Black Women’s History Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Black Women's History Month

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has been profoundly shaped by the contributions of Black women whose courage and achievements have advanced civil rights, education, science, the arts, and community empowerment; and

WHEREAS, trailblazers such as Maggie L. Walker, the first Black woman in the United States to charter and lead a bank, demonstrated extraordinary leadership in business, civic engagement, and advocacy for economic independence; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Johns, a Virginia teenager whose courageous 1951 student-led strike against school segregation helped lay the foundation for Brown v. Board of Education, stands as a national symbol of youth leadership and the fight for educational equality; and

WHEREAS, Mary Jackson, a Hampton native and one of NASA's first Black female engineers, broke barriers in science and engineering and contributed to the nation's advancements in space exploration; and

WHEREAS, Ella Fitzgerald, born in Newport News, rose to international acclaim as one of the most influential vocalists in American history, enriching the cultural heritage of both Virginia and the world; and

WHEREAS, Senator Yvonne B. Miller, the first Black woman to serve in the Virginia General Assembly, made history through decades of public service as she championed education, civil rights, and equitable opportunities for all Virginians; and

WHEREAS, countless other Black women-educators, activists, artists, entrepreneurs, public servants, and community leaders-have strengthened the Commonwealth through their achievements, service, and perseverance; and

WHEREAS, Black Women's History Month provides an opportunity to honor these contributions, to recognize the unique challenges Black women continue to face, and to celebrate their essential role in building a more just and inclusive future;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, do hereby recognize April 2026, as BLACK WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and encourage all Virginians to celebrate the accomplishments of Black women, learn from their stories, and support efforts that advance opportunity, equity, and empowerment for all.