2
10
25
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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
1928
Birthplace
Alexandria
Death Date
2015
Occupation
Basketball Pioneer
Biographical Text
Growing up in a racially segregated neighborhood in Alexandria, Earl Lloyd was a basketball standout at the city’s Parker-Gray High School and became a star at West Virginia State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1950. That year the National Basketball Association’s Washington Capitols signed Lloyd. On Halloween night, he became the first African-American athlete to play in an NBA game, scoring six points in a loss to the Rochester Royals. A week later he was ordered by the Army to report for duty only 16 days into his professional career. The Capitols folded during his military service and the Syracuse Nationals (later the Philadelphia 76ers) purchased Lloyd’s contract. He returned to the NBA in 1952, where he built a reputation for his tough-as-nails defense and rebounding. Lloyd and a teammate became the first African Americans to win the NBA title when the Nationals captured it in 1955. <br /><br />During the 1957–1958 season he took over the team’s coaching duties when the head coach was ejected from a few games. Lloyd ended his playing career in 1960 with the Detroit Pistons, for whom he was the NBA’s first African-American assistant coach. He became the league’s fourth black head coach in 1971. He later worked as an automotive executive and for the Detroit Board of Education. For his contributions to the sport, Lloyd was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. <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 /><a href="http://youtu.be/L6S-oX-SFWc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Watch</span></a> Earl Francis Lloyd’s speech at the 2015 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History awards ceremony on February 4, 2015.<br /><br />UPDATE: Earl Francis Lloyd died on February 26, 2015.
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of Earl Francis Lloyd.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Earl Francis Lloyd
Subject
The topic of the resource
Strong Men and Women in Virginia History
Description
An account of the resource
Earl Lloyd was the first African American to play in the NBA and the league’s first African-American assistant coach.
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
Sports and Media
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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
The Great Depression and World War II
Description
An account of the resource
Along with events such as the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression helped to shape modern-day America. The circumstances of the Great Depression enlarged the role of the government in the everyday life of Americans, particularly through FDR's New Deal initiative.
World War II helped not only to bring the nation out of the Depression, but also put the United States on the world stage as a leader. Unlike previous administrations who subscribed to a certain level of isolationism, both FDR and Truman placed the United States on a path to strong involvement and leadership in worldwide conflicts and reform movements. Additionally, World War II changed the role of women who went into the workforce as American men went to war. Events such as the bombing at Pearl Harbor, liberation of concentration camps, and the use of atomic bombs provide images and stories that have helped to shape future American foreign policy.
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
1929-1945
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
1902
Birthplace
Arlington
Death Date
2004
Occupation
Public Television Pioneer
Biographical Text
The daughter of a Moravian minister, Elizabeth Pfohl Campbell (December 4, 1902–January 9, 2004) turned to a career in education when she was unable to enter the ministry since the Moravian church admitted only men. After earning a bachelor's degree from Salem College, in North Carolina, and a master's degree from Columbia University, she worked as dean of women at Moravian Seminary and College for Women, in Pennsylvania, and at Mary Baldwin College (later Mary Baldwin University), in Staunton. After her 1936 marriage she moved to Arlington, where she became an advocate for the public schools. <br /><br />Campbell won election to the Arlington County School Board in 1947 and was reelected in 1951, serving for eight years, part of the time as chair. In addition to working to improve the quality of the public schools, she boldly proposed to begin desegregating the school system after the Supreme Court's 1954 and 1955 <em>Brown v. Board of Education</em> decisions. The state adopted a policy of Massive Resistance to desegregation and stripped from Arlington residents the right to elect their own school board members. Campbell lost her seat on the school board in 1955, but served another term from 1960 to 1963. <br /><br />While on the school board she began working to use television as an instructional tool and took part in founding WETA in 1953, the first educational television station in the Washington, D.C., area. As longtime president of the Arlington-based Greater Washington Educational Television Association, she developed it into one of the most-successful public broadcasting companies in the United States, and WETA became one of the major producers of programs for the Public Broadcasting System.<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/va-women-2001" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2001</a></span><span> Virginia Women in History honoree, Virginia Foundation for Women and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.</span>
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of WETA.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Elizabeth Pfohl Campbell
Subject
The topic of the resource
Virginia Women In History
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2001 Virginia Women in History Honoree
Description
An account of the resource
Elizabeth Pfohl Campbell's belief in the value of education and the power of public broadcasting led her to help create the successful public educational television station, WETA.
Community Leadership and Philanthropy
Sports and Media
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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
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
1952
Birthplace
Albemarle County
Occupation
Basketball Coach and Cancer Treatment Advocate
Biographical Text
Raised in New Jersey, Debbie Ryan graduated from Pennsylvania’s Ursinus College in 1975. She then arrived at the University of Virginia, serving as an assistant coach for the women's basketball and field hockey teams. In 1977 she became the basketball squad's head coach, seven years after the university became fully coeducational, armed with only one scholarship split between two players. <br /><br />Ryan pushed hard for better facilities and resources. The Cavaliers reached postseason play for the first time in her third season. Ryan's teams reeled off eleven consecutive appearances in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen from 1987 to 1997, including three straight Final Four appearances. Ryan earned national coach of the year honors for the 1990–1991 season, when the Cavaliers racked up a 31–3 record and reached the NCAA final. She compiled a total of twenty-three seasons with at least twenty wins. <br /><br />In August 2000, Ryan learned that she was suffering from pancreatic cancer, a disease with a survival rate under 10 percent. She became friends with Virginia state senator Emily Couric when both underwent treatment, and they focused on how they would design a patient-care facility and raise funds. Remarkably, Ryan finished treatment in six weeks. After Couric's death, Ryan continued to campaign for the facility they envisioned, and the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center was dedicated in 2011. That same year Ryan retired from coaching with 739 wins, then the tenth-highest number of all-time victories in NCAA women's basketball. The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inducted Ryan in 2008.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/va-women-2014" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2014</span></a> <span>Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia.</span>
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of Virginia Media Relations
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Deborah A. "Debbie" Ryan
Subject
The topic of the resource
Virginia Women In History
Description
An account of the resource
Debbie Ryan turned the University of Virginia women's basketball team into a national power and currently campaigns for research into pancreatic cancer.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014 Virginia Women in History Honoree
Science and Medicine
Sports and Media
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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
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
1961
Birthplace
Haymarket
Occupation
Media Executive and Olympic Gold Medalist
Biographical Text
The second woman and the first African-American to win an Olympic gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley is today a highly visible telecommunications executive. Born in Warrenton, she grew up in nearby Dale City, where at an early age she began to excel in both sports and academics. Her accomplishments in track and field competitions won her induction into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame and a full athletic scholarship to the University of Tennessee, where she earned a B.S. in industrial engineering. While at Tennessee, she was a fifteen-time All-American and won four National Collegiate Athletic Association titles, including three 100- meter hurdles outdoor championships. Moseley qualified as a member of the 1980 and the 1984 U.S. Olympic Teams and won her history-making gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles games. Mosley has been inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Tennessee's Lady Volunteers Hall of Fame. <br /><br />Early in the 1990s Mosley turned from competition to sports marketing and administration. She served as a regional director for Special Olympics International in Washington, D.C., as program director for the marketing division of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, and as director located in Colorado of the four Olympic training centers in the United States. She has been president of the board of the Women's Sports Foundation and is a staunch advocate for expanding opportunities for young women in sports and fitness education. In 2001 the nonprofit Women in Cable and Telecommunications, a 4,500-member association based in Chantilly, Virginia, appointed Mosley as its president and chief operating officer. In 2004 <em>Television Week Magazine</em> named her Cable Television Executive of the Year.<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/va-women-2006" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2006</a></span> Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia and Virginia Foundation for Women.
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of Women in Cable
and Telecommunications
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
Benita Fitzgerald Mosley
Subject
The topic of the resource
Virginia Women In History
Description
An account of the resource
A track star and Olympic champion, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley serves as president and CEO of Women in Cable and Telecommunications and works to expand opportunities for young women in sports.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2006 Virginia Women in History
Business and Entrepreneurship
Sports and Media
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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
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
1949
Birthplace
Hampton
Occupation
Mathematician
Biographical Text
An innovative media executive and entrepreneur, Sheila Crump Johnson (born 1949) grew up in Maywood, Illinois. After receiving a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Illinois, she taught music and perfected her skill on the violin. As a cultural liaison to the Middle East for the U.S. Information Agency, she helped establish the National Music Conservatory of Jordan. <br /><br />In 1980 Johnson cofounded Black Entertainment Television, the first station focused on the needs, interests, and culture of African Americans. In addition to initiating successful programming for adult audiences, she created <em>Teen Summit</em>, a weekly show that allowed teenagers to talk candidly about important issues in their lives. Since selling her interest in BET in 2000, Johnson has focused on numerous real estate and business opportunities near Salamander Farm, her 200-acre property in Middleburg. She is president of the Washington Mystics, a Women's National Basketball Association team, and also owns minority shares of the Washington Capitals and the Washington Wizards. She is a photographer and has designed a line of luxury linens. <br /><br />Johnson has become one of the nation's most notable philanthropists, particularly in education and the arts. She has made major gifts to the United Negro College Fund, the Hill School in Middleburg, Howard University, the Levine School of Music, and the Parsons School of Design. In 2002 her generous contributions established the Sheila Crump Johnson Institute at the State University of New York at Morrisville, which supports diversity and character building for students and the college community. Johnson's leadership and her commitment to sharing the fruits of her success with others have brought her many honors, including recognition in 2006 by the <em>Dallas Morning News</em> as one of the nation's most distinguished women leaders.<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/va-women-2007" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2007</a></span> Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia.
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of Shelia Crump Johnson
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Sheila Crump Johnson
Subject
The topic of the resource
Virginia Women In History
Description
An account of the resource
A cofounder of Black Entertainment Television, Sheila Crump Johnson is a dynamic philanthropist who supports education and the arts.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2007 Virginia Women in History Honoree
Business and Entrepreneurship
Community Leadership and Philanthropy
Sports and Media
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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
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
1947
Birthplace
Roanoke
Occupation
News Correspondent
Biographical Text
Born in Chicago, Ann Compton graduated from Hollins College and began her news career as the first woman reporter at Roanoke’s WDBJ television station. Making her mark covering state politics in Richmond, she left in 1973 to become a staff reporter for ABC News in New York. The following year she became the first female correspondent, and one of the youngest, assigned to the White House on a full-time basis. <br /><br />Compton has covered each president from Gerald Ford to Barack Obama, while also reporting on presidential campaigns and political conventions and twice sitting as a panelist on presidential debates. She was the sole broadcast reporter allowed to remain on Air Force One as the president flew across the country on September 11, 2001, for which she and her production team won Emmy and Peabody awards. <br /><br />Honored many times for her accomplishments, Compton has been elected to the Journalism Hall of Fame (2000), the Radio Hall of Fame (2005), and the Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association Hall of Fame (2012) and served as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association. In recent years she has served as a national correspondent for ABC’s online and radio news outlets. Compton is a popular speaker who provides firsthand insights into White House politics and the presidents she has covered.<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/va-women-2013" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2013</a></span> <span>Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia.</span>
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of ABC News.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Ann Compton
Subject
The topic of the resource
Virginia Women In History
Description
An account of the resource
An award-winning journalist, Ann Compton broke new ground as the first woman White House correspondent for a national news organization.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2013 Virginia Women in History Honoree
Sports and Media
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Dublin Core
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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
1929
Birthplace
Salem
Death Date
2015
Occupation
Photojournalist
Biographical Text
Growing up in Salem, Betty Masters (October 8, 1929–June 24, 2015) helped her father develop photographs in his darkroom. She fostered her love of photography at Roanoke College, where she enrolled in a class taught by her father and was one of the staff photographers for the school's yearbook before earning her BA in classics in 1949. Two years later the <em>Roanoke World-News</em> (later the <em>Roanoke Times and World News</em>) hired Masters as its first female photographer. She was soon recognized for the quality of her work, and in 1955 she became the first female judge for the annual News Photo Contest of the White House News Photographers Association, which did not then accept women as members. <br /><br />A skilled photographer, Masters documented life in the Roanoke Valley, including presidential visits, sports events, hurricanes, and poverty in the Appalachian region. She won awards in the Virginia Press Photographers Association's annual contests throughout her career, and in 1957 her work took first place in the University of Richmond's Outstanding Photo Series of the Year. She served multiple terms as secretary of the Virginia Press Photographers Association (later the Virginia News Photographers Association) and was the first woman to serve as its president in 1954–1955. As a result of her professional accomplishments, Masters achieved equal pay for her work before she retired from the Roanoke Times in 1992. She remained active at Salem Baptist Church, where she became the congregation's first female deacon.<br /><br /><br /><span><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/va-women-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2016</span></a> Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia.</span>
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of Wayne Clark.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Elizabeth Lee "Betty" Masters
Subject
The topic of the resource
Virginia Women In History
Description
An account of the resource
A trailblazer for women in the field of photojournalism, Betty Masters was the first female photographer hired by the <em>Roanoke Times</em>.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016 Virginia Women in History Honoree
Sports and Media
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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
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
1943
Birthplace
Richmond
Death Date
1993
Occupation
Tennis Player, Writer, and Humanitarian
Biographical Text
A champion of human dignity around the world, Arthur Robert Ashe (July 10, 1943-February 6, 1993) overcame the discrimination he faced growing up in Richmond to become a top-ranked tennis player and acclaimed author. Ashe learned tennis from coaches in Richmond and Lynchburg. In spite of being barred from many local and regional tournaments, which excluded African American players, he won national youth titles in 1960 and 1961. A successful collegiate career at UCLA and selection as the first African American player on the U.S. Davis Cup team cemented his status as one of the world’s best amateurs. Ashe won the U.S. Open in 1968 and, after turning professional the following year, thirty-three pro titles, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon. After his retirement from playing, he coached the U.S. Davis Cup team to two titles. <br /><br />Ashe advanced the rights of blacks in America and throughout the world. His dignified approach to tennis and to life served to rebut negative stereotypes. With forceful rhetoric he decried the conditions faced by many blacks in the United States and protested the apartheid regime in South Africa. Ashe’s interest in education spurred him to write a history of African American athletes, <em>A Hard Road to Glory</em> (1988). A television documentary based on the book won him an Emmy award. <br /><br />Heart problems forced Ashe to undergo two surgeries, the latter of which required a blood transfusion. Serving as chairman of the American Heart Association in 1981, he added health advocacy to his list of public commitments. When it was revealed that through the transfusion he had acquired HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, he campaigned for those suffering from the disease. His humanitarian legacy has included the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health and the Arthur Ashe Program in AIDS Care. <br /><br />Because of the bigotry he had experienced, Ashe was long estranged from Richmond and Virginia. Eventually he reestablished ties and created a mentoring program called Virginia Heroes. Richmond honored him with a statue on its Monument Avenue, previously renowned for celebrations of eminent Confederates.<br /><br /><br /><span><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/trailblazers-2007" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2007</span></a></span><span> African American Trailblazers honoree, Library of Virginia.</span>
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of the Library of Virginia.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Arthur Robert Ashe
Subject
The topic of the resource
African American Trailblazers
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2007 African American Trailblazers Honoree
Description
An account of the resource
Tennis champion Arthur Ashe was an advocate for human dignity around the world.
Civil Rights and Reform
Sports and Media
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Dublin Core
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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
1921
Birthplace
Danville
Death Date
1990
Occupation
Stock Car Driver
Biographical Text
<p>Wendell Scott was a taxi driver, an Army mechanic during World War II, and a moonshine runner before he began racing professionally. Promoters at the Danville raceway approached Scott in 1952 about racing there with hopes of increasing African-American attendance at their events. He finished third and started racing on the Virginia circuit, where he became a popular driver despite the racism he faced on the track. In 1959, Scott won the Sportsman Division championship at Richmond's Southside Speedway and NASCAR's Virginia State Sportsman Championship. He moved into NASCAR's major division in 1961.</p>
<p>During 13 seasons, Scott raced in 495 NASCAR Grand National (later Cup Series) events with 147 top-ten finishes, all as an independent, unsponsored driver. He won one checkered flag, in Jacksonville, Florida, on December 1, 1963, but was denied the opportunity to publicly celebrate his only Grand National victory when officials scored him a lap down and in second place. He contested the decision and hours later NASCAR overturned the ruling, citing a scoring error. Although Scott never accepted the explanation, he handled the slight with dignity, as he did in numerous other instances of discrimination that he faced in his personal and professional life.</p>
<p>A racing accident in Alabama forced Scott to retire from competition in 1973. His path-breaking career was not fully recognized until after his death, and he was posthumously named to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1999), the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame (2000) and the NASCAR Hall of Fame (2015). The Wendell Scott Foundation honors his memory by providing educational opportunities for at-risk youth and addressing economic inequalities in African-American communities.</p>
<br /><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/strong-mw-2023">2023</a> Strong Men and Women in Virginia History honoree, Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/trailblazers-2011" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2011</a></span><span> African American Trailblazers honoree, Library of Virginia.</span>
Bibliography
Photograph courtesy of the Wendell Scott Foundation.
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Title
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Wendell Scott
Subject
The topic of the resource
Strong Men and Women in Virginia History
Description
An account of the resource
Wendell Scott endured racism on and off the track to become the first African American to win at the highest level of stock car racing.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2023 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History Honoree
Sports and Media
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Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Great Depression and World War II
Description
An account of the resource
Along with events such as the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression helped to shape modern-day America. The circumstances of the Great Depression enlarged the role of the government in the everyday life of Americans, particularly through FDR's New Deal initiative.
World War II helped not only to bring the nation out of the Depression, but also put the United States on the world stage as a leader. Unlike previous administrations who subscribed to a certain level of isolationism, both FDR and Truman placed the United States on a path to strong involvement and leadership in worldwide conflicts and reform movements. Additionally, World War II changed the role of women who went into the workforce as American men went to war. Events such as the bombing at Pearl Harbor, liberation of concentration camps, and the use of atomic bombs provide images and stories that have helped to shape future American foreign policy.
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
1929-1945
Person
An individual.
Birth Date
1899
Birthplace
Lynchburg
Death Date
1971
Occupation
Physician and Tennis Coach
Biographical Text
Following a college career playing football at Pennsylvania's Lincoln University as a Negro All-American, Robert Walter "Whirlwind" Johnson (April 16, 1899-June 28, 1971) coached football for four seasons in Virginia and Texas before entering Meharry Medical College, in Nashville, Tennessee. After completing his studies, Johnson established a medical practice in Lynchburg, where he became the first African American to receive obstetrical privileges at Lynchburg General Hospital. His perseverance and advocacy opened the door for other minorities following in his footsteps. <br /><br />In Lynchburg, Johnson discovered and fell in love with tennis. Because he came to the sport too late to establish himself as a top singles athlete, he instead dedicated himself to doubles play and to discovering and coaching younger talent. Johnson formed the Junior Development Program of the American Tennis Association, a program through which he invited dozens of young African American tennis players to learn and train at his personal courts. Through this program Johnson discovered and mentored several successful professional tennis players, most notably Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, the first two African American Grand Slam champions. <br /><br />In 1972 the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inducted Johnson. He was also inducted into the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Hall of Fame in 1988 and the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009. Johnson's personal accolades included being named an NAACP Life Membership chairman and a recipient of the Spiro T. Agnew Honorary Citizenship Award. The Dr. Robert Walter Johnson Home and Tennis Court were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. <br /><br /><br /><em>Nominated by Leo Goldman IV, in Susan Bayne’s kindergarten class (2009–2010), J. G. Hening Elementary School, Richmond.<br /><br /></em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/trailblazers-2011" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2011</a></span><span> African American Trailblazers honoree, Library of Virginia.</span>
Bibliography
Image Courtesy of Robert W. Johnson III.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Robert Walter Johnson
Subject
The topic of the resource
African American Trailblazers
Description
An account of the resource
Robert Walter Johnson was a driving force behind the integration of the sport of tennis.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2011 African American Trailblazers Honoree
Science and Medicine
Sports and Media