Women have played an integral part in Virginia from its beginnings, yet their contributions have often been overlooked in the history books. Until well into the twentieth century, written histories tended to focus on the historically male-dominated fields of government and politics, the military, and large-scale landholding to the virtual exclusion of all other venues of leadership or achievement. They ignored women’s critical roles educators, nurses, lay leaders, farmers, artists, writers, reformers, pioneers, business leaders, laborers, and community builders.
The Library of Virginia recognizes and celebrates women’s accomplishments in all walks of life during March, which Congress has designated as National Women’s History Month. The Virginia Foundation for Women began the popular Virginia Women in History educational program in 2000 and in 2006 transferred it to the Library of Virginia, which now sponsors statewide activities that include a poster, related learning activities tied to the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs), and a traveling exhibition. The annual Virginia Women in History project culminates with an evening program recognizing the honorees. Dominion is the signature sponsor for this event and the Richmond Times-Dispatch is the media sponsor.
Learn more about fascinating women who developed new approaches to old problems, strove for excellence based on the courage of their convictions, and initiated changes in Virginia and the United States that continue to affect our lives today. We invite you to make use of the material provided within these pages and share them with members of your community, young and old alike.
Below are the current year's honorees. A listing of past and present honorees is available alphabetically or listed by year.
2012 Program:
2012 Virginia Women in History: Program and Reception
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Place: Lecture Hall & Lobby
Free, but reservations required. Seating is limited. Please call 804-692-3900 by March 23 to RSVP.
Join the Library of Virginia as it recognizes eight outstanding Virginia women who have made important contributions to Virginia, the nation, and the world. A reception follows the program.
2012 Women in History:
Susie May Ames (1888–1969), Accomack County
Historian
Susie M. Ames's writings made major contributions to understanding the social and cultural life of seventeenth-century Virginia.
Monica Beltran, Prince William County
Bronze Star Medal recipient
As a result of her heroic actions while under attack in Iraq, Monica Beltran became the first woman in the Virginia National Guard to receive a Bronze Star Medal for Valor.
Christiana Burdett Campbell (ca. 1723–1792), Willamsburg
Innkeeper
Christiana Campbell became one of Williamsburg's most prominent and successful tavern keepers during the Revolutionary era.
Betty Sams Christian (1922–2006), Richmond
Business executive and philanthropist
A president of Central Coca-Cola Bottling Company for more than twenty years, Betty Sams Christian enriched her community through philanthropy.
Elizabeth Peet McIntosh, Woodbridge
Intelligence agent
As an intelligence agent with the Office of Strategic Services, Elizabeth Peet worked in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II.
Orleana Hawks Puckett (d. 1939), Patrick and Carroll Counties
Midwife
Living in a rural mountain region with few doctors, Orleana Hawks Puckett became a midwife and successfully delivered more than 1,000 babies in her community.
Judith Shatin, Charlottesville
Composer
Judith Shatin champions music that blurs the line between acoustic and digital.
Alice Jackson Stuart (1913–2001), Richmond
principal in a 1935 civil rights turning point
By applying to the University of Virginia to pursue graduate studies, Alice Jackson challenged Virginia's laws of segregation.
