Born in Newport News, Virginia, Pearl Bailey was a celebrated singer, actress, and author whose charisma and talent made her a beloved entertainer. She began singing in church and local venues before launching a career that spanned Broadway, film, and television. Known for her warm voice and witty stage presence, she captivated audiences with performances in productions like Cabin in the Sky and Hello, Dolly!, where she made history as the first Black actress to star in the title role on Broadway.

Beyond entertainment, Bailey was a humanitarian and goodwill ambassador, using her platform to advocate for education and racial unity. She earned a degree in theology later in life and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1988 for her contributions to the arts and public service. A library in the Southeastern Community of Newport News was named for Ms. Bailey.

Flora Davis Crittenden was a 1941 graduate of Huntington High School, received her undergraduate degree from Virginia State University, and earned her Master of Science degree from Indiana University. Mrs. Crittenden worked in NNPS for 32 years as a teacher, department head, guidance counselor and guidance director, all at Carver High School and Carver Intermediate School. Flora Crittenden was active in the community joining the Newport News branch of the NAACP and later serving as President. She was also active in Trinity Baptist Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and served as president of the Christopher Newport University Board. Mrs. Crittenden entered the political arena in 1986 when she was elected to the Newport News City Council. In 1993, Mrs. Crittenden won a special election to fill a vacant seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, where she served for 11 years.

The building where Crittenden Middle School stands originally started as George Washington Carver High School. After additional sections were added to the school, it became known as Carver Intermediate in 1971. In 1980 it was renamed in honor of former Carver principal Homer L. Hines. In 1990, the school was closed for a renovation and the Hines name was given to another school in a nearby section of Newport News. In 1994, the School Board renamed the renovated school on Jefferson Avenue Flora D. Crittenden Middle School and in 1995 it was designated as the site of the middle school STEM magnet program.

Norvleate Downing-Gross moved to Newport News with her husband in 1931. She was a dedicated public servant and championed several community programs. The Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center is named in her honor.

She once said, "I was inspired by the faith of a few that I could do a job for my community and for those who were less fortunate than ourselves."

Her achievements include:

• Graduate of Howard University
• Program director of Phillis Wheatley YWCA
• Executive Secretary of the Peninsula Coordinating Committee
• Executive Director of the Newport News Office of Human Affairs

Ella Fitzgerald, born in Newport News, Virginia, was an iconic American jazz vocalist and entertainer. She was renowned for her extraordinary vocal talent and extensive career. Rising to prominence in the swing era, Fitzgerald's enchanting voice, impeccable phrasing, and ability to effortlessly traverse musical genres made her a household name. Often referred to as the "First Lady of Song" and the "Queen of Jazz," her career spanned over six decades, during which she recorded numerous hit albums and collaborated with jazz luminaries like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Ms. Fitzgerald's renditions of jazz standards and the Great American Songbook remain timeless, and her impact on the genre endures.

Beyond her musical achievements, Ella Fitzgerald played a pivotal role in breaking racial barriers in the entertainment industry. As the first African-American woman to win a Grammy Award, she paved the way for future generations of artists and became a symbol of resilience and talent. Her accolades include 13 Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, the NAACP's inaugural President's Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ms. Fitzgerald's influence extends far beyond her lifetime, as her contributions to jazz and her impact on cultural diversity continue to resonate, ensuring her legacy as one of the most revered and influential vocalists in the history of American music.

In 2021, NNPS changed four school names that did not reflect the School Board's values of inclusion and diversity. The change included the former Dozier Middle School, now named Ella Fitzgerald Middle School.

From teacher to dean of girls and assistant principal, Ethel Mae Gildersleeve served students at Newport News High School for 44 years. Gildersleeve Middle School was named in her honor in 1989, and a Newport News alumni group established the Ethel M. Gildersleeve Memorial Scholarship in 1993 to provide funding for students planning to attend CNU.

Alfred "Buck" Soter, a former student, said, "She always had a beautiful sense of humor, always would put some extra effort forth to help everybody."

Her achievements include:

• Master's Degree from Columbia University
• Children's mentor and advocate for seven decades

Mary Winston Jackson was an American mathematician and aerospace engineer who broke barriers in the male-dominated field of engineering. She was one of the first African American women to work as an engineer at NASA, where she contributed to the success of the space program during the 1950s and 1960s.

Born in Hampton, Virginia, Jackson excelled academically, earning a degree in mathematics and physical science from Hampton Institute in 1942. She began her career as a schoolteacher before joining the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the precursor to NASA, in 1951. As a "human computer," she worked alongside other African American women in the segregated West Area Computers division. She was later promoted to NASA's first African American female engineer, where she made significant contributions to aerodynamics, particularly in the design of aircraft and wind tunnel testing. Her achievements were highlighted in the book and film Hidden Figures.

Throughout her career, Jackson faced both racial and gender barriers but remained determined, breaking ground in a male-dominated field. In the 1970s, she transitioned into a role advocating for women and minorities in STEM, encouraging them to pursue careers in engineering.

Katherine Goble Johnson was a pioneering American mathematician known for her pivotal role in NASA's early space missions. Born on August 26, 1918 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Johnson displayed exceptional mathematical talent from a young age. She excelled in her education, graduating high school at 14 and receiving degrees in French and mathematics from West Virginia State University (formerly West Virginia State College) in 1937. The 2016 film, Hidden Figures, chronicled the story of Mrs. Johnson and her colleagues, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, female African-American mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Space Race.

In 1953, Johnson joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA, where her calculations played a crucial role in the success of the first American orbital spaceflights. Johnson's extraordinary mathematical skills were integral to the trajectory analysis for the first American in space, Alan Shepard, and the orbital calculations for John Glenn's historic flight around the Earth. Despite facing racial and gender discrimination, Katherine G. Johnson's perseverance and brilliance made her a trailblazer for women and African Americans in the fields of science and mathematics. Her contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of scientists and mathematicians. Katherine G. Johnson passed away at age 101 in Newport News on February 24, 2020, leaving an enduring impact on space exploration and breaking barriers for future generations.

In 2021, NNPS changed four school names that did not reflect the School Board's values of inclusion and diversity. The change included the former Lee Hall Elementary School, now named Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School.

Meyera Ellenson Oberndorf was a pioneering American civic leader and philanthropist, best known for being the first female mayor of Virginia Beach, serving from 1994 to 2002. During her tenure, Oberndorf was an advocate for public education, environmental preservation, and economic development, leading efforts to expand parks, improve schools, and enhance the city's infrastructure.

In addition to her political career, Oberndorf was deeply involved in community service, supporting causes such as the arts, education, and social services. In 2009, Governor Tim Kaine appointed her to the Virginia State Library Board, where she served until resigning in December 2012. In 2013, the Diocese of Richmond and Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia presented Oberndorf with the Bishop's Humanitarian Award for her public service. She was posthumously named one of the Virginia Women in History for 2016.

Her leadership and dedication to public service left a lasting impact on the Hampton Roads area, and she is remembered for her advocacy for women in leadership roles and her commitment to bettering her community.

Hazel Reid O'Leary was born in Newport News, Virginia, in 1937. She attended Aberdeen Gardens School in Hampton, Virginia, Booker T. Washington School, John Marshall School and Huntington High School in Newport News, Virginia. O'Leary graduated from the High School of Fine and Performing Arts in Newark, New Jersey in 1955. She then graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Fisk University in 1959, at the cusp of the Civil Rights Movement. O'Leary went on to obtain her J.D. degree from Rutgers University Law School in 1966.

O'Leary was a trailblazing American attorney and public servant who made history as the first African American and the first woman to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Energy. Appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993, O'Leary prioritized transparency, environmental justice, and the declassification of Cold War-era nuclear testing documents. Her tenure was marked by efforts to reform the Department of Energy, promote renewable energy sources, and address the disproportionate environmental impact of nuclear testing on marginalized communities.

Before leading the Department of Energy, O'Leary had an extensive career in both the public and private sectors. She held key positions in the Carter administration, worked as an executive in the energy industry, and later became the president of Fisk University, where she focused on strengthening academic programs and institutional leadership. Her legacy remains one of advocacy for clean energy, corporate accountability, and advancing opportunities for historically underrepresented groups.

Mary Lipe Passage started her career in education as a teacher at Warwick High School. She went on to become the first female principal of a major Virginia high school, Ferguson High School. Mary L. Passage Middle School was named in her honor in 2000.

Mr. Everette Hicks, a former Newport News School Board member, said, "She was a real educator. She was concerned about the achievement of the students in the city."

Her achievements include:

• Appointment as Ferguson High principal in 1965 made history for female administrators in the region and state
• Assisted creation of Point Option in 1973
• Retired as NNPS Assistant Director of Instruction, Secondary and Gifted Education

Jessie Menifield Rattley was a prominent leader in Newport News, Virginia, dedicated to education and public service. After graduating from Hampton Institute, she taught in public schools and later founded Peninsula Business College in 1952 to help African Americans gain business skills. Her passion for community improvement extended beyond the classroom, as she became involved in civic, religious, and political organizations to advocate for economic and educational opportunities.

In 1970, Rattley became the first African American and the first woman elected to the Newport News City Council, where she served for 20 years, including four as mayor. She played a key role in making local politics more inclusive, advised President Jimmy Carter on urban issues, and led both the Virginia Municipal League and the National League of Cities. After her time in office, she was a fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School and taught at Hampton University. In 2003, Newport News honored her legacy by renaming its city hall after her.

Lila Meade Valentine was an influential American civil rights activist and suffragist. Born in Richmond, Virginia, she became a prominent advocate for women's rights and social reform in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As one of the founders of the Virginia Equal Suffrage League, Valentine played a critical role in advancing the cause of women's voting rights in the South. She worked tirelessly to organize campaigns, raise awareness, and lobby lawmakers to support suffrage, even in the face of significant opposition.

Beyond her work with the suffrage movement, Valentine was also a staunch advocate for education and health care reform, as well as racial equality. She was involved in various social justice causes and worked to improve the lives of African Americans and women in her community. Valentine's legacy is one of courage, determination, and an unwavering commitment to equality. Her efforts helped pave the way for future generations of women to exercise their rights and demand a place in the political and social landscape of the nation.

Dorothy Jean Johnson Vaughan was a pioneering mathematician and computer scientist who played a crucial role in America's space program. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, she later moved to Newport News, Virginia and worked at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton. In 1943, she joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor to NASA, as part of the segregated West Area Computing unit. She became the first Black woman to supervise staff at Langley, breaking racial and gender barriers in a field dominated by white men.

Vaughan was an expert in mathematical computations and was among the first to recognize the importance of digital computing. She mastered programming languages like FORTRAN, ensuring that her team of Black female mathematicians remained essential as NASA transitioned to electronic computers. Her contributions were highlighted in the book and film Hidden Figures, which brought long-overdue recognition to her work. Her legacy lives on as an inspiration for women in STEM.

Maggie L. Walker, born in Richmond, Virginia, was a pioneering African American businesswoman and civil rights leader. She made history in 1903 by becoming the first Black woman in the United States to charter and serve as president of a bank, the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. Her leadership helped African Americans gain financial independence by providing loans and banking services that were often denied by white-owned institutions.

Beyond banking, Walker was a fierce advocate for education, employment, and civil rights. She played a significant role in the Independent Order of St. Luke, a Black fraternal organization, and used her influence to promote economic empowerment within the African American community. Despite facing racial and gender barriers, Walker's legacy endures as a symbol of resilience and progress. Her home in Richmond is now a National Historic Site, preserving her impact on American history.

Dorothy R. Watkins was an elementary school teacher who moved to the Peninsula in 1933 and taught for nine years at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Newport News. During her tenure, she joined the Newport News Negro Teachers' Association, an organization that took up the fight for equal pay in 1940 by petitioning the School Board. Talks between the board and association failed, and on February 18, 1942, Mrs. Watkins and the teachers' association filed a suit against the Superintendent and School Board of Newport News on the basis of equal pay for black educators. In 1943, a federal court ruled in Watkins' favor, but the School Board refused to comply with the court order for over two years. Watkins and five other leaders of the Newport News Negro Teachers' Association were fired by the School Board. She sued the School Board to be reinstated, but the court sided with the board saying it could hire and fire at will.

Mrs. Watkins went on to work for the Warwick School System until 1958 when the cities and school systems of Warwick and Newport News consolidated. She continued to teach elementary school for NNPS until her retirement in 1973. In 1974, Dorothy Roles Watkins was appointed to the Newport News School Board, and in 1976, the Dorothy R. Watkins Educational Center was named in her honor. The building has had varied uses over the years and today is known as Watkins Early Childhood Center.