‘Miss Virginia’ – Pics
Starring ‘Orange Is The New Black’ actress Uzo Aduba, ‘Miss Virginia’ is inspired by Virginia Walden Ford’s grassroots campaign to get better education for low-income and underprivileged kids. In the 1990s, the Washington D.C.-based mom started the D.C. Parents for School Choice group. Her fight ultimately resulted in President George W. Bush signing the D.C. School Choice Incentive Act into law in 2003.
In the film – as in real life – Miss Virginia is spurred on to campaign for change by concern that her teenage son was being let down by the public school system. In the movie, ‘This Is Us’ star Niles Fitch plays Aduba’s on-screen son, James. Matthew Modine plays Congressman Clifford Williams, a politician who joins forces with Miss Virginia to get her proposal over the finish line. The movie also features Vanessa Williams as talk show host Sally Ray and ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ star Amirah Vann as fellow concerned parent, Shondae Smith.
Matthew Modine & Uzo Aduba In ‘Miss Virginia’
In ‘Miss Virginia,’ Uzo Aduba and Matthew Modine’s characters form an unlikely partnership. Uzo plays Virginia Walden Ford and Matthew portrays Congressman Clifford Williams who is a composite of politicians who helped the real life concerned mom.
Matthew Modine As Congressman Clifford Williams
Matthew Modine’s character sported wild, grey hair in ‘Miss Virginia.’ Before he is approached by Virginia, Congressman Williams has given up hope that change can be effected in Washington D.C.’s education system.
Uzo Aduba & Niles Fitch
Niles Fitch – who stars in NBC’s hit series ‘This Is Us’ – plays Miss Virginia’s teenage son, James, who is getting lost in the public school system. He also faces gang violence and threats.
Matthew Modine Shares The Screen With Uzo Aduba
Matthew Modine and Uzo Aduba’s onscreen partnership reflects the real life battle that Virginia Walden Ford faced in her bid to improve education in her community. The result was the 2003 D.C. School Choice Incentive Act.
Niles Fitch In ‘Miss Virginia’
In ‘Miss Virginia,’ her son’s challenges spur on Walden Ford’s grassroots campaign to give D.C.-area children access to better education. It lead to a voucher program to help underprivileged kids get scholarships to private schools.
Uzo Aduba As Virginia Walden Ford
In the movie, as in real life, Virginia Walden Ford had to find her voice. Uzo portrays the mom’s determination to effect change, despite hating public speaking and at great personal risk to herself.
