League of Women Voters - Fairfax Area

01/18/2022

Perspective | How a teenager got more women of color added to history lessons in one of the country’s largest school systems

Thomas Jefferson HS junior Prasidha Padmanabhan, like most people, had been taught about Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Susan B. Anthony. But she couldn’t recall learning about what women did during the Civil War or during other notable periods. So she went to work to change that.

Read her story in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/01/15/women-history-teenager-schools#

Maya Angelou and other remarkable women will appear on U.S. quarters, but the work isn’t done.

01/18/2022

Bertha Pitts Campbell, suffragette and civil rights activist.

Born in Winfield, Kansas, in 1889, to Hubbard and Ida Butler Pitts, Bertha Pitts moved with her family to Montrose, Colorado, when she was an infant. The Pitts family lived at 509 S. Second Street with Bertha’s grandmother, Eliza Butler, a former slave. Eliza, who washed laundry for the residents of Montrose, implored Bertha to further her education in order to expand her prospects. Bertha took her advice and graduated from Montrose High School in 1908 as class valedictorian. She was the first black student to graduate there. Bertha was offered a four-year scholarship to Colorado College, but chose instead to attend the historically Black college Howard University in Washington, D.C.

At Howard, Bertha became involved in the women’s suffrage movement. She was also one of twenty-two students who co-founded the Delta Sigma Theta sorority in 1913. The sorority’s purpose was (and still is) “to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to those in need.” In an interview with Paula Giddings, Bertha said “We wanted to change some ideas. We were more oriented to service than to socialize.”

Delta Sigma Theta’s first public act was to take part in the huge suffrage parade in Washington, D.C., that took place on the eve of Woodrow Wilson’s presidential inauguration in March 1913. Bertha and the other members of the sorority proudly marched with their sorority banners held aloft, but in keeping with the racism of the time, as members of an African-American organization, they were sent to the back of the parade to march with the other Black suffragists.

In spite of the racism –– as well as the sexism –– of many of the onlookers, Bertha was proud of her participation in the procession. “Some cheered, however, many jeered and tried to disrupt the marchers by throwing things, spitting on, beating and slapping the women, and trying to pull the women off the floats,” Campbell recalled to her biographer, Pauline Hill in “Too Young to be Old: The Story of Bertha Pitts Campbell.” But when the women made it to the end of the procession, it was one of the proudest moments of their lives, and one Bertha remembered always. In 1981, when she was 92, Bertha led 10,000 members of Delta Sigma Theta down Pennsylvania Avenue to commemorate the 1913 march.

She graduated from Howard University in 1913, began teaching in Kansas, and married Earl Allen Campbell (1893–1954), a railroad worker, in Mesa County, Colorado, in 1917. They stayed in Western Colorado and Kansas for a few years, and in 1923, Earl and Bertha moved to Seattle, Washington, hoping for better opportunities.

Bertha and Earl both found a good life in Seattle. Earl worked for the U.S. Immigration Service until his death of a heart attack in 1954. Bertha found her place as a community activist and organizer. She worked at food banks during the Depression, helped found Christian Friends for Racial Equality, and was an early board member of the Seattle Urban League. As she told her biographer, life had taught her about “education being a gateway to everything.” Just as her grandmother in Montrose had helped her, Bertha was committed to helping expand the educational and housing opportunities for minorities living in Seattle.

Bertha received many accolades and honors in her adopted home. The Washington State House of Representatives honored her for her life and work on May 11, 1987. The following month, the City of Seattle proclaimed June 13, 1987, as Bertha Pitts Campbell Day. On her 100th birthday the King County Council declared it to be Bertha Pitts Campbell Day. Quite an achievement for the little girl from Montrose.

Bertha died in Seattle in 1990, at the age of 100.

In this photo, taken circa 1913 at Howard University, Bertha Pitts Campbell, right, is posing with her friend Bertha M. Fitts. Photo courtesy Washington State Archives. (I have not been able to find biographical information about Bertha M. Fitts; if I discover any details about her I will amend them to the post.)

01/17/2022

I set out to photograph 21 women voting rights activists. Here’s what they taught me.

I set out to photograph 21 women voting rights activists. Here’s what they taught me.

Many women are at the forefront of the fight for equal voting rights; I photographed nearly two dozen of them.

01/17/2022

01/14/2022

Four simple practices to keeping discourse civil.

01/13/2022

Perspective | In 1915, a U.S. congressman tallied how many women in D.C. read the newspaper, then rejected their right to vote

Perspective | In 1915, a U.S. congressman tallied how many women in D.C. read the newspaper, then rejected their right to vote

District women were "beautiful," said Ohio's Stanley Bowdle, "but they are not interested in affairs of state."

01/13/2022

Alice Paul

Alice Paul

Brief life of a pioneering suffragist: 1885-1977

01/11/2022

American Women Quarters Program | U.S. Mint

Did you hear about the U.S. Mint's program to honor women? The first woman on a quarter will be Maya Angelou. Click the link for details.

The 2022-2025 American Women Quarters™ Program celebrates the contributions made by women to the development and history of the U.S.

01/08/2022

If you have not already done so, please consider clearing around your nearest fire hydrant. Snow plows can sometime inadvertently cover the fire hydrants with additional snow making access difficult for firefighters. #FCFRD #FFXsnow

01/08/2022

Timeline photos

As we continue to see a high level of community transmission of COVID-19, please continue to wear a mask in public indoor spaces, even if you have been vaccinated.

Masking is most effective when worn consistently and correctly – and when combined with other layers of prevention. Here are some reminders for choosing the right mask and for making sure it is well-fitted: https://bit.ly/3JGCWl7

01/07/2022

vpap.org

Would you like to know if your Delegate, State Senator, or member of Congress might change according to the newly-drawn maps? Simply enter your address into the VPAP website and find out...

Your Window into Virginia Politics

12/27/2021

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civil rights advocate Madam C.J. Walker -- who famously became the first female self-made millionaire in America -- was born on this day in 1867. Born as Sarah Breedlove in Delta, Louisiana, Walker was the first child in her family born into freedom following the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation; Walker's parents and elder siblings had been slaves on the Madison Parish plantation. Orphaned by age 7, Walker was married and then widowed by the time she was 20.

Seeking more opportunities for herself and her young daughter, Walker moved to St. Louis where she began experimenting with home remedies to treat scalp diseases. Due to a widespread lack of indoor plumbing and infrequent bathing, many people at the time, including Walker, suffered from scalp diseases and hair loss. Over time, she developed her own line of hair products especially designed to meet the needs of black women and founded the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company.

To promote her hair products, she embarked on a sales drive throughout the South, holding demonstrations and selling her goods door to door. In 1908, she opened a college in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to train "hair culturists." Within two years, she moved to Indianapolis to set up her national headquarters and began training other African American women in setting up their own businesses, often as licensed Walker Agents selling her line of hair care products. At its peak, her company employed over 3,000 people.

Walker was active in the social and political issues of the day, including joining leaders of the NAACP in their efforts to make lynching a federal crime. She also made many financial contributions to help support African American schools, organizations, orphanages, and retirement homes, among them the largest contribution to preserve the Washington, DC home of the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

By the time of her death at age 51, this pioneering businesswoman had become the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire. Well-known for both her diligence and perseverance, Walker once stated, "There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it - for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard."

For an inspiring book to introduce young readers to Walker's incredible life story, we recommend "Vision of Beauty: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker" for ages 7 to 10 at https://www.amightygirl.com/vision-of-beauty

Older teen and adult readers can learn more about Walker's life in two biographies: "On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker" (http://amzn.to/1FpmjTu) and "The Black Rose" (http://amzn.to/1xSCo1J).

For readers ages 12 and up, Walker and her daughter are featured in a book of poems about famous women and their daughters, "Borrowed Names" at https://www.amightygirl.com/borrowed-names

She is also one of 21 pioneering women featured in the fascinating book "She Did It! 21 Women Who Changed the Way We Think" for ages 10 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/she-did-it

For children's books about more trailblazing African-American women, visit our blog post "75 Books about Extraordinary Black Mighty Girls and Women" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14276

12/27/2021

Photos from Moms Demand Action - VA's post

12/27/2021

Votes for Women Christmas Card, circa 1910.

This suffrage themed Christmas card was designed by English artist Mary Lowndes (1857-1929), who founded the Suffrage Artists’ League in 1907. The League designed banners for marches and rallies, posters, leaflets, postcards, and Christmas cards, all in support of the suffrage cause.

In this card, Santa Claus is carrying a gift bag filled with Votes. He is surrounded by eager children, one of whom asks, “Shan’t we give the Girls some this time?”

12/15/2021

vpap.org

vpap.org

Your Window into Virginia Politics

12/12/2021

www.vacourts.gov

www.vacourts.gov

11/30/2021

Home - National Constitution Center

A discussion of Lincoln's speeches. You can register and attend online tonight.

The National Constitution Center in historic Philadelphia is America's most hands-on history museum. Located just two blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, it is the only museum devoted to the U.S. Constitution and the story of we, the people.

11/22/2021

Political analyst and university professor chosen to redraw Virginia political districts - Virginia Mercury

Political analyst and university professor chosen to redraw Virginia political districts - Virginia Mercury

The Virginia Supreme Court has picked Sean P. Trende and Bernard N. Grofman to serve as “special masters” who will redraw voting districts throughout the state. The decision comes after weeks of controversy concerning the failure of the new Virginia Redistricting Commission to select the two peo...

11/18/2021

Timeline photos

While the Board of Supervisors has already held a public hearing on proposed redistricting maps, there's still time to offer your input before new electoral districts are expected to be adopted on Dec. 7. The proposed maps are for new electoral districts for the Board of Supervisors and School Board.

View maps at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/redistricting and submit your written testimony by Dec. 7.

11/16/2021

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day | Fairfax County Public Schools

https://www.fcps.edu/event/ruby-bridges-walk-school-day

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Wednesday, November 17 2021 Share Page Add to Calendar 2021-11-17 00:00:00 2021-11-17 23:59:00 America/New_York Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day November’s Walking Wednesday event is dedicated to Ruby Bridges, the elementary student who, as the first African American...

11/14/2021

Redistricting Blog – League of Women Voters of Virginia

The responsibility for drawing new maps was turned over to the Supreme Court of Virginia, per the provisions of the Constitutional Amendment that voters approved last November. On November 1st, the leaders of the General Assembly submitted lists of nominees for the position of "special master", from which the SCoVA justices were to select two special masters. Today, November 12th, the justices, in a unanimous vote, rejected the 3 nominees put forth by Republican leaders. They responded to letters submitted by Senator Dick Saslaw (D) and Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D), asking that all 3 be rejected for being too partisan. The Republican leaders must now submit a list of 3 or more new names to the court by COV Monday.
Read more (including a link to the Court ruling) on the LWV-VA website :

SCoVA Rejects 3 Republican, 1 Democratic Nominee for Special Master November 12, 2021 Fran Larkins The Supreme Court of Virginia (SCOVA) announced in a order on Friday, November 12 that they have rejected all 3 nominations from the Republican Party for Special Masters candidates, requiring replaceme...

11/13/2021

Did You Know: The Justice Bell and the Fight for Women's Access to the Vote (U.S. National Park Service)

Did You Know: The Justice Bell and the Fight for Women's Access to the Vote (U.S. National Park Service)

The bell is called the Justice Bell, but has also been known as the Women’s Liberty Bell and the Suffrage Bell. It was commissioned by Katharine Wentworth Ruschenberger in 1915. She was one of the 70,000 members of the Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association, and a leader of the organization in Ch...

11/12/2021

Have ideas on how land use changes for individual sites happen in Fairfax County? We’re open to suggestions about the Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process.

Tell us how to make it better!: https://bit.ly/3qlpgVf

11/11/2021

100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

11/05/2021

vpap.org

To see an update on Virginia redistricting, click on the link.

Your Window into Virginia Politics

11/04/2021

Virginia Dept of Elections - Voter Quiz

Take this quiz to see what you know about voting in Virginia!

The Department of Elections envisions an electoral process that is trustworthy and accountable at all levels and engages Virginia’s diverse citizenry in the most fundamental right: the right to vote.

11/03/2021

Today we highlight the Jean Marburg League of Women Voters Collection, 1970-1988 (C0039). This #manuscript collection holds documents relating to the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA), with a particular focus on when #JeanMarburg served on the Executive Board. Materials relate to LWVFA’s stance on topics such as national security, education, hunger, health care, and the environment.

#Vote #ElectionDay #LeagueofWomenVoters #LWV #LWVFA #feminism

11/01/2021

Timeline photos

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 2, is Election Day, and here’s what you need to know about how and where to vote:

☑️ Every polling place is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2. If you're in line by 7 p.m., you will be able to vote.
☑️ Return your vote-by-mail ballot in a drop box at any polling place or by mail.
☑️ Bring an acceptable form of ID with you to the polls.

Learn more in our voter guide: https://bit.ly/2ZCjrHI

10/30/2021

The last day to VOTE is next Tuesday, 11/2!

Not sure where to start?

VOTE411.org is your go-to election information tool you NEED before casting your ballot.

10/28/2021

Timeline photos

Saturday, Oct. 30 is the last day to cast an early ballot for the Nov. 2 election. For hours, locations and more information, contact your local Voter Registration Office: elections.virginia.gov/vro. View candidate lists: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/candidate-list/ #VAisForVoters #VaElections2021.

10/24/2021

10/21/2021

In-Person Early Voting | Elections

Do you want to voter BEFORE Nov. 2nd? You can go to an early voting site.

Fairfax County, Virginia - Learn about in-person early voting in Fairfax County, including locations, dates and times.

10/13/2021

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: LWV 44th District Candidate Forum - Monday, October 18th. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Register now & submit questions for the LWVFA's 44th District Candidate Forum on Monday, October 18, 2021 @ 7:00 PM The certified candidates are:
Paul E. Krizek* (D) incumbent
Richard T. Hayden (R)
To attend the webinar, please register using the link below to receive an invitation to view the forum and to submit questions to the candidates.

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: LWV 44th District Candidate Forum - Monday, October 18th. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.