Virginia Women in History was an annual program sponsored by the

Library of Virginia The Library of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia, is the library agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It serves as the archival agency and the reference library for Virginia's seat of government. The Library moved into a new building in 1997 and ...

that honored Virginia women, living and dead, for their contributions to their community, region, state, and nation. The program began in 2000 under the aegis of the

Virginia Foundation for Women Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International; from 2006 to 2020 it was administered by the Library of Virginia. In 2021, it was replaced by the Strong Men and Women in Virginia History program.

2000 honorees

Ella Graham Agnew Ella Graham Agnew (March 18, 1871 – February 5, 1958) was a Virginia educator and social worker. She was the first woman named a field demonstration agent by the United States Department of Agriculture, and later occupied high-level positions s ...

(1871–1958), Blacksburg, educator and social worker *

Mary Julia Baldwin Mary Julia Baldwin (4 October 1829 – 1 July 1897) was a Virginia educator in Staunton, Virginia. For thirty four years she ran Mary Baldwin College, which was named in her honor in 1895 and later became Mary Baldwin University. Early and family ...

(1829–1897), Staunton, educator *

Margaret Brent Margaret Brent (c. 1601 – c. 1671), was an English immigrant to the Colony of Maryland, settled in its new capitol, St. Mary's City, Maryland. She was the first woman in the English North American colonies to appear before a court of the ...

(c. 1601 – c. 1671), Stafford County, planter *

Willa Cather Willa Sibert Cather (; born Wilella Sibert Cather; December 7, 1873 – April 24, 1947) was an American writer known for her novels of life on the Great Plains, including ''O Pioneers!'', '' The Song of the Lark'', and ''My Ántonia''. In 1923, ...

(1873–1947), Frederick County, writer *

Jennie Dean Jane Serepta Dean (April 15, 1848 – May 3, 1913) (nicknamed "Jennie" or "Miss Jennie") was born into slavery in northern Virginia, freed as a result of the American Civil War, and became an important founder of churches and Sunday Schools for A ...

(1848–1913), Manassas, educator *

Sarah Lee Fain Sarah Lee Odend'hal Fain (November 23, 1888 – July 20, 1962) was a Virginia schoolteacher and Democratic politician who became one of the earliest female members of the Virginia General Assembly and later assisted with New Deal reforms in Wa ...

(1888–1962),

Norfolk Norfolk () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in East Anglia in England. It borders Lincolnshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the west and south-west, and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the No ...

, legislator *

Ellen Glasgow Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow (April 22, 1873 – November 21, 1945) was an American novelist who won the Pulitzer Prize for the Novel in 1942 for her novel ''In This Our Life''. She published 20 novels, as well as short stories, to critical ac ...

(1873–1945),

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States * Richmond, London, a part of London * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, ...

, author *

Dolley Madison Dolley Todd Madison (née Payne; May 20, 1768 – July 12, 1849) was the wife of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. She was noted for holding Washington social functions in which she invited members of bo ...

(1768–1849),

Orange County Orange County most commonly refers to: *Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area Orange County may also refer to: U.S. counties *Orange County, Florida, containing Orlando *Orange County, Indiana *Orange County, New ...

, First Lady *

Pocahontas Pocahontas (, ; born Amonute, known as Matoaka, 1596 – March 1617) was a Native American woman, belonging to the Powhatan people, notable for her association with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. She was the daughter of ...

(c. 1596–1617), Jamestown *

Clementina Rind Clementina Rind (c. 1740–September 25, 1774) was a Colonial American woman who is known as being the first female newspaper printer and publisher in Virginia. Living and working in Williamsburg, Virginia, she took the printing press establish ...

(c. 1740–1774), Williamsburg, printer * Lila Meade Valentine (1865–1921), Richmond, reformer and suffragist *

Maggie Lena Walker Maggie Lena (née Draper Mitchell) Walker (July 15, 1864 – December 15, 1934) was a businesswoman and teacher. In 1903, Walker became both the first African American woman to charter a bank and the first African American woman to serve as ...

(1864–1934), Richmond, entrepreneur and civil rights leader

2001 honorees

* Rosa Dixon Bowser (1855–1931), Richmond, educator and civic leader *

Elizabeth Pfohl Campbell Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sc ...

(1902–2004), Arlington, public television pioneer *

Thomasina Jordan Thomasina Elizabeth Jordan (Red Hawk Woman) (? – 1999) was an American Indian activist who became the first American Indian to serve in the United States Electoral College in 1988. Jordan received bachelor's and master's degrees in fine arts a ...

(1940–1999),

Alexandria Alexandria ( or ; ar, ٱلْإِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةُ ; grc-gre, Αλεξάνδρεια, Alexándria) is the second largest city in Egypt, and the largest city on the Mediterranean coast. Founded in by Alexander the Great, Alexandria ...

, American Indian advocate * Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly (1818–1907), Dinwiddie County, seamstress and author *

Theresa Pollak Theresa Pollak (August 13, 1899 – September 18, 2002) was an American artist and art educator born in Richmond, Virginia. She was a nationally known painter, and she is largely credited with the founding of Virginia Commonwealth University's ...

(1899–2002), Richmond, artist and educator *

Sally Louisa Tompkins Sally Louisa Tompkins (November 9, 1833 – July 25, 1916) was a humanitarian, nurse, philanthropist and the first woman to have been formally inducted into an army in American history. Many believe that she was also the only woman officially c ...

(1833–1916), Richmond, hospital administrator * Elizabeth Van Lew (1818–1900), Richmond, spy *

Edith Bolling Galt Wilson Edith Wilson ( Bolling, formerly Galt; October 15, 1872 – December 28, 1961) was the first lady of the United States from 1915 to 1921 and the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson. She married the widower Wilson in December 1915, during hi ...

(1872–1961),

Wytheville Wytheville is a town in, and the county seat of, Wythe County, in southwestern Virginia, United States. It is named after George Wythe, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, and mentor to Thomas Jefferson. Wytheville's populat ...

, First Lady

2002 honorees

Rebecca Adamson Rebecca Adamson (born 1950) is an American businessperson and advocate. She is former director, former president, and founder of First Nations Development Institute and the founder of First Peoples Worldwide. Personal life Born in Akron, Ohio ...

(born 1950), Fredericksburg, Native American advocate and business developer * Janie Porter Barrett (1865–1948),

Hanover County Hanover County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 109,979. Its county seat is Hanover Courthouse. Hanover County is a part of the Greater Richmond Region. History Located in the wester ...

, educator *

Patsy Cline Patsy is a given name often used as a diminutive of the feminine given name Patricia or sometimes the masculine name Patrick, or occasionally other names containing the syllable "Pat" (such as Cleopatra, Patience, Patrice, or Patricia). Among I ...

(1932–1963),

Winchester Winchester is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city in Hampshire, England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government Districts of England, district, at the western end of the South Downs Nation ...

, singer * Hannah Lee Corbin (1728–1782), Westmoreland County, planter * Christine Mann Darden (born 1942),

Hampton Hampton may refer to: Places Australia *Hampton bioregion, an IBRA biogeographic region in Western Australia *Hampton, New South Wales *Hampton, Queensland, a town in the Toowoomba Region * Hampton, Victoria Canada * Hampton, New Brunswick *Ha ...

, engineer * Lillian Ward McDaniel (1902–1981), Richmond, educator and civic leader * Mary-Cooke Branch Munford (1865–1938), Richmond, social reformer and community activist * Jessie Manfield Rattley (1929–2001),

Newport News Newport News () is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 186,247. Located in the Hampton Roads region, it is the 5th most populous city in Virginia and 140th most populous city in the Uni ...

, mayor and social activist

2003 honorees

* Nancy Langhorne Astor (1879–1964),

Albemarle County Albemarle County is a county located in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is Charlottesville, which is an independent city and enclave entirely surrounded by the county. Albemarle County is part of the Char ...

, member of

Parliament In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...

* Pearl Bailey (1918–1990), Newport News, singer and actor * Anna Whitehead Bodeker (1826–1904), Richmond, woman suffrage advocate * Mary Ann Elliott (born 1943),

Fairfax County Fairfax County, officially the County of Fairfax, is a County (United States), county in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia. It is part of Northern Virginia and borders both the city of Alexandria, Virginia, Alexandria and ...

, entrepreneur * Annabelle Ravenscroft Gibson Jenkins (1827–1901), Richmond, philanthropist *

Frances Benjamin Johnston Frances Benjamin Johnston (January 15, 1864 – May 16, 1952) was an early American photographer and photojournalist whose career lasted for almost half a century. She is most known for her portraits, images of southern architecture, and various ...

(1864–1952), Fredericksburg, photographer * Anne Dobie Peebles (1922–2012), Sussex County, civic leader * Anne B. Spencer (1882–1975), Lynchburg, poet

2004 honorees

Grace Arents Grace Evelyn Arents (1848 – June 20, 1926) was an heiress, Christian activist and philanthropist in Richmond, Virginia. She inherited $20 million from her uncle Lewis Ginter, a tobacco business magnate and philanthropist, and she used t ...

(1848–1926), Richmond, philanthropist *

Cockacoeske Cockacoeske (also spelled ''Cockacoeskie'') (ca. 1640 – ca. 1686) was a 17th-century leader of the Pamunkey tribe in what is now the U.S. state of Virginia. During her thirty-year reign, she worked with the English colony of Virginia, try ...

( fl. 1656–1686),

Middle Peninsula The Middle Peninsula is the second of three large peninsulas on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the Middle Peninsula was home to 92,886 people. It lies between the Northern Neck and ...

, Pamunkey chief *

Katie Couric Katherine Anne Couric ( ; born January 7, 1957) is an American journalist and presenter. She is founder of Katie Couric Media, a multimedia news and production company. She also publishes a daily newsletter, ''Wake Up Call''. From 2013 to 2017, ...

(born 1957), Arlington County, television journalist * Ann Makemie Holden (1702–1788), Accomack County, planter *

Mary Draper Ingles Mary Draper Ingles (1732 – February 1815), also known in records as Mary Inglis or Mary English, was an American pioneer and early settler of western Virginia. In the summer of 1755, she and her two young sons were among several captives taken ...

(1732–1815),

New River Valley The New River Valley is a region along the New River in Southwest Virginia in the United States. It is usually defined as the counties of Montgomery (including the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg), Pulaski, Floyd, and Giles and the ...

, frontierswoman * Sarah Garland Boyd Jones (1866–1905), Richmond, physician * Elizabeth "Annie" Snyder (1921–2002), Manassas, preservationist *

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (June 21, 1731 — May 22, 1802) was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, Martha Washington served as the inaugural ...

(1731–1802), Fairfax County, First Lady

2005 honorees

Clara Leach Adams-Ender Clara Leach Adams-Ender (born July 11, 1939) is a retired United States Army officer who served as Chief of the United States Army Nurse Corps from September 1987 to August 1991. She was the first woman to receive her master's degree in military ...

(born 1939),

Prince William County Prince William County is located on the Potomac River in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population sits at 482,204, making it Virginia's second-most populous county. Its county seat is the independent city of Manassas ...

, chief of the

United States Army Nurse Corps The United States Army Nurse Corps (USANC) was formally established by the U.S. Congress in 1901. It is one of the six medical special branches (or "corps") of officers which – along with medical enlisted soldiers – comprise the Army Medica ...

Caitlyn Day Caitlin () is a female given name of Irish origin. Historically, the Irish name Caitlín was anglicized as Cathleen or Kathleen. In the 1970s, however, non-Irish speakers began pronouncing the name according to English spelling rules as , which ...

(born 1986), Craig County, community activist * Bessie Blount Griffin (1914–2009), Princess Anne County, inventor and forensic scientist *

Nora Houston Eleanora (or Eleanor) Clare Gibson Houston ( ; June 24, 1883 – February 20, 1942) was an American painter, women's rights advocate, and suffragist. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Houston studied art at an early age, traveling to New Y ...

(1883–1942), Richmond, artist and social reformer *

Barbara Johns Barbara Rose Johns Powell (March 6, 1935 – September 28, 1991) was a leader in the American civil rights movement. On April 23, 1951, at the age of 16, Powell led a student strike for equal education at R.R. Moton High School in Farmville ...

(1935–1991), Prince Edward County,

Civil Rights Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and political life of ...

activist *

Mary Johnston Mary Johnston (November 21, 1870 – May 9, 1936) was an American novelist and women's rights advocate from Virginia. She was one of America's best selling authors during her writing career and had three silent films adapted from her novels. Jo ...

(1870–1936), Bath County, writer and suffragist * Lee Marshall Smith (born 1944), Roanoke, writer * Mary Belvin Wade (1951–2003), Richmond, civic leader

2006 honorees

* Katherine Harwood Waller Barrett (1865–1948),

Henrico County Henrico County , officially the County of Henrico, is located in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 334,389 making it the fifth-most populous county in Virginia. Henrico County is incl ...

, physician and educator * Sister Marie Majella Berg (1916–2004), Arlington County, president of

Marymount University Marymount University is a private Catholic university with its main campus in Arlington, Virginia. Marymount offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. It has approximately 3,897 students enrolled, representing approximately 45 states an ...

* John-Geline MacDonald Bowman (1890–1946), Richmond, business executive * Grace Brewster Murray Hopper (1906–1992), Arlington County, computer scientist and rear admiral * Mary Tyler Freeman Cheek McClenahan (1917–2005), Richmond, civic leader * Benita Fitzgerald Mosley (born 1961),

Haymarket Haymarket may refer to: Places Australia * Haymarket, New South Wales, area of Sydney, Australia Germany * Heumarkt (KVB), transport interchange in Cologne on the site of the Heumarkt (literally: hay market) Russia * Sennaya Square (''Hay Squ ...

, media executive and Olympic gold medalist * G. Anne Nelson Richardson (born 1956), King and Queen County, Rappahannock chief * Mary Virginia Hawes Terhune (1830–1922), Amelia County, writer

2007 honorees

Mary Willing Byrd Mary Willing Byrd (September 10, 1740 – March 1814) was an American planter. She was the second wife of Colonel William Byrd III, a Colonial American military officer at the time of the American Revolution and son of the founder of Richmond, ...

(1740–1814),

Charles City County Charles City County is a county located in the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. The county is situated southeast of Richmond and west of Jamestown. It is bounded on the south by the James River and on the east by the Chickahominy River. The ...

, planter * Maybelle Addington Carter (1909–1978), Scott County, singer *

Laura Lu Scherer Copenhaver Laura Lu Scherer Copenhaver (August 29, 1868 – December 18, 1940) was an American businesswoman. Copenhaver was a native of Marion, Virginia, where her father, the Reverend John Jacob Scherer, was the first president of Marion College. She was ...

(1868–1940),

Smyth County Smyth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 29,800. Its county seat is Marion. History Smyth County was formed on February 23, 1832, from Washington and Wythe counties. The county ...

, founder of Rosemont Industries and Lutheran lay leader * Mary Alice Franklin Hatwood Futrell (born 1940), Lynchburg, educator * Mary Jeffery Galt (1844–1922),

, preservationist * Sheila Crump Johnson (born 1949),

Loudoun County Loudoun County () is in the northern part of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. In 2020, the census returned a population of 420,959, making it Virginia's third-most populous county. Loudoun County's seat is Leesburg. Loudoun C ...

, founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and sports franchise owner * Opossunoquonuske ( fl. 1607–1610), Chesterfield County,

Appamattuck The Appomattoc (also spelled Appamatuck, Apamatic, and numerous other variants) were a historic tribe of Virginia Indians speaking an Algonquian language, and residing along the lower Appomattox River, in the area of what is now Petersburg, Col ...

leader *

Camilla Williams Camilla Ella Williams (October 18, 1919 – January 29, 2012) was an American operatic soprano who performed nationally and internationally. After studying with renowned teachers in New York City, she was the first African American to receive ...

(1919–2012), Danville, opera singer

2008 honorees

Frances Culpeper Berkeley Frances Stephens Berkeley Ludwell ( Culpeper; baptised 27 May 1634 – 1690s), most commonly styled Lady Frances Berkeley after her second marriage, was a leader of the Green Spring faction of Virginia politics in the seventeenth century and wife t ...

(baptized 27 May 1634–c. 1695),

James City County James City County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 78,254. Although politically separate from the county, the county seat is the adjacent independent city of Williamsburg. Located ...

, leader of the Green Spring faction * Lucy Goode Brooks (1818–1900),

, founder of the Friends' Asylum for Colored Orphans * Providencia Velazquez Gonzalez (1917–2013),

Dale City Dale City is a census-designated place (CDP) in Prince William County, Virginia, United States, located 25 miles south west of Washington, D.C. It is an annex of Woodbridge, Virginia. As of 2017, the total population was 73,384. The community is ...

, community activist * Elizabeth Bermingham Lacy (born 1945),

, judge of the Supreme Court of Virginia *

Sharyn McCrumb Sharyn McCrumb (born February 26, 1948) is an American writer whose books celebrate the history and folklore of Appalachia. McCrumb is the winner of numerous literary awards, and the author of the Elizabeth McPherson mystery series, the Ballad ...

(born 1948), Roanoke County, writer * Patricia Buckley Moss (born 1933), Waynesboro, artist and philanthropist * Isabel Wood Rogers (1924–2007),

, moderator, General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) *

Edith Turner Edith Turner (ca. 1754 – February or March 1838), sometimes known as Edy Turner or Edie Turner, or by her personal name Wané Roonseraw, was a leader – often styled "chief" or "queen" – among the Nottoway people of Virginia in the eighteenth ...

(Wané Roonseraw) (c. 1754–1838),

Southampton County Southampton County is a county located on the southern border of the Commonwealth of Virginia. North Carolina is to the south. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,996. Its county seat is Courtland. History In the early 17th centur ...

, chief of the Nottoway (Cheroenhaka)

2009 honorees

* Pauline Adams (1874–1957),

suffragist Suffrage, political franchise, or simply franchise, is the right to vote in public, political elections and referendums (although the term is sometimes used for any right to vote). In some languages, and occasionally in English, the right to v ...

* Caroline Bradby Cook (c. 1839 – after 1910),

King William County King William County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,810. Its county seat is King William. King William County is located in the Middle Peninsula and is included in the Greater R ...

, Pamunkey leader and Unionist *

Claudia Emerson Claudia Emerson (January 13, 1957 – December 4, 2014) was an American poet. She won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for her poetry collection ''Late Wife'', and was named the Poet Laureate of Virginia by Governor Tim Kaine in 2008. Early life Emerso ...

(1957–2014), Fredericksburg, poet *

Drew Gilpin Faust Catharine Drew Gilpin Faust (born September 18, 1947) is an American historian and was the 28th president of Harvard University, the first woman to serve in that role. She was Harvard's first president since 1672 without an undergraduate or gradu ...

(born 1947),

Clarke County Clarke County may refer to: ;Places *One of five counties in the United States: **Clarke County, Alabama **Clarke County, Georgia **Clarke County, Iowa **Clarke County, Mississippi **Clarke County, Virginia Clarke County is a county in the Com ...

, historian and president of

Harvard University Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...

* Joann Hess Grayson (born 1948), Harrisonburg, educator and advocate for abused children *

Mary Randolph Mary Randolph (August 9, 1762 – January 23, 1828) was a Southern American cook and author, known for writing ''The Virginia House-Wife; Or, Methodical Cook'' (1824), one of the most influential housekeeping and cook books of the 19th century. ...

(1762–1828), Chesterfield County and

, writer * Virginia Estelle Randolph (1874–1958),

, educator *

Mary Sue Terry Mary Sue Terry (born September 28, 1947) is an American Democratic politician from Virginia. Early life Terry was born the daughter of Nathaniel Chatham Terry and Nannie Ruth Terry in Martinsville, Virginia. She was an active and enthusiastic ...

(born 1947),

Patrick County Patrick County is a county located on the central southern border of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,608. Its county seat is Stuart. It is located within both the rolling hills and valleys of the Pi ...

, attorney general

2010 honorees

* Mollie Holmes Adams (1881–1973), King William County,

Upper Mattaponi The Mattaponi () tribe is one of only two Virginia Indian tribes in the Commonwealth of Virginia that owns reservation land, which it has held since the colonial era. The larger Mattaponi Indian Tribe lives in King William County on the reserv ...

leader * Ethel Bailey Furman (1893–1976), Richmond, architect * Edythe C. Harrison (born 1934), Norfolk, civic leader *

Janis Martin Janis Darlene Martin (March 27, 1940 – September 3, 2007) was an American rockabilly and country music singer. She was one of the few women working in the male-dominated rock and roll music field during the 1950s and one of country music ...

(1940–2007), Danville, singer and composer * Kate Mason Rowland (1840–1916), Richmond, writer * Jean Miller Skipwith (1748–1826), Mecklenburg County, book collector * Queena Stovall (1888–1980), Lynchburg and Amherst County, artist * Marian A. Van Landingham (born 1937), Alexandria, civic leader

2011 honorees

* Lucy Addison (1861–1937), Roanoke, educator * Eleanor Bontecou (1891–1976), Arlington County, attorney * Emily White Fleming (1855–1941), Fredericksburg, preservationist * Pearl Fu (born 1941), Roanoke, civic leader * Lillian Lincoln Lambert (born 1940), Mechanicsville, businesswoman and author *

Bessie Niemeyer Marshall Bessie Niemeyer Marshall was an American botanical illustrator known for her watercolor paintings of the wildflowers of Lee Memorial Park. Her artwork documented the variety of plant species being preserved in Lee Memorial Park, a Works Progres ...

(1884–1960), Petersburg, botanical illustrator * Felicia Warburg Rogan (born 1927), Albemarle County, vintner *

Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell (1749–1825), a sister of Patrick Henry and Annie Henry Christian, was born in Hanover County, Virginia, to John Henry and Sarah Winston. In 1776 she married Gen. William Campbell (1745–1781), the commander of t ...

(1749–1825), Saltville, Methodist lay leader

2012 honorees

* Susie May Ames (1888–1969), Accomack County, historian *

Monica Beltran Monica Beltran (born 1985) is a soldier in the Virginia Army National Guard who was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for actions during a 2005 battle in the Iraq War. Early life and education Born in 1985, Beltran is from Prince Will ...

(born 1985), Woodbridge, army Bronze Star Medal recipient *

Christiana Burdett Campbell Christiana Burdett Campbell (ca. 1723–March 25, 1792) was a colonial innkeeper from Williamsburg, Virginia. She started the business herself in an era where it was unusual for women to do so in the colony. A replica of her tavern was built in Co ...

(c. 1723–1792), Williamsburg, innkeeper * Betty Sams Christian (1922–2006), Richmond, business executive and philanthropist * Elizabeth Peet McIntosh (1915–2015), Woodbridge, intelligence agent *

Orleana Hawks Puckett Orleana Hawks Puckett was an American Midwifery, midwife in the mountains of Patrick County, Virginia, Patrick and Carroll County, Virginia, Carroll County, Virginia. Although never documented, it is said she helped deliver more than 1,000 babies ...

(died 1939), Patrick and Carroll Counties, midwife *

Judith Shatin Judith Shatin (Allen) (b. November 21, 1949) is an American composer. Currently, she is William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor at the University of Virginia. She also founded and is Director of the Virginia Center for Computer Music.Alice Jackson Stuart (1913–2001), Richmond, principal in a 1935 civil rights turning point

2013 honorees

* Mary C. Alexander (1893–1955), Lynchburg, aviator * Louise A. Reeves Archer (1893–1948), Vienna, educator * Elizabeth Ambler Brent Carrington (1765–1842), Richmond, civic leader *

Ann Compton Ann Compton (born January 19, 1947) is an American former news reporter and White House correspondent for ABC News Radio. Career highlights Ann Compton graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, in 1965. She began her broadcasti ...

(born 1947), Roanoke, news correspondent * JoAnn Falleta (born 1954), Norfolk, musician *

Cleo Powell Cleo Elaine Powell (born January 12, 1957) is a justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia. She was sworn in on October 21, 2011 for a term ending on July 31, 2023. Justice Powell is the first African-American female to serve on Virginia's highest ...

(born 1957), Brunswick County, judge * Inez Pruitt (born 1962),

Tangier Island Tangier is a town in Accomack County, Virginia, United States, on Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay. The population was 727 at the 2010 census. Since 1850, the island's landmass has been reduced by 67%. Under the mid-range sea level rise scena ...

, physician assistant *

Eva Mae Fleming Scott Eva Mae Fleming Scott (May 6, 1926 – March 28, 2019) was an American pharmacist, businesswoman and politician from Virginia. Despite redistricting problems, she served four consecutive two-year terms as delegate in the Virginia General Assembl ...

(1926–2019), Amelia County, legislator, recipient of the VABPW Foundation Business Leadership Award

2014 honorees

* Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford (1802–1896), Fredericksburg, antislavery activist *

Naomi Silverman Cohn Naomi Silverman Cohn (April 15, 1888 – October 20, 1982) was an American social activist and government worker. She cofounded the Virginia Council on State Legislation which followed legislative bills dedicated to women's issues. Cohn directed ...

(1888–1982), Richmond, civic activist * Elizabeth Ashburn Duke (born 1952), Virginia Beach, banker, recipient of the VABPW Foundation Business Leadership Award * Rachel Findlay (c. 1750–d. after August 17, 1820), Wythe County, principal in a freedom suit *

Christine Herter Kendall Christine Herter Kendall (August 25, 1890 – June 22, 1981) was an American painter. Biography The daughter of physician Christian Archibald Herter and Susan Dows Herter, she was born in Irvington-on-Hudson, New York. She had an older and ...

(1890–1981), Bath County, artist and patron of the arts * Mildred Delores Jeter Loving (1939–2008), Caroline County, principal in a 1967 civil rights turning point * Deborah A. "Debbie" Ryan (born 1952), Albemarle County, basketball coach and cancer treatment advocate *

Stoner Winslett Stoner Winslett (born 1958) is an American former ballet dancer and the artistic director of the Richmond Ballet. In 2014, she was honored by the Virginia Women in History project of the University of Virginia for her contributions to the communit ...

(born 1958), Richmond, artistic director and choreographer

2015 honorees

* Nancy Melvina Caldwell (1868–1956), Carroll County, legislator *

Nikki Giovanni Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. (born June 7, 1943) is an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. One of the world's most well-known African-American poets,Jane M. Barstow, Yolanda Williams Page (eds)"Nikki Giovanni" ''E ...

(born 1943), Blacksburg, poet * Ruth Coles Harris (born 1928), Richmond, business professor *

Dorothy Shoemaker McDiarmid Dorothy Shoemaker McDiarmid (October 22, 1906 – June 8, 1994) was a teacher, real estate broker, Quaker activist, and Virginia legislator for nearly 26 years. Early and family life Born in Waco, Texas to U.S. Department of Agriculture employe ...

(1906–1994), Fairfax County, legislator * Rebekah Dulaney Peterkin (1849–1891), Richmond, philanthropist *

Vivian W. Pinn Vivian Winona Pinn (born 1941) is an American physician-scientist and pathologist known for her advocacy of women's health issues and concerns, particularly for ensuring that federally funded medical studies include female patients, and well as e ...

(born 1941), Lynchburg, pathologist and women's health advocate * Elizabeth Bray Allen, also known as Elizabeth Bray Allen Smith Stith (c. 1692–1774), Isle of Wight County, planter and philanthropist * Karenne Wood (1960–2019), Fluvanna County, Virginia Indian scholar and advocate

2016 honorees

* Flora D. Crittenden (1924–2021), Newport News, educator and legislator * Mary Elizabeth Nottingham Day (1907–1956), Staunton, artist *

Sarah A. Gray Sarah A. Gray (c. 1847 – January 8, 1893) was an American educator from the state of Virginia. Biography Sarah A. Gray was born in Alexandria, Virginia to parents William and Laura Dundas Gray. As her father was free and her mother was emanci ...

(c. 1847–1893), Alexandria, educator * Edwilda Gustava Allen Isaac (1937–2022), Farmville, civil rights pioneer * Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson (1918–2020), Hampton, mathematician * Ana Ines Barragan King (born 1957), Richmond, founder and Artistic Director of the Latin Ballet of Virginia * Betty Masters (1929–2015), Salem, photojournalist *

Meyera Oberndorf Meyera E. Oberndorf (February 10, 1941 – March 13, 2015) was the 23rd Mayor of Virginia Beach, Virginia. She was Virginia Beach's longest-serving mayor, and she previously served as the city's vice mayor. She was the city's first female ...

(1941–2015), Virginia Beach, mayor

2017 honorees

* Corazon Sandoval Foley (born 1950), Fairfax County, community activist *

(1883–1942), Richmond, artist and social reformer * Cynthia Eppes Hudson (born 1959), Nottoway County, Chief Deputy Attorney General of Virginia * Mary Virginia Jones (born 1940), Prince William County, mechanical engineer * Louise Harrison McCraw(1893–1975), Buckingham, author and executive secretary of the Braille Circulating Library * Doris Crouse-Mays (born 1958), Wythe County, labor leader *

Undine Smith Moore Undine Eliza Anna Smith Moore (25 August 1904 – 6 February 1989), the "Dean of Black Women Composers", was an American composer and professor of music in the twentieth century. Moore was originally trained as a classical pianist, but devel ...

(1904–1989), Ettrick, educator and composer * Martha Rollins (born 1943), Richmond, community activist and philanthropist; recipient of the VABPW Foundation Business Leadership Award

2018 honorees

* Gaye Todd Adegbalola (born 1944), blues singer and guitarist, teacher, lecturer, activist, and photographer *

Rita Dove Rita Frances Dove (born August 28, 1952) is an American poet and essayist. From 1993 to 1995, she served as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. She is the first African American to have been appointed since the positi ...

(born 1952), poet and essayist *

Isabella Gibbons Isabella Gibbons ( – February 4, 1890) was an enslaved woman serving as a cook at the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, Virginia. After liberation in 1865 she became a teacher. Under slavery Isabella's birth date, place of birth, and ...

(d. 1890), teacher and minister * Marii Kyogoku Hasegawa (1918–2012), peace activist *

Kay Coles James Kay Coles James (born June 1, 1949) is an American public official who has served as secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia since January 2022, and as the director for the United States Office of Personnel Management under President George W. ...

(born 1949), president of the

Heritage Foundation The Heritage Foundation (abbreviated to Heritage) is an American conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C. that is primarily geared toward public policy. The foundation took a leading role in the conservative movement during the preside ...

Barbara Kingsolver Barbara Kingsolver (born April 8, 1955) is an American novelist, essayist and poet. She was raised in rural Kentucky and lived briefly in the Congo in her early childhood. Kingsolver earned degrees in biology at DePauw University and the Univers ...

(born 1955), novelist * Mary Aydelotte Rice Marshall (1921–1992),

Virginia House of Delegates The Virginia House of Delegates is one of the two parts of the Virginia General Assembly, the other being the Senate of Virginia. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbe ...

* Temperance Flowerdew Yeardley (d. 1628), settler of the Jamestown Colony

2019 honorees

* Sharifa Alkhateeb (1946–2004)

Muslim Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...

writer and teacher * Queen Ann (Pamunkey chief) ( fl. 1706–1712) * Claudia Lane Dodson (1941–2007), women's sports advocate *

India Hamilton India Hamilton ( - April 18, 1950) was an African-American educator. A native of King and Queen County, Virginia, Hamilton was born into poverty, the daughter of former slaves. She was a graduate of Howard University. In 1913 she began her tea ...

(c. 1879 – 1950), educator * Georgeanna Seegar Jones (1912–2005), American physician who with her husband, Howard W. Jones, pioneered

in vitro fertilization In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a process of fertilisation where an egg is combined with sperm in vitro ("in glass"). The process involves monitoring and stimulating an individual's ovulatory process, removing an ovum or ova (egg or eggs) ...

in the United States * Ona Maria Judge (c. 1773 – 1848), Fugitive slave of US President George Washington, who successfully escaped Mount Vernon. The Washington family never pursued her, but never freed her. *

Lucy Randolph Mason Lucy Randolph Mason (July 26, 1882 – May 6, 1959) was an American labor activist and suffragist. She was involved in the union movement, the consumer movement and the civil rights movement in the mid-20th century. Early life Lucy Rando ...

(1882–1959), civil rights activist, labor activist and suffragette *

Kate Peters Sturgill Katherine O'Neill Peters Sturgill (March 3, 1907 – ) was an Appalachian singer and musician. She collected folk songs and some of her own songs were collected and are in the collections of the Library of Congress. Early life Kate Peters Stu ...

(1907–1975), musician and folk song collector

2020 honorees

* Pauline Adams (1874–1957), suffragist * Fannie Bayly King (1864–1951), social reformer and suffragist * Elizabeth Dabney Langhorne Lewis (1851–1946), suffragist * Sophie G. Meredith (1851–1928), suffragist * Josephine Mathes Norcom (1873–1927), community activist and suffragist * Mary Elizabeth Pidgeon (1890–1979), suffragist and labor economist * Ora Brown Stokes (1882–1957), educator, probation officer, temperance worker, and clubwoman * Lila Meade Valentine (1865–1921), reformer and suffragist * Maggie Lena Mitchell Walker (1864–1934), entrepreneur and civil rights leader

References

External links

Virginia Women in History
{{DEFAULTSORT:Virginia Women In History History of Virginia Women in Virginia Women's halls of fame Awards established in 2000 2000 establishments in Virginia