In celebration of Women's History Month, the Library of Virginia, along with Dominion and the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, is pleased to announce the 2009 Virginia Women in History program, which highlights the professional, community, state, and national contributions of eight Virginia women. The women honored this year are: * Mary Randolph (1762-1828), Chesterfield County and Richmond, writer As author of "The Virginia House-Wife" (1824), the first American regional cookbook, Mary Randolph transformed cooking and household management in ways that continue to influence chefs and domestic supervisors. * Caroline Bradby Cook (born ca. 1839), King William County, Pamunkey leader and Unionist A Unionist during the Civil War, Caroline Bradby Cook protected, preserved, and passed on the Pamunkey heritage. * Virginia Estelle Randolph (1874-1958), Henrico County, educator Virginia Randolph's innovative teaching techniques became the model for African American education throughout the South early in the twentieth century. * Pauline Adams (1874-1957), Norfolk, suffragist Taking a militant approach to the campaign for woman's suffrage, Pauline Adams chose to go to prison for her political beliefs. * Drew Gilpin Faust (1947- ), Clarke County, historian and president of Harvard University An influential historian of the American South and the Civil War, Drew Gilpin Faust is the first woman to serve as president of Harvard University. * Mary Sue Terry (1947- ), Patrick County, attorney general In 1985 Mary Sue Terry became the first woman elected to statewide office in Virginia. * Joann Hess Grayson (1948- ), Harrisonburg, educator and advocate for abused children A clinical psychologist and professor at James Madison University, Joann Hess Grayson is an advocate for abused and neglected children. * Claudia Emerson (1957- ), Fredericksburg, poet Claudia Emerson received the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and is Virginia's poet laureate. The Library of Virginia congratulates Amy D. Garrett's 4th-graders at Island Creek Elementary School in Alexandria, Doreen Pauley's A. P. U.S. History class at Sherando High School in Stephens City, and Katie Sandlin's eighth-graders at Gereau Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration in Rocky Mount for submitting winning nominations for 2009. Each teacher received $250 for classroom supplies or instructional materials, and each school library received the three volumes of the "Dictionary of Virginia Biography" and a copy of the "Hornbook of Virginia History." Posters featuring the 2009 honorees have been mailed to schools, libraries, and cultural institutions throughout the state. Biographies of each woman, related primary source materials, and suggested classroom activities suitable for teachers in grades K-12 are available on the Library's Web site at: http://lva.virginia.gov/vawomen/. During the month of March, the 2009 Virginia Women in History panel exhibition will be on display in the lobby of the Library of Virginia. It will travel to locations around the state for the rest of the year. Visit the 2009 Virginia Women in History Web site for a full listing of dates and venues. The Library of Virginia also invites you to our annual celebration honoring women who have played an integral part in Virginia from its beginnings. The reception will be held at the Library of Virginia on Thursday, March 26, 2009, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Lisa LaFata Powell, journalist and community volunteer, is the host for the evening. The event is free, but you must call (804) 692-3900 by March 20, 2009, to reserve your seat. Nomination forms for the 2010 Virginia Women in History program are available at http://lva.virginia.gov/vawomen/. As part of the Library of Virginia's participation in the 2010 program "Minds Wide Open: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts," we especially encourage the nomination of women who take part in or support the performing and fine arts; but we welcome the nomination of women who have made important contributions in all fields and professions. Richmond Times-Dispatch "Newspaper in Education" Resource: To honor Women's History Month in March, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Library of Virginia are partnering on a women's history series featuring biographies of the 2009 Virginia Women in History honorees. The nine installments in the series will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays during March. For more information, call (804) 649-6901 or visit the Richmond Times-Dispatch Web site at http://www.timesdispatch.com. The Library of Virginia 800 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804)692-3500 http://www.lva.virginia.gov/ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Sara B. Bearss [log in to unmask] Senior Editor, Dictionary of Virginia Biography The Library of Virginia 800 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23221-8000 Friends don't let friends split infinitives. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html