Yvonne Spain
Photo Credit: Joseph Jenkins, Jr. Funeral Home
About Richmond's Honorary Street Name Designations
Honorary street names can be found throughout Richmond, and are intended to memorialize individuals for their civic, cultural, humanitarian, or historically significant contributions to the Richmond Community. These designations typically apply to a portion of a street, such as a city block, and are designated by Richmond City Council via the passing of an Ordinance. Honorary street names do not replace the existing name of a street and do not require an alteration to maps or addresses.
Yvonne Spain
Yvonne Spain worked tirelessly as an advocate for community service to improve the quality of life for citizens of the city of Richmond and especially for residents of Southside communities, in the areas of education and professional development, neighborhood improvements, and low-income housing.
After graduating from Richmond Public Schools Maggie L. Walker High School in 1959 with high academic achievement, Ms. Spain attended Virginia State College. After becoming a dental assistant, she served as President and Honorary Member of the Virginia Dental Assistants Association and the Old Dominion Dental Assistants Society. She also taught writing skills at Open High School.
Yvonne Spain is credited for writing grant requests to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to secure street curbs for the 100 block of Larne Avenue. She also advocated for affordable housing for veterans as well as the building of single family homes in Richmond’s Blackwell area.
In recognition of her service to the Richmond community, Yvonne Spain received many awards and accolades, including the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Excellence in 1988 and the YMCA Richmond’s Outstanding Women of the Year Award. She was also nominated for the 1989 Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
Yvonne Spain volunteered to serve on several Richmond City Council Boards and Commissions over the years, including the Shade Tree Commission, Regional Crime Task Force, and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. She also served on the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities Advisory Board, Richmond Better Housing Coalition, and Richmond Better Housing Coalition.
Yvonne Spain passed away on May 28, 2018, at the age of 77.
Designation Area:
The 100 block of Larne Avenue has been given the honorary designation of Yvonne Spain Street.
Download the Council Ordinance:
Learn more about this Honorary Street Designation by downloading a copy of the legislation. The Council Ordinance below is in PDF format:
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