The Virginia Branch began with a small nucleus of people in Charlottesville.

Rebecca Richardson had moved to Virginia in 1966 and had received training at the Massachusetts General Hospital Language Clinic under Dr. Edwin Cole and Alice Garside.

Dr. Cole, the Director of the Language Clinic, had been an associate of Dr. Samuel Orton's at the Language Research Project of New York Neurological Institute early in the '30s. Mrs. Garside was the chief of the reading program at the Language Clinic.

She established The Reading Center, where she began to train others to work with individuals with dyslexia. She brought Alice Koontz to teach a week-long course at the University of Virginia in the Summer of 1974.

Helen Miller, our first Branch President, and her successor, Roxanne Broadbent, were among Alice's students and they, along with others who had been touched by Rebecca and Alice, discussed the possibility of starting a Virginia Branch.

Others involved included: Dr. Booker and his son, Buzz; Margaret Via; Bob Patterson; Lois Wolf; Pat Talley; Ann Tuley; Carolee Mountcastle; Nancy Jane Boulton; Cynthia Cass (Cleveland); Margy Whelan; and Kathy Bonnie, all present at the first recorded Board meeting on July 15, 1976. Mrs. Richardson was the driving force behind all these initial efforts.

Early meetings and activities of Board Members involved pursuing becoming a Branch. The Advisory Board in these early years included Mary Masland, Roger Saunders, Margaret Rawson, and Gene Watson, all of whom played very important roles in helping the organization get off to a good start.

Rebecca Richardson became a member of the Board in August 1979 and Mary Cheatham in September 1984. Mrs. Masland and Mrs. Richardson remain as members of the Advisory Board today.

The first public meeting of the Central Virginia Branch, as yet a provisional branch, was held on November 18, 1976, in Charlottesville to acquaint others with the purposes of the organization.

It proved to be successful, with 213 people from all over the state in attendance. In 1991, representatives from the Tidewater area of Virginia were added to the Board and a very successful annual conference was held in that part of the State in 1992. The Annual Conference has evolved into one which attracts nearly 500 people.

In 1979, the name of the Branch changed from the Central Virginia Branch to the Virginia Branch to reflect the inclusion of members throughout the State, with the exception of Northern Virginia, which is part of the D.C. Capital Area Branch.

For the past few years, the Branch has expanded its outreach programs by allowing the four regions of the State - Southwest, Central, Capital, and Tidewater - to develop programs to meet the unique needs of each area.

In 1996, the Branch established a toll-free number to allow people all over the State access to information on dyslexia and resources. Training activities continue to increase, with plans in place for teacher training in multisensory approaches.

From 1991-1999, the Branch has been active in affecting educational regulations and policies at the State level, including addressing issues around teacher licensure, standards of accreditation, special education regulations, participation of students with disabilities in the statewide assessment system, and other policies affecting students with dyslexia.

The Branch has brought the other State learning disability organizations together so that all could speak with a common voice on several issues.

We are particularly appreciative to those who served as Branch Presidents: Helen Miller; Roxanne Broadbent; Cindy Cleveland; Jean Lindsay; Ruth Harris; Barbara Whitwell; Jo Ann Fallow; Harley Tomey; Connie Porter; Ann Hicks; Sherrell Sherron; Rebecca H. Aldred; and MaryAnne Dukas.

However, it is with special pride that we acknowledge Harley Tomey, who has served almost continuously since 1979, as an energetic Branch President, a member of the International Board of Directors, and President of IDA.

The Virginia Branch is proud of its heritage and looks forward to continuing and expanding the services to the citizens of Virginia, making a difference in the lives of children and adults with dyslexia.

Ann Hicks, Virginia Branch President ('96-'98), adapted from "A Brief History of the Virginia Branch," written by Ruth Harris, March, 1996. Updated August 2005.

Debra Farrar has served as President the last four (4) years. Debra has led this organization into the 21st century with the use of technology. (2005-2009)

Our current president is Leslie Daise. She is in the process of getting the board pumped up for the annual conference.