Browse Items (373 total)

An acclaimed lyric soprano and the first African American to receive a contract from a major American opera company, Camilla Ella Williams was a pioneer for black artists in classical music.

Danville

The first orthopedic surgeon to fly into space, Robert L. Satcher's mission aboard the space shuttle Atlantis included spacewalks to repair robotic arms on the International Space Station.

Hampton

Jamelle Smith Wilson is the first woman and first African American to lead the Hanover County Public School Division.

Hanover County

John-Geline MacDonald Bowman helped establish business and professional organizations for Virginia women and served as president of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs.

Richmond

Hall of Fame basketball player Alonzo Mourning Jr. is a champion of charitable causes and persevered against kidney disease.

Chesapeake

An astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Beth A. Brown worked to inspire women and minorities to pursue careers in science.

Roanoke

Brigadier General Sheila Baxter was the first female and the second African-American brigadier general in the Army Medical Service Corps.

Franklin

A success in the classroom and on the gridiron, Super Bowl champion Michael Robinson encourages students to strive academically and participate in community service.

Richmond

Fulfilling her passion for public service, Melody C. Barnes has been working to shape domestic policy in Washington, D.C., for more than 20 years.

Richmond