Women's History Month

Pearl Bailey (1918–1990)

Born in Newport News, Virginia, Pearl Bailey was a celebrated singer, actress, and author whose charisma and talent made her a beloved entertainer. She began singing in church and local venues before launching a career that spanned Broadway, film, and television. Known for her warm voice and witty stage presence, she captivated audiences with performances in productions like Cabin in the Sky and Hello, Dolly!, where she made history as the first Black actress to star in the title role on Broadway. Her 1968 recording of "Hello, Dolly!" earned her a special Tony Award, recognizing her groundbreaking contribution to American theater.

Beyond entertainment, Bailey was a humanitarian and goodwill ambassador, using her platform to advocate for education and racial unity. Appointed by President Gerald Ford, she served as a delegate to the United Nations in 1975. She earned a degree in theology later in life and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1988 for her contributions to the arts and public service. A library in the Southeastern Community of Newport News was named for Ms. Bailey, ensuring her legacy endures in the city where her remarkable journey began.

Dr. Golden Bethune-Hill (1918–1990)

Newport News native Dr. Golden H. Bethune-Hill built a distinguished career at the intersection of healthcare leadership and community advocacy. A graduate of G.W. Carver High School, she earned a B.S. in Nursing from North Carolina A&T State University, a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, and completed a nurse executives fellowship at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She began her clinical career at Montefiore Medical Center in New York before returning to Newport News, where she became the first African American Director of Nursing and, later, the first African American Executive Vice President of Riverside Health System.

Following her retirement in 2010, Dr. Bethune-Hill channeled her expertise into closing healthcare gaps for underserved residents of the Virginia Peninsula, co-founding what became the Charlie W. and Golden Bethune-Hill Community Health Clinic. She also lent her name to a landmark voting rights case, Bethune-Hill v. Virginia State Board of Elections, challenging racial gerrymandering in the state legislature. Recognized by the Virginia House of Delegates and honored with numerous civic awards, she passed away on April 29, 2024, leaving a legacy of service that continues to shape her community.

Flora Davis Crittenden (1924–2021)

Flora Davis Crittenden graduated from Huntington High School in 1941, earned her undergraduate degree from Virginia State University, and her Master of Science from Indiana University. She worked in NNPS for 32 years as a teacher, department head, guidance counselor, and guidance director at Carver High School and Carver Intermediate School. Active in her community, she served as President of the Newport News NAACP, was involved in Trinity Baptist Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and served as president of the Christopher Newport University Board. Elected to Newport News City Council in 1986, she won a special election in 1993 to fill a vacant seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, where she served for 11 years.

The building where Crittenden Middle School stands originally opened as George Washington Carver High School, became Carver Intermediate in 1971, and was renamed in 1980 to honor former principal Homer L. Hines. After closing for renovation in 1990, the Hines name was reassigned to another Newport News school. In 1994, the School Board renamed the school Flora D. Crittenden Middle School, and in 1995 it became the site of the middle school STEM magnet program.

Norvleate Downing-Gross (1905–1983)

Norvleate Downing-Gross moved to Newport News with her husband in 1931. She was a dedicated public servant and championed several community programs. The Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center is named in her honor.

She once said, "I was inspired by the faith of a few that I could do a job for my community and for those who were less fortunate than ourselves."

Her achievements include:

• Graduate of Howard University
• Program director of Phillis Wheatley YWCA
• Executive Secretary of the Peninsula Coordinating Committee
• Executive Director of the Newport News Office of Human Affairs

Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996)

Born in Newport News, Virginia, Ella Fitzgerald rose from humble local roots to become one of the most celebrated vocalists in American music history. Known as the "First Lady of Song" and the "Queen of Jazz," her enchanting voice, impeccable phrasing, and versatility across musical genres made her a household name during a career spanning over six decades. She collaborated with jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, and her renditions of the Great American Songbook remain timeless classics.

Beyond her musical achievements, Fitzgerald broke significant racial barriers as the first African-American woman to win a Grammy Award, ultimately earning 13, alongside the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her legacy lives on nationally and right here in Newport News, where in 2021, Newport News Public Schools honored her memory by renaming the former Dozier Middle School as Ella Fitzgerald Middle School. The renaming reflected the School Board's commitment to inclusion and diversity, ensuring that one of Newport News' most celebrated daughters is never forgotten.

Ethel Mae Gildersleeve (1898–1991)

From teacher to dean of girls and assistant principal, Ethel Mae Gildersleeve served students at Newport News High School for 44 years. Gildersleeve Middle School was named in her honor in 1989, and a Newport News alumni group established the Ethel M. Gildersleeve Memorial Scholarship in 1993 to provide funding for students planning to attend CNU.

Alfred "Buck" Soter, a former student, said, "She always had a beautiful sense of humor, always would put some extra effort forth to help everybody."

Her achievements include:

• Master's Degree from Columbia University
• Children's mentor and advocate for seven decades

Mary Winston Jackson (1921–2005)

Mary Winston Jackson was an American mathematician and aerospace engineer who broke barriers at NASA during the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Hampton, Virginia, she earned a degree in mathematics and physical science from Hampton Institute in 1942, beginning her career as a schoolteacher before joining the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1951. Working as a "human computer" in the segregated West Area Computers division, she went on to become NASA's first African American female engineer, making significant contributions to aerodynamics through aircraft design and wind tunnel testing. Her remarkable story was later brought to wide public attention through the book and film Hidden Figures.

Despite facing both racial and gender discrimination throughout her career, Jackson remained determined and continued to forge new paths in a male-dominated field. In the 1970s, she shifted her focus toward advocacy, working to support women and minorities in STEM and encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in engineering.

Katherine Goble Johnson (1918–2020)

Katherine Goble Johnson was a pioneering American mathematician whose calculations were essential to NASA's early space missions. Born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, she displayed exceptional talent from a young age, graduating high school at 14 and earning degrees in French and mathematics from West Virginia State University in 1937. Johnson joined NACA, which later became NASA, in 1953, where her work proved crucial to the trajectory analysis for Alan Shepard's first American spaceflight and the orbital calculations for John Glenn's historic flight around Earth. Her remarkable story, alongside colleagues Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, was chronicled in the 2016 film Hidden Figures.

Despite facing racial and gender discrimination throughout her career, Johnson's perseverance made her a trailblazer for women and African Americans in science and mathematics. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Johnson passed away at age 101 on February 24, 2020, in Newport News. In 2021, NNPS honored her legacy by renaming the former Lee Hall Elementary School as Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School.

Meyera Ellenson Oberndorf (1944–2015)

Meyera Ellenson Oberndorf was a pioneering civic leader and philanthropist best known for being the first female mayor of Virginia Beach, serving from 1994 to 2002. During her tenure, she advocated for public education, environmental preservation, and economic development, leading efforts to expand parks, improve schools, and enhance the city's infrastructure. Her leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on the Hampton Roads area, and she is remembered for her commitment to advancing women in leadership roles.

Beyond her political career, Oberndorf was deeply involved in community service, supporting the arts, education, and social services. In 2009, Governor Tim Kaine appointed her to the Virginia State Library Board. In 2013, the Diocese of Richmond and Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia honored her with the Bishop's Humanitarian Award for her public service. She was posthumously named one of the Virginia Women in History for 2016. Oberndorf's enduring legacy reflects a lifetime devoted to bettering her community and inspiring future generations of public servants.

Hazel Reid O'Leary (1937–)

Hazel Reid O'Leary was born in Newport News, Virginia, in 1937, attending Aberdeen Gardens School in Hampton and several Newport News schools, including Huntington High School, before graduating from the High School of Fine and Performing Arts in Newark, New Jersey. She earned her undergraduate degree Phi Beta Kappa from Fisk University in 1959 and her J.D. from Rutgers University Law School in 1966. O'Leary made history as the first African American and first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of Energy, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. During her tenure, she prioritized transparency, environmental justice, and the declassification of Cold War-era nuclear testing documents.

Before leading the Department of Energy, O'Leary built an extensive career in public service and the private sector, including key roles in the Carter administration and executive positions in the energy industry. She later served as president of Fisk University, strengthening its academic programs. Her legacy endures as one of advocacy for clean energy, corporate accountability, and expanding opportunities for historically underrepresented communities.

Mary Lipe Passage (1916–2003)

Mary Lipe Passage started her career in education as a teacher at Warwick High School. She went on to become the first female principal of a major Virginia high school, Ferguson High School. Mary L. Passage Middle School was named in her honor in 2000.

Mr. Everette Hicks, a former Newport News School Board member, said, "She was a real educator. She was concerned about the achievement of the students in the city."

Her achievements include:

• Appointment as Ferguson High principal in 1965 made history for female administrators in the region and state
• Assisted creation of Point Option in 1973
• Retired as NNPS Assistant Director of Instruction, Secondary and Gifted Education

Jessie Menifield Rattley (1929–2001)

Jessie Menifield Rattley was a prominent leader in Newport News, Virginia, dedicated to education and public service. After graduating from Hampton Institute, she taught in public schools and later founded Peninsula Business College in 1952 to help African Americans gain business skills. Her passion for community improvement extended beyond the classroom, as she became involved in civic, religious, and political organizations to advocate for economic and educational opportunities.

In 1970, Rattley became the first African American and the first woman elected to the Newport News City Council, where she served for 20 years, including four as mayor. She played a key role in making local politics more inclusive, advised President Jimmy Carter on urban issues, and led both the Virginia Municipal League and the National League of Cities. After her time in office, she was a fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School and taught at Hampton University. In 2003, Newport News honored her legacy by renaming its city hall after her.

Abigail Davis Spanberger (1979–)

When Abigail Spanberger was sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor on January 17, 2026, she made history by becoming the first woman ever to hold the commonwealth's highest office. For a state with more than 400 years of history, it was a milestone long in the making. Spanberger has spoken publicly about what her election means for the young women and girls watching across Virginia, acknowledging both the weight of the moment and the responsibility that comes with it.

Born in New Jersey and raised in the Richmond suburbs, Spanberger graduated from the University of Virginia before beginning a career in federal law enforcement and intelligence, serving as a CIA case officer focused on counter-terrorism and nuclear nonproliferation. She later earned an MBA and transitioned into public service, representing Virginia's Seventh Congressional District for three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. She and her husband Adam are raising three daughters in Henrico County, the community she has called home for most of her life.

Lila Meade Valentine (1865–1921)

Lila Meade Valentine was an influential American civil rights activist and suffragist. Born in Richmond, Virginia, she became a prominent advocate for women's rights and social reform in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As one of the founders of the Virginia Equal Suffrage League, Valentine played a critical role in advancing the cause of women's voting rights in the South. She worked tirelessly to organize campaigns, raise awareness, and lobby lawmakers to support suffrage, even in the face of significant opposition.

Beyond her work with the suffrage movement, Valentine was also a staunch advocate for education and health care reform, as well as racial equality. She was involved in various social justice causes and worked to improve the lives of African Americans and women in her community. Valentine's legacy is one of courage, determination, and an unwavering commitment to equality. Her efforts helped pave the way for future generations of women to exercise their rights and demand a place in the political and social landscape of the nation.

Dorothy Johnson Vaughan (1910–2008)

Dorothy Jean Johnson Vaughan was a pioneering mathematician and computer scientist who played a crucial role in America's space program. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, she later moved to Newport News, Virginia and worked at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton. In 1943, she joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor to NASA, as part of the segregated West Area Computing unit. She became the first Black woman to supervise staff at Langley, breaking racial and gender barriers in a field dominated by white men.

Vaughan was an expert in mathematical computations and was among the first to recognize the importance of digital computing. She mastered programming languages like FORTRAN, ensuring that her team of Black female mathematicians remained essential as NASA transitioned to electronic computers. Her contributions were highlighted in the book and film Hidden Figures, which brought long-overdue recognition to her work. Her legacy lives on as an inspiration for women in STEM.

Maggie Lena Walker (1864–1934)

Maggie L. Walker, born in Richmond, Virginia, was a pioneering African American businesswoman and civil rights leader. She made history in 1903 by becoming the first Black woman in the United States to charter and serve as president of a bank, the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. Her leadership helped African Americans gain financial independence by providing loans and banking services that were often denied by white-owned institutions.

Beyond banking, Walker was a fierce advocate for education, employment, and civil rights. She played a significant role in the Independent Order of St. Luke, a Black fraternal organization, and used her influence to promote economic empowerment within the African American community. Despite facing racial and gender barriers, Walker's legacy endures as a symbol of resilience and progress. Her home in Richmond is now a National Historic Site, preserving her impact on American history.

Dorothy Roles Watkins (1909–1974)

Dorothy R. Watkins was an elementary school teacher who moved to the Peninsula in 1933 and taught at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Newport News. She joined the Newport News Negro Teachers' Association, which petitioned the School Board for equal pay in 1940. When talks failed, Watkins and the association filed suit against the Superintendent and School Board on February 18, 1942. A federal court ruled in her favor in 1943, but the School Board refused to comply for over two years and ultimately fired Watkins and five other association leaders. Her suit to be reinstated was unsuccessful, as the court ruled the board could hire and fire at will.

Watkins went on to teach for the Warwick School System until the 1958 consolidation with Newport News, then continued teaching for NNPS until her retirement in 1973. In 1974, she was appointed to the Newport News School Board. In 1976, the Dorothy R. Watkins Educational Center was named in her honor, a building now known as Watkins Early Childhood Center.

Karenne Wood (1960–2019)