Valentine Intern Spotlight: Sophia McCrimmon

Our PR & Marketing Intern Sophia discusses her love of Richmond history and shares her expectations as a new member of the Valentine team.

My name is Sophia McCrimmon and I am a rising sophomore at the University of Virginia working as a public relations and marketing intern at the Valentine this summer.

I found my way to the Valentine primarily thanks to a love for Richmond’s complex and robust history. As a lifelong Richmonder and history enthusiast, I grew up exploring many of the meaningful spaces in and around this city – from Hollywood Cemetery to Cold Harbor Battlefield. Thinking about the stories hidden amidst familiar streets made me interested in the politics of space and ideologies of memory.

As a history major and historical tour guide at UVa, I’ve had the opportunity to explore these topics inside and outside of the classroom. I have learned that history is human – both profound and profane, painful and personal. I have also learned that history is powerful – it can restore agency and dignity to forgotten stories, change perspectives through uncomfortable conversations and forge empathy across and within communities. That’s why I think history should be a living field, based on discovery and conversation.

When I first visited the Valentine, the museum’s mission struck a chord with me. I felt inspired by the Valentine’s focus on intersectionality and relevance in its exhibitions and I loved the museum’s role as a forum for community education and discussion. I am so excited to help realize that mission through my work in public relations this summer. In this position, I hope to help make our history more accessible by reaching out to new audiences, publicizing provocative exhibitions, and sparking conversations on social media. I’m also eager to explore the museum’s robust archives, investigating compelling new stories that add to the complex history of this city. My enthusiasm for the Valentine’s exciting upcoming exhibitions makes me thrilled to help reach out to the Richmond community and cultivate interest in this unique institution.

Sophia McCrimmon is an intern at the Valentine in Richmond. 

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Valentine Intern Spotlight: Sabrina Connor

Our PR & Marketing Intern Sabrina introduces herself and shares her experiences and expectations as one of the newest members of the Valentine team.

My name is Sabrina Connor (not to be confused for Sabrina the Teenage Witch) and I am from the rainbow island of Anguilla in the Caribbean. I am a rising senior at Virginia Union University studying Mass Communications with a focus in Public Relations. I was recently inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honors Society and I am a member of the university’s Honors Program. Additionally, I serve as the captain of the Lady Panther’s tennis team, the business manager of the Student Government Association and a French and English tutor. A few of my many passions include travelling, exploring different cultures, discovering new music and art and getting lost in captivating books.

My summer goal was to find an internship that not only allowed me to develop and enhance my communication skills, but tied into my interests as well.  Sure enough, I walked into my school’s spring career fair with this goal in mind, and the bright, red Valentine sign immediately caught my attention. After learning about the details of the internship program and the museum’s history and purpose, I quickly applied, and was later accepted for the Kip Kephart Foundation’s Bobby Chandler Internship in the PR and Marketing Department. I was extremely pleased about this opportunity because I knew working at the Valentine would provide the perfect space to get hands on experience in my area of study and educate me about the history and charm of Richmond, my new home.

I am now in the second week of my internship and I have done a range of media related tasks such as press releases, photography, social media management and strategic messaging. Throughout the remainder of this internship I will absorb as much as I can so I can apply everything I’ve learned towards my future career goals. I thoroughly enjoy the welcoming, friendly and educational work environment that the Valentine offers and look forward to expanding my knowledge through this summer internship!

Sabrina Connor is an intern at the Valentine in Richmond. 

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