Town Honors Trio For Remembering African American History

LEESBURG, VA — As part of Black History Month, the Leesburg Town Council presented a proclamation Tuesday to three people who have made contributions to preserve and remember the accomplishments and history of African Americans in the town.

Among the recipients was Tanja Thompson, leader and organizer of the Loudoun County Community discussions on the Lynching Memorial Project, sponsored by the Equal Justice Institute, at the Douglass Community Center in Leesburg in March 2019. The event brought together community leaders and residents to share their views on three lynchings that took place in Leesburg in the early 20th century and how the community might acknowledge and commemorate the victims.

An historical marker was dedicated last summer marking the place where 14-year-old Orion Anderson was lynched in Leesburg on Nov. 8, 1889. The marker is the first of three that will be put up to remember the three victims of documented lynchings in Loudoun County.

The council also honored Donna Bohanon, chair of the Black History Committee for the Friends of The Thomas Balch Library in Leesburg. Bohanon is active in several community organizations engaged in functions such as history programs, African American-centered educational history tours, celebrations, and recognitions of local African American leaders.

The third proclamation was presented to Raymond H. Delpesche, current post commander of VFW Post 1177 in Leesburg. Delpesche served in the U.S. Navy and was the first African American to hold the position of Post Commander for VFW Post 1177.