COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Education

March 1, 2013

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Patricia I. Wright, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:  Educational Resources from the Library of Virginia: 2013 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History and 2013 Virginia Women in History Program

The Library of Virginia, partnering with Dominion and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, has made available educational resources developed for history and social science teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools.  These resources highlight the state and national contributions of African Americans and Virginia women, including a short biography of each individual honored.  The biography cards detailing the accomplishments of the honorees are supported by online educational resources suitable for teachers in grades K-12.  These can be found at:  http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/smw/ and http://lva.virginia.gov/vawomen/.

This year's honorees are:

2013 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History

• Peter Jacob Carter (1845-1886), Legislator, Northampton County.
• Jennie Serepta Dean (1848-1913), Educator, Manassas.
• Robert Russa Moton (1867-1940), Educator, Hampton.  Nominated by Sally Miller on behalf of the fourth- and fifth-grade classes at William Fox Elementary School, Richmond.
• Nannie Berger Hairston (1921-    ), Community Activist, Christiansburg.  Nominated by the third-grade class of Mary Biggs at Harding Avenue Elementary School, Blacksburg.
• Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker (1929-    ), Civil Rights Activist, Petersburg.
• Xavier R. Richardson (1957-    ), Mentor and Community Leader, Fredericksburg.
• Brigadier General Gwen Bingham (1959-    ), Quartermaster General, U. S. Army, Prince George County.
• Robert L. Satcher, Jr., M.D. (1965-    ), Astronaut, Hampton.

2013 Virginia Women in History

• Mary C. Alexander (1893-1955), Aviator, Lynchburg.
• Louise Archer (1893-1948), Educator, Vienna.  Nominated by the fourth-grade class of Louise Archer Elementary School, Vienna.
• Elizabeth Carrington (1765-1842), Child Advocate, Richmond.
• Ann Compton (1947-    ), Journalist, Roanoke and Richmond.
• JoAnn Falletta (1954-    ), Musician, Conductor, Norfolk.
• Justice Cleo E. Powell (1957-    ), Judge, Brunswick County.  Nominated by Gladys Wilder, Swansboro Elementary School, Richmond.
• Inez Pruitt (1962-    ), Health Provider, Tangier Island.  Nominated by the tenth-grade class at Tangier Combined School.
• Eva Fleming Scott (1926-    ), Legislator, Amelia County.

The deadline for 2014 nominations is June 28, 2013.  Teachers who submit successful nominations will be awarded a prize of $250 to be used for classroom supplies.

For more information about either the Strong Men and Women in Virginia History or the Virginia Women in History projects, please contact the Library of Virginia education team, by e-mail at education@lva.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 692-3999; or Betsy Barton, specialist for history and social science, Office of Humanities and Early Childhood, by e-mail at Betsy.Barton@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 225-3454.

PIW/BSB/vdg