launched the new Center for Environmental Studies for HCPS

2023 

• Elected to a second term on the Henrico School Board with 72.8% of the votes.
• First woman and African American elected to serve in a leadership role as Vice-Chair for the Henrico County School Board
• Advocated and voted for a Paid Parental Leave policy that offers up to eight weeks of paid parental leave to full-time and permanent part-time Henrico County Public Schools employees for the care and well-being of a newborn or newly-adopted child or foster care placement.  

2024 

• Opened the new Advanced Career Center at Highland Springs High School
• Successfully championed for the first middle school specialty center in the Varina District.  The inaugural Center for Innovation is set to open at John Rolfe Middle School in the upcoming 2024-25 school year.
• Successfully advocated, presented, and received unanimous support from each Board member for the very first Educational Equity Policy voted into HCPS policy.

Current Boards and Committees

• Artisans for Action RVA Board
• Community Food Collaborative Board
• HCPS Healthy Family Community Advisory Committee
• HCPS Instructional Materials Review Committee
• HCPS School Health Advisory Board
• Henrico NAACP ACT-SO Committee
• Maggie L. Walker Governor School Board
• Parent Teacher Association (PTA, PTSA) Member

Endorsements

• 2019: Henrico Education Association, John Montgomery-Former Henrico School Board Member representing the Varina District, Richmond Association of REALTORS
• 2023:  EducateUs, Equality Virginia, Henrico Education Association, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, Senator Lashrecse D. Aird, Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District Chair Ann-Marie Leake, NAACP Leader and Community Champion Raiford Beasley, Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor, We the People, People for the American Way