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Throughout Virginia's history, women have played important, but often overlooked, roles as educators, entrepreneurs, nurses, lay leaders, farmers, artists, writers, reformers, pioneers, laborers, and community builders.

The Library of Virginia recognizes and celebrates women's accomplishments in all walks of life with the annual Virginia Women in History program, which honors eight women, past and present, who developed new approaches to old problems, strove for excellence based on the courage of their convictions, and initiated changes in their communities, state, and nation that continue to effect our lives today.

The Library of Virginia sponsors a variety of statewide activities for Virginia Women in History. Click on the tabs for more information about our programs.

“Beautifully told and riveting…”
—Adriana Trigiani, best-selling Virginia author of Big Stone Gap and other novels

“Lavishly illustrated, and brimming with unforgettable stories…” 
—Elizabeth R. Varon, Langbourne M. Williams Professor of American History,
                        University of Virginia

The Library of Virginia’s latest publication, Changing History: Virginia Women through Four Centuries, tells the important and inspiring stories of women—both famous and lesser-known—who have influenced the course of history in the Old Dominion. From 17th century Indian chiefs to the 21st century chief justice of the state supreme court, Virginia’s women have created an evocative legacy. Changing History tells their stories.