Posted on November 14, 2017 at 8:18 AM by Communications Department
Councilwoman Dr. Patricia Woodbury has been installed as President of the Virginia Municipal League (VML). Dr. Woodbury has served on the 13-member VML Executive Committee since 2011 and will serve a one-year term as President. The Executive Committee sets policy for the statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan association that was established in 1905 to improve and assist local governments through legislative advocacy, research, education and other services. VML’s membership includes all 38 cities in the state, 160 towns and eight counties. 
"I am incredibly honored, grateful, and excited about the opportunity to serve the residents of the cities and towns of Virginia,” said Dr. Woodbury. “VML is a wonderful organization, and I look forward to continuing my service on the board as President."
Dr. Woodbury is the sixth Newport News elected official to be named VML President. Newport News City Attorney Samuel R. Buxton served as the League’s first president and Councilwoman Jessie M. Rattley was the most recent Newport News member of Council to be VML president. Ms. Rattley was the first African American elected to the Newport News City Council and became the first female mayor of the city in 1986.
“Ms. Rattley paved the way for others to lead. That is a job that did not end with her. It continues with all of us,” said Dr. Woodbury. “I feel our role as elected and appointed officials is to help our communities and the people we serve to improve, making our society a better place now and in the future.”
Dr. Woodbury has selected “Life-Long Learning” as her platform during her year as VML president. For more about the Virginia Municipal League visit www.vml.org.
