A 400-year first: Filler-Corn breaks many barriers as new Democratic leader in Virginia's House

RICHMOND — From her old office, Del. Eileen Filler-Corn could lean against the window and look hard left along the General Assembly building for a glimpse of Virginia’s white-columned State Capitol.

But Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax County) is on the move, and her new digs look straight out at Mr. Jefferson’s temple on the hill. It’s a historic step for Filler-Corn, taking over the office suite of the minority leader of the Virginia House of Delegates — the first time in 400 years that a woman has held such a position.

“I’ll tell you, there has been an outpouring of excitement and energy around that,” Filler-Corn said in an interview. “Everyone is just kind of surprised to think that it’s taken so long.”

She also will become the first delegate from Northern Virginia to ascend to a top House leadership post in about 40 years, as well as the first Jew.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/a-400-year-first-filler-corn-breaks-many-barriers-as-new-democratic-leader-in-virginias-house/2018/12/27/b9322b14-0472-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html?utm_term=.d5a0dcbd1d28