I was 23 when I met Cynthia in the Spring of 1970. She had been appointed by Governor Holton as Virginia's Secretary of the Commonwealth. I became her deputy. She relied on me and counseled me as I developed into a manager. The bond lasted 43 years. At the time, State Government still had vestiges of the Byrd Machine, but the Governor, Cynthia, and others set about to foster the modern two party system. During her tenure she was best known as the "go to person" on patronage. However, she was not about passing out favors, but rather held to a resolve to only recommend the best qualified individuals to the Governor for appointment to more than 2,000 positions on governing boards and advisory commissions. By 1974, a precedent setting number of African-Americans and women had been appointed along with improved geographic representation, especially from Northern Virginia. Lesser known were her responsibilities to review pardon applications the Governor received from prison inmates and petitions from former felons seeking the restoration of their voting rights. Correspondence from prisoners prompted her and others in the Administration to investigate conditions in Virginia's aging penal facilities. Much has been written about her penchant for being fun, current with the times, and one to enjoy the better things in life through travel. Many of us referred to her as a real life Auntie Mame and, indeed, she was much like the character in the 1958 film who admonished her secretary to "Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death." She was also about civil discourse symbolized by two hour dinners at that long dining table at Bryce. She welcomed Republicans and Democrats, young and old, Ivy Leaguers and public university alumns, lobbyists and crusaders along with Washingtonians and those from outside the Beltway. The art of conversation prevailed and each guest was expected to participate. But, most importantly, she was about civic engagement. It is incumbent on us to continue her spirit of commitment by serving on boards, making financial contributions to worthy organizations, volunteering as election day officials, not looking for ways to avoid jury duty, and running for political office. By those acts we honor her legacy. David B. Bradley