1
10
14
-
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Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Contemporary United States
Description
An account of the resource
This era is, in large part, a study of the United States as a global power – politically, economically and militarily. The detente with the Communist China under Nixon begins a shift in our “Domino Theory” in Asia. The collapse of the Soviet Union, the overthrow of communist governments in Eastern Europe, and the end of the Cold War and the nuclear arms race also changed how the United States interacted with Europe. At the same time, intervention and actions increased in our own hemisphere and in the Middle East. Terrorism also became a driving force behind foreign policy.
Politically, there was a shift away from liberalism for much of this time period. Political scandals such as Watergate and Iran-Contra were treated differently than previous scandals, thanks in large part to an increase in television coverage. The governmental role in the economy, environmental protection, social welfare, and more shifted greatly during this time period and that role, and its scope, are still being debated today.
Socially, this time period saw for the first time immigration primarily from Asia and Central America. A new wave of reform movements promoted environmental, feminist, and civil rights agendas. There was also a resurgence of religious evangelicalism. Technological advances once again redefined not only the economic landscape of America, but also the lives of everyday citizens.
Learn more in the National U.S. History Content Standards.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1968-Present
Person
An individual.
Biographical Text
Born in Ulaanbaatar, he is world renowned as a master of the ancient Buddhist ritual known as Tsam, and as a maker of the masks that are central to this ritual practice. He is currently working with the blessings of the Dalai Lama to build a World Peace Pagoda in Mongolia and a second, smaller version in Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.<br /><br />Watch excerpts from Ganna's interview about:<br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://youtu.be/BRxzhsH09GA" target="_blank">Belonging</a> </b>(3:04)</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://youtu.be/xWCDeTZ5Uk0" target="_blank">Opportunity</a></strong> (1:00)</li>
</ul>
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Title
A name given to the resource
Gankhuyag (Ganna) Natsag
Subject
The topic of the resource
New Virginians
Description
An account of the resource
A native of Mongolia, Gankhuyag (Ganna) Natsag is world renowned as a master of the ancient Buddhist ritual known as Tsam.
Religion
-
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Title
A name given to the resource
Postwar United States
Description
An account of the resource
The era immediately following World War II brought about vast changes, not only in foreign policy, but in economics and a changing civic landscape. The liberalism of the New Deal era grew into movements towards increasing civil liberties and economic opportunities, particularly for minorities and women. Protests became more and more common to the average American as groups demanded equal rights and voting equality. These movements were juxtaposed with Jim Crow laws and the reemergence of the KKK, which showed the darker side of life in the American South.
The Cold War pitted the United States and its allies in the newly formed NATO against the ever-increasing and expanding Soviet Union and its fellow Communist regimes, particularly China, Korea and Vietnam. While this era is considered Postwar, it is in fact a move towards a new type of war, where campaigns are fought not only on the battleground, but in the political arena and social consciousness as well, fueled strongly by the increasing influence of television news. The fall of the Nazi regime opened the door to the Iron Curtain and Soviet dominance of Eastern Europe, and the defeat of Japan opened previously invaded lands to the chance to choose new leaders, many of whom sided with the tenants of Communism over those of Capitalism. The United States would spend much of this time period combating the “Domino Effect” to try and stem the spread of Communism, particularly in its own hemisphere with Cuba. At the same time, the United States invested millions into Western Europe through the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan to halt the spread of Communism further west.
Learn more in the National U.S. History Content Standards
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945-1970s
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
1895
Birthplace
Fredericksburg
Death Date
1972
Occupation
Baptist Minister and Civil Rights Activist
Biographical Text
<p>The son of formerly enslaved parents in North Carolina, Beatrice Henry Hester (August 31, 1895–February 13, 1972) graduated from Biddle University (later Johnson C. Smith University), in Charlotte, North Carolina, before earning a divinity degree in 1921 from Virginia Union University, in Richmond. He accepted a call from Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), in Fredericksburg, and became its pastor shortly after his ordination in May 1922. An advocate for education and social justice, Rev. B. H. Hester organized evening literacy classes at Shiloh for adults so they could register to vote. For about a decade he taught and served as principal at Fredericksburg Normal and Industrial Institute (also known as Mayfield High School), a high school for African-American students who had few options locally beyond elementary school. He helped stabilize its finances and increased enrollment before the institute later became part of the local public school system.</p>
<p>A courageous pastor who challenged white supremacy despite potential danger to his family and church, Hester established the weekly <em>Shiloh Herald</em> in 1925 with the motto, "For all things beneficial and uplifting; against all things injurious and detrimental; neutral on nothing." In scathing editorials he excoriated white leaders over voter suppression, lack of educational opportunities, and violence against African Americans in Virginia and nationwide. He called out the Richmond<em> News Leader</em> for its use of offensive language and secured a promise from its editor that certain words would no longer appear in the newspaper. Locally, he opposed city practices that discriminated against Black Fredericksburg residents. Unwilling to accept an unjust society, Hester fought segregation and discrimination while empowering his congregation to do likewise. Despite his humble beginning, Hester's example continues to endure.</p>
<p><em>Nominated by Xavier R. Richardson, Spotsylvania County</em>.<br /><br /><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/strong-mw-2022">2022</a> Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree, Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy.</p>
Bibliography
Photograph courtesy of Photographic Archives, Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), Fredericksburg.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Rev. B. H. Hester
Subject
The topic of the resource
Strong Men and Women in Virginia History
Description
An account of the resource
Throughout his long career as a spiritual and community leader, Rev. B. H. Hester was a passionate advocate for the rights of African Americans.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2022 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History Honoree
Civil Rights and Reform
Religion
-
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Title
A name given to the resource
Expansion and Reform
Description
An account of the resource
Between 1800 and 1860, the United States underwent a period of increased territorial expansion, immigration, economic growth, and industrialization. At the same time as the nation was increasing in population and size, regional differences were becoming more and more pronounced, and politically confrontational. The idea of “Manifest Destiny” led to movements first across the Appalachians, then across the Mississippi, and finally with the goal of reaching the Pacific Ocean, encouraged by the Gold Rush. This expansion, however, did have some negative results, most notably, the removal of many Indian nations in the Southeast and old Northwest. While the Louisiana Purchase increased the size of the nation more or less peacefully, large amounts of square footage were also acquired through the America’s victory in the Mexican-American War.
Economic development, while increasing wealth and prosperity, also brought regional differences more sharply into focus. While the North began its path of Industrial Revolution, its increased urbanization and technological advancements separated it even further from an agrarian South. There was also a "transportation revolution" involving railroads, canals, and trans-regional roads, many times centered in the North. Slavery was also becoming a larger factor in the South, and would cause strife and political debate as new territory was added to the Union, particularly in the case of the Missouri Compromise and the Kansas–Nebraska Act which effectively repealed it. Despite expansion, free African Americans and women were still largely disenfranchised. Reforms movements occurred in bursts, setting the stage for post-Civil War major reforms.
Learn more in the National U.S. History Content Standards.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1800-1860
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
1780
Birthplace
Charles City County
Death Date
1828
Occupation
Baptist Minister and Settler of Liberia
Biographical Text
Lott Cary (ca. 1780–November 10, 1828) was born enslaved in Charles City County. Early details of his life are uncertain, although later biographies embellished various stories. In 1804, his owner hired him out to work in the tobacco warehouses of Richmond. There Cary experienced a religious conversion about 1807, became a lay preacher by 1815, and was later ordained a Baptist minister. About 1813 he had saved enough money by his labor to purchase his freedom and that of his two children by his first wife. <br /><br />Interested in mission work, he helped found the Richmond African Baptist Missionary Society in 1815. When the American Colonization Society announced plans to settle American freedpeople in West Africa, Cary decided to go. Several white Richmonders provided financial assistance for a group to sail in 1821. Cary was among the settlers who founded the town of Monrovia in the colony of Liberia, of which he was elected vice agent in 1826 and 1827. He established a joint stock company to improve Monrovia’s harbor and helped extend the colony’s territory. He served as the pastor of Providence Baptist Church and president of the Monrovia Baptist Missionary Society. While preparing munitions to defend the colony in November 1828, Cary was killed by an accidental gunpowder explosion. After his death, advocates of colonization used Lott Cary’s life story to promote the idea of a successful colony, making him one of the most famous black men of the early 19th century. <br /><br /><br /><span><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/strong-mw-2015" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2015</span></a></span><span> Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree, Library of Virginia and Dominion.</span><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://youtu.be/G93FFO1T2vQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch</a></span> Juanita Cary’s speech at the 2015 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History awards ceremony on February 4, 2015. Juanita Cary was representing honoree Lott Cary posthumously.
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of Virginia Baptist Historical Society.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Lott Cary
Subject
The topic of the resource
Strong Men and Women in Virginia History
Description
An account of the resource
Born into slavery, Lott Cary purchased his own freedom and became an early leader in the new West African colony of Liberia.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2015 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History Honoree
Community Leadership and Philanthropy
Religion
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Postwar United States
Description
An account of the resource
The era immediately following World War II brought about vast changes, not only in foreign policy, but in economics and a changing civic landscape. The liberalism of the New Deal era grew into movements towards increasing civil liberties and economic opportunities, particularly for minorities and women. Protests became more and more common to the average American as groups demanded equal rights and voting equality. These movements were juxtaposed with Jim Crow laws and the reemergence of the KKK, which showed the darker side of life in the American South.
The Cold War pitted the United States and its allies in the newly formed NATO against the ever-increasing and expanding Soviet Union and its fellow Communist regimes, particularly China, Korea and Vietnam. While this era is considered Postwar, it is in fact a move towards a new type of war, where campaigns are fought not only on the battleground, but in the political arena and social consciousness as well, fueled strongly by the increasing influence of television news. The fall of the Nazi regime opened the door to the Iron Curtain and Soviet dominance of Eastern Europe, and the defeat of Japan opened previously invaded lands to the chance to choose new leaders, many of whom sided with the tenants of Communism over those of Capitalism. The United States would spend much of this time period combating the “Domino Effect” to try and stem the spread of Communism, particularly in its own hemisphere with Cuba. At the same time, the United States invested millions into Western Europe through the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan to halt the spread of Communism further west.
Learn more in the National U.S. History Content Standards
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945-1970s
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
1929
Birthplace
Petersburg
Occupation
Civil Rights Actvisit
Biographical Text
Wyatt Tee Walker (August 16, 1929-January 23, 2018) graduated from Virginia Union University in Richmond in 1950 and from its Graduate School of Religion in 1953. From 1953 to 1960 he was pastor of Gillfield Baptist Church in Petersburg, where he became president of the local branch of the NAACP and was arrested for trying to borrow a book about Robert E. Lee from the Petersburg Public Library. <br /><br />Walker served as the first full-time executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 1960 to 1964. He played a major role in the Civil Rights movement and worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walker was arrested during a Freedom Riders protest in Birmingham in 1961 and helped organize the 1963 march on Washington. <br /><br />In 1966 Walker became pastor of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ, in Harlem, New York City. During the 1970s he advised the governor on urban affairs. In 1978 Walker organized the International Freedom Mobilization to protest apartheid in South Africa and later welcomed Nelson Mandela to his church in New York. Walker also studied African American church music and became a nationally recognized authority on the subject. He published more than a dozen books on religious and musical subjects and later took part in documenting the Civil Rights movement. After suffering a stroke in 2003 and retiring from his ministry, Walker returned to Virginia, where he lives in Chester and remains active in promoting Christian brotherhood. <br /><br />UPDATE: Walker died at his Chesterfield County home on January 23, 2018.<br /><br /><br /><span><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/strong-mw-2013" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2013</span></a></span><span> Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree, Library of Virginia and Dominion.</span>
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of Wyatt T. Walker.
Death Date
2018
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Wyatt Tee Walker
Subject
The topic of the resource
Strong Men and Women in Virginia History
Description
An account of the resource
A nationally celebrated Baptist minister, Wyatt Tee Walker was a pioneer in the Civil Rights movement.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2013 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History Honoree
Civil Rights and Reform
Religion
-
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0b6b26ff706eb5da6c2ffadc102a0f94
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Title
A name given to the resource
Development of the Industrial United States
Description
An account of the resource
From Reconstruction to the end of the 19th century, the United States went through a dramatic shift in its economic landscape. Industrialization changed not only the nature of business, but also brought technological advances and demand for an ever-increasing workforce. A rapid expansion of the power of big business was countered with the rise of labor movements, and often resulted in conflict, sometimes violent in nature. In contrast to the positive outcomes of technological developments, there were ecological effects not understood at the time, and unhealthy working conditions that often sparked big labor disputes and strikes. This shift was felt not only in the industrial big cities of the North and Midwest, but also in the realm of farming, where the United States was now put into the role of the world’s premier food producer.
This era is defined largely by unprecedented immigration and urbanization, both of which fed the industrial system. Immigrants, for the first time, were less and less likely to come from Western Europe, now coming from Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Mexico, and Central America. Along with the need for expanding educational systems, which were often structured to push assimilation, the rise in immigration also led to religious tensions as Protestantism was no longer the dominating faith of immigrants. At the same time as immigrants were flooding the ports of the United States, the government launched wars against the Plains Indians, forcing the “second great removal” and defining a federal Indian policy that would last for decades.
Learn more in the National U.S. History Content Standards.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1870-1900
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
1812
Birthplace
Richmond
Death Date
1901
Occupation
Baptist Minister
Biographical Text
The year 2012 marks the bicentennial of John Jasper (July 4, 1812–March 30, 1901), who was born into slavery in Fluvanna County. After being sent to Richmond to work in a tobacco factory, in 1839 he experienced a religious conversion in Capitol Square. A fellow slave helped him learn to read and write, and Jasper began studying the Bible. He soon became a well-known preacher and traveled around Virginia for twenty years, most often preaching funeral sermons for other slaves. He regularly traveled to Petersburg to lead services at Third Baptist Church. <br /><br />After the Civil War and emancipation, Jasper established Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, in Richmond. His dynamic leadership had attracted about 2,500 members by 1887, and the church served as a center of religious life in the Jackson Ward neighborhood. He established a Sunday school, and the church also provided social services to help the indigent, young, old, and infirm. <br /><br />In 1878 Jasper first delivered the sermon for which he became most famous, "The Sun Do Move" in which he expounded on his belief in the fundamental truth of the Bible and the power of God. His dramatic speaking style and vivid imagery attracted national attention, and he gave his sermon in cities throughout the eastern United States for many years. Jasper continued to preach at his church until a few days before his death at age eighty-eight. <br /><br /><br /><em>Nominated by Benjamin Ross, church historian, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, Richmond.</em><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/trailblazers-2012" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2012</a></span><span> African American Trailblazers honoree, Library of Virginia.</span><br />
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of the Library of Virginia.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
John Jasper
Subject
The topic of the resource
African American Trailblazers
Description
An account of the resource
An extraordinary orator who preached throughout the eastern United States, John Jasper in 1867 established Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, in Richmond.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2012 African American Trailblazers Honoree
Religion
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Expansion and Reform
Description
An account of the resource
Between 1800 and 1860, the United States underwent a period of increased territorial expansion, immigration, economic growth, and industrialization. At the same time as the nation was increasing in population and size, regional differences were becoming more and more pronounced, and politically confrontational. The idea of “Manifest Destiny” led to movements first across the Appalachians, then across the Mississippi, and finally with the goal of reaching the Pacific Ocean, encouraged by the Gold Rush. This expansion, however, did have some negative results, most notably, the removal of many Indian nations in the Southeast and old Northwest. While the Louisiana Purchase increased the size of the nation more or less peacefully, large amounts of square footage were also acquired through the America’s victory in the Mexican-American War.
Economic development, while increasing wealth and prosperity, also brought regional differences more sharply into focus. While the North began its path of Industrial Revolution, its increased urbanization and technological advancements separated it even further from an agrarian South. There was also a "transportation revolution" involving railroads, canals, and trans-regional roads, many times centered in the North. Slavery was also becoming a larger factor in the South, and would cause strife and political debate as new territory was added to the Union, particularly in the case of the Missouri Compromise and the Kansas–Nebraska Act which effectively repealed it. Despite expansion, free African Americans and women were still largely disenfranchised. Reforms movements occurred in bursts, setting the stage for post-Civil War major reforms.
Learn more in the National U.S. History Content Standards.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1800-1860
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
1804
Birthplace
Fredericksburg
Death Date
1867
Occupation
Author of an Emancipation Narrative
Biographical Text
Noah Davis (March 1804–April 7, 1867) was born into slavery in Madison County. He learned the boot- and shoemaker's trade in Fredericksburg, where he joined the Baptist Church in 1831 and was licensed to preach by white church officials. In 1845 Davis's owner agreed to free him for $500. After a fund-raising trip through northern states, Davis opened a cobbler's shop to earn the rest. In 1847 white Baptists in Baltimore offered him a job there as a missionary and to provide the balance of the $500. Leaving his family in Virginia, Davis secured his freedom and established what later became Saratoga Street African Baptist Church. <br /><br />Davis purchased freedom for his wife and their two youngest children in 1851 and several years later for another daughter and son who were in danger of being sold. When their other three enslaved children faced the auction block in 1858, Davis again toured the North to raise money and succeeded in freeing his daughter. Hoping to earn enough money to free his two sons and to provide funds for his struggling church, he published his memoirs, <em>A Narrative of the Life of Rev. Noah Davis, a Colored Man</em> (1859). In the eighty-six-page Narrative, Davis described his life in slavery, his religious conversion, his efforts to secure his family's freedom, and his work as a minister. Davis's health soon began to fail, possibly as a consequence of having worked tirelessly for almost fifteen years to raise more than $4,000 to rescue most of his family from slavery.<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/trailblazers-2012" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2012</a></span><span> African American Trailblazers honoree, Library of Virginia.</span>
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Noah Davis
Subject
The topic of the resource
African American Trailblazers
Description
An account of the resource
Born into slavery, Noah Davis raised more than $4,000 to free himself and his family members during the 1840s and 1850s.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2012 African American Trailblazers Honoree
Arts and Literature
Religion
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Revolution and the New Nation
Description
An account of the resource
The American Revolution is often considered one of the most crucial times of United States history to study, as it lays the groundwork for all political history following it. Not only did it end the colonial relationship with England, but it brought about political change that would not only shape our lives, but would serve as an example for other nations. It also called into question social and political relationships, raising questions of freedom and inalienable rights. Some of America’s most important documents and greatest political minds come from this era. The war itself also was Revolutionary, with successful guerilla-style fighting and the defeat by colonials of well-trained British military forces.
Following the war, the creation of the Constitution and the process of ratification shifted not only the style of government, but also the way in which governments functioned and an increased public investment. This process also called into question the balance of power between federal and state, an issue that would continue to be present in American Politics well after the Constitution of 1787 and the Bill of Rights were completed. Despite strong unity among many in the Revolution, economic, regional, social, ideological, religious, and political tensions did not fade, and in some cases, increased, as America sought to define itself.
Learn more in the National U.S. History Content Standards.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1754-1820s
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
1749
Birthplace
Saltville
Death Date
1825
Occupation
Methodist Lay Leader
Biographical Text
Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell (1749-1825) was compared favorably to her famous brother Patrick Henry, in part because she shared his unwavering drive and impressive oratorical skills. Born in Hanover County, she joined her first husband on the frontier of Southwest Virginia soon after their marriage in 1776. She kept busy, administering to sick and needy people. Soon after her husband's death, she remarried in 1781. In 1788 her family, which included her own children and stepchildren, moved to the present site of Saltville. That same year, Russell underwent a dramatic conversion to Methodism after attending a series of Methodist sermons. <br /><br />Embracing Methodism whole-heartedly, the Russells pledged their wealth to aid the church and influenced many people of the community to join. After her husband's death in 1793, Madame Russell, as she was known, increased her Methodist activism. She gave up her personal wealth but used the funds she had to support circuit riders and to pay to build churches. With a firm belief in God-given freedom for all people, she freed the slave that she owned. In 1812 she settled into a log cabin with a large room for holding religious meetings. Until her death, she hosted itinerant preachers and alerted community members whenever an impromptu service was to be held. When poor evangelists visited her, she bolstered them with food and clothing, as well as moral support and intellectual stimulation. The Madame Russell Methodist Church in Saltville is named in her honor.<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/va-women-2011" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2011</a></span> Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia.
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of The Library of Virginia.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell
Subject
The topic of the resource
Virginia Women In History
Description
An account of the resource
Setting a charitable example, Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell fostered the fledgling Methodist Church in southwestern Virginia as a devoted adherent and through material and compassionate support of the church.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2011 Virginia Women in History Honoree
Community Leadership and Philanthropy
Religion
-
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678996d2632d8bed976fbb9ed76a9828
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Revolution and the New Nation
Description
An account of the resource
The American Revolution is often considered one of the most crucial times of United States history to study, as it lays the groundwork for all political history following it. Not only did it end the colonial relationship with England, but it brought about political change that would not only shape our lives, but would serve as an example for other nations. It also called into question social and political relationships, raising questions of freedom and inalienable rights. Some of America’s most important documents and greatest political minds come from this era. The war itself also was Revolutionary, with successful guerilla-style fighting and the defeat by colonials of well-trained British military forces.
Following the war, the creation of the Constitution and the process of ratification shifted not only the style of government, but also the way in which governments functioned and an increased public investment. This process also called into question the balance of power between federal and state, an issue that would continue to be present in American Politics well after the Constitution of 1787 and the Bill of Rights were completed. Despite strong unity among many in the Revolution, economic, regional, social, ideological, religious, and political tensions did not fade, and in some cases, increased, as America sought to define itself.
Learn more in the National U.S. History Content Standards.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1754-1820s
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
Circa 1750
Birthplace
Williamsburg
Death Date
1807 or 1808
Occupation
Baptist Leader
Biographical Text
Gowan Pamphlet (ca. 1750-1807 or 1808) was born enslaved. While the details of his personal life are unknown, when he began preaching in the 1770s he was the property of a Williamsburg tavern keeper. At that time Pamphlet probably led a congregation of free and enslaved African Americans meeting in secret on the outskirts of the city. While he evidently avoided the more violent abuses sometimes meted out to black preachers then, Pamphlet was not immune to discrimination. Prejudice may have fueled accusations that he stole a horse in 1779 and that he participated in a slave revolt plot in 1793. Early in his career, the leading association of Baptist congregations in Virginia banned all preachers of color. Pamphlet ignored the decree. <br /><br />Pamphlet moved with his owner nearer to Richmond, the new capital, in 1786, but in a few years returned to Williamsburg with a new owner. In 1793 Pamphlet was freed. His deed of manumission was the first document to record his surname, and he probably choose the name Pamphlet at that time. That same year Pamphlet's Williamsburg congregation was received into the Dover Baptist Association, giving them a full endorsement as an active church. By 1805, Pamphlet owned land in Williamsburg and several acres outside the city. He continued to minister to his congregation, which at times numbered approximately 500 members, until his death.<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/trailblazers-2010" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2010</a></span> African American Trailblazers honoree, Library of Virginia.
Bibliography
Representative Image Courtesy of the Prints and Photographs Collection, Library of Congress. Detail from Broadside, "American Sketches: A Negro Congregation at Washington" (1876).
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Title
A name given to the resource
Gowan Pamphlet
Subject
The topic of the resource
African American Trailblazers
Description
An account of the resource
Gowan Pamphlet was born enslaved, but persevered to become a well-known preacher, gain his freedom, and establish a Baptist church in Williamsburg that continues as an active congregation today.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2010 Virginia Women in History Honoree
Religion
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https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/files/original/406348935bd2e7b62e9a489288447a13.jpg
e4abd48b94d41528495074663aecfc6d
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Title
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Civil War and Reconstruction
Description
An account of the resource
The Civil War was undoubtedly one of the most important events in American history. The war challenged not only the issue of slavery, but the also the balance of federal versus state powers and the power of constitutional government. In the end, not only did the war preserve the Union as Lincoln had spoken of, but it also freed nearly four million African Americans from slavery. The war also highlighted stark differences in regions of the country. These differences ranged from political to religious to economic. There were many cases of brother fighting brother, neighbor fighting neighbor, and men who had previously been in the United States military service choosing to fight for the Confederacy, most notably, Robert E. Lee. The war also saw an increase in battlefield news coverage and photography, along with the first assassination of an American President.
Following the war, the nation was faced with the problem of Reconstruction. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were aimed towards providing full equality for African Americans, but did face opposition on many levels. Despite headway, the North and the South both had strong objections to Radical Reconstruction and full social and racial democratization. Many Americans opposed the idea of redistributing wealth and were still in favor of strong local rights and government. In some cases, Reconstruction increased the racial divide, giving rise to movements such as the KKK.
Learn more in the National History Content Standards.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1850-1877
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
1839
Birthplace
King William County
Occupation
Pamunkey Leader and Unionist
Biographical Text
Caroline Bradby Cook (born ca. 1839), a resident of the Pamunkey Indian Reservation in King William County, was widowed in 1861, a few months after giving birth to her only child, George Major Cook. She and most of the other Pamunkey remained loyal to the United States during the Civil War, and her brothers and other relatives guided United States Army units in eastern Virginia and served as river pilots. When the Union army encamped at the Indian town, she cooked and washed for the soldiers even as they systematically dismantled her house and fences and burned the wood in their campfires. <br /><br />After the war Cook went to the county court in order to take out letters of administration on the estate of her husband, Major Cook. Pamunkey Indians did not own the real estate on the reservation land, but as a widow she inherited the house and fence that the soldiers had destroyed. Cook filed a claim with the Southern Claims Commission for compensation from the United States government for her ruined property. In rebuilding her house and fence, she carefully counted the posts and pickets in order to apply for compensation for no more than she was entitled to. Cook received $100 in 1879. She was a founding member of the Pamunkey Baptist Church, organized in April 1865. Her son, whom she raised with the help of her relatives, served as chief of the Pamunkey from 1902 until his death in 1930. He championed the rights of Virginia's Indians when their cultural heritage and even legal existence were being challenged. The last known reference to Caroline Bradby Cook in public records is the 1910 census, which recorded that she was then living in the house of her son the chief.<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/va-women-2009" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2009</a></span> Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia.
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of The National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution.
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Title
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Caroline Bradby Cook
Subject
The topic of the resource
Virginia Women In History
Description
An account of the resource
A Unionist during the Civil War, Caroline Bradby Cook protected, preserved, and passed on the Pamunkey heritage.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2009 Virginia Women in History Honoree
Community Leadership and Philanthropy
Religion
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https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/files/original/c9ebe5da2c08222acbfcf81316237096.jpg
303e864fd4d25745a0a512a96712d548
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Title
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Contemporary United States
Description
An account of the resource
This era is, in large part, a study of the United States as a global power – politically, economically and militarily. The detente with the Communist China under Nixon begins a shift in our “Domino Theory” in Asia. The collapse of the Soviet Union, the overthrow of communist governments in Eastern Europe, and the end of the Cold War and the nuclear arms race also changed how the United States interacted with Europe. At the same time, intervention and actions increased in our own hemisphere and in the Middle East. Terrorism also became a driving force behind foreign policy.
Politically, there was a shift away from liberalism for much of this time period. Political scandals such as Watergate and Iran-Contra were treated differently than previous scandals, thanks in large part to an increase in television coverage. The governmental role in the economy, environmental protection, social welfare, and more shifted greatly during this time period and that role, and its scope, are still being debated today.
Socially, this time period saw for the first time immigration primarily from Asia and Central America. A new wave of reform movements promoted environmental, feminist, and civil rights agendas. There was also a resurgence of religious evangelicalism. Technological advances once again redefined not only the economic landscape of America, but also the lives of everyday citizens.
Learn more in the National U.S. History Content Standards.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1968-Present
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
1924
Birthplace
Richmond
Death Date
2007
Occupation
Presbyterian Educator
Biographical Text
Born in Tallahassee, Florida, Isabel Wood Rogers (August 26, 1924–March 18, 2007) was a leader in expanding the role of women in the Presbyterian Church. After graduating from Florida State College for Women (later Florida State University), she received a master's degree in political science from the University of Virginia and then a Ph.D. in theology and ethics from Duke University. She also received a master's degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (PSCE) in Richmond. Rogers served Georgia State College for Women from 1949 to 1961, first as chaplain and then as director of religious affairs, before returning to Richmond to teach applied Christianity at PSCE (later Union Theological Seminary–PSCE) until her retirement in 1998. She wrote five books that explored how Christians live in the modern world. <br /><br />Known to her colleagues and students as Dr. Izzie, Rogers was an energetic, outstanding teacher who encouraged her students and colleagues to pursue the quest for justice, including the ethical treatment of all people and full participation of women in the church and in society. A confirmed environmentalist, she advocated responsible stewardship of the earth. In 1987 Rogers was elected moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), its highest elected office. Her role as moderator, she believed, was to encourage questions, to get people "to think for themselves, to forge their own faith." She received honorary degrees from several colleges as well as awards for her work as an educator and in the Presbyterian Church. In 1986 the YWCA recognized her as one of "Richmond's Outstanding Women."<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/va-women-2008" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2008</a></span> Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia.
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of the William Smith Morton Library (Union Theological Seminary–PSCE).
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Isabel Wood Rogers
Subject
The topic of the resource
Virginia Women In History
Description
An account of the resource
As an educator and author, Isabel Wood Rogers advocated that Christians take an active and responsible interest in the secular world.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2008 Virginia Women in History Honoree
Arts and Literature
Education
Religion