ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONAL RESOLUTION
25-252
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
July 9, 2024
To recognize and honor the life and accomplishments of Terry Venita Thomas.
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas was born in Elizabeth City , North Carolina on November
8, 1953 where s he was raised by her parents Casper Garnett Thompson and Evelyn Louise
Shannon Thompson;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas graduated, with honors, from Elizabeth City’s newly
integrated Northeastern High School in 1971;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor
of Music Education where she led the effort to bring a chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Inc. to the East Carolina Campus and became both a charter member and the first president of the
Kappa Sigma chapter;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas graduated from Howard University with a Master of Music
degree; she performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D .C., Carnegie Hall in New York,
NY, and opera houses in Italy and France during her time in graduate school;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas was married to Bradley Ashton Thomas, who survives her
along with their 2 children, Bryan A. Thomas and Krysten S. Thomas;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas taught music at Northern Virginia Community College,
was a featured soprano soloist with the Chancel Choi r at Peoples Congregational United Church
of Christ in Washington DC, and a frequent performer at recitals and operatic showcases;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas graduated from the Corcoran School of the Arts and
Design at George Washington University with a Master of Art Education degree;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas taught visual arts for DC Public School Seaton Elementary
School for 19 years where she served on the DC Public School Chancellor’s Advisory Cabinet
and the DC Arts and Humanities Collaborative Board;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas earned a plethora of awards such as DC Art Educator of
the Year in 2003, the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Teaching on several occasions, and
the Mayor’s Art Award for Excellence in Arts Teaching in 2015; ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas was a resident in Ward 5 since 1990;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas was active in the Ward 5 community for many years with
the Bates Area Civic Association in ANC 5E where she helped revive the association’s annual
Flower Power event;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas was a faithful member of People’s Congregational United
Church of Christ for more than 35 years, where she served as Co- Chair of the Board of Christian
Education;
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas was a member of the Washington, D.C. Alumnae Chapter
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she served on the Scholarship Committee ; she was
determined to review Delta Sigma Theta Sorority , Inc. scholarship applications in the hospital,
even as she was passing; and
WHEREAS, Terry V. Thomas passed on Memorial Day, May 27, 2024 and leaves a
legacy that will live on in Ward 5 for generations to come.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Terry V. Thomas Posthumous Recognition Resolution of 2024”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia honors Terry V. Thomas for her years of
dedication to her community, family, and friends where she was a leader and pillar of the
community.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.