Browse Items (17 total)

Dangerfield Newby was one of five African Americans who took up arms against slavery with fellow abolitionist John Brown at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in October 1859.

Culpeper County

With decades of meritorious service in the United States Navy, Captain Janet H. Days is the first African American to command Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval station.

Norfolk

Dana Olden Baldwin was a community physician whose entrepreneurial spirit created a thriving African-American business district in Martinsville.

Martinsville

After a decorated career as a military and commercial pilot, William E. Bailey continues to work for increased diversity in the aviation profession and to expand educational opportunities for African Americans.

Accomack County

Charles Spurgeon Johnson battled racism early in the twentieth century as a preeminent sociologist, author, educator, and college president.

Bristol

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

Franklin

For his bravery during battle in the American Civil War, Sergeant William H. Carney was the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Norfolk

Brigadier General Gwen Bingham was the first woman to serve as quartermaster general of the United States Army.

Prince George County

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.

Prince William County

Florence Saunders Farley has fought against racism and bias to open doors in science and politics for African American women in Virginia.

Roanoke and Petersburg