“This afternoon, The Seven Society is honored to celebrate a student organization that has dedicated itself to enriching the University community, Cville Tulips. Growing from an immediate need in our community, Cville Tulips has been a bastion of resilience, community, and hope for Afghan, Syrian, and other refugee women and their families since 2022. It is The Seven Society's great privilege to celebrate Cville Tulips as the recipient of this year's James Earle Sargeant Award.

A product of the Sound Justice Lab at the University and supported by Madison House volunteers, Cville Tulips hosts gatherings for Afghan women that provide critical English language and health education, care and programming for their children, and community-building opportunities. These gatherings are the organization's bread and butter and reflect precisely what our University community needs more of. Cville Tulips is a home and source of joy for important members of our town and a thoughtful way for students, faculty, and staff to strengthen our University's relationship with the broader Charlottesville community. More than just thoughtful lesson plans and curricula, Cville Tulips emphasizes what it means to create meaningful relations - centering love, friendship, and kindness in each of their community gatherings. Cville Tulips and its volunteers have created a space that welcomes and offers a helping hand to immigrants at a time when we, as a University and a country, need it most.

As The Seven Society reflects upon the diverse ways Cville Tulips has contributed to the enrichment of our community, we find ourselves inspired by the dedication, care, and thoughtful ways in which Cville Tulips has stepped up to support some of the most marginalized members of our community. Through the impactful work that they do, Cville Tulips and its volunteers continue to teach us all what it means to love one's neighbor, benevolently harness the power of education, and support one's community. Cville Tulips serves as a beacon of hope at our University striving to embody the values of what it means to be a citizen- scholar and using one's knowledge and education for the betterment of others. The Seven Society holds in high esteem the impact they have made and eagerly awaits the ways Cville Tulips will continue to grow here on Grounds and beyond.”