Contributions to Virginia & the World in the 20 th & 21 st Centuries VS.9bd

Many Virginians made contributions to our state and nation during the 20 th and 21 st centuries. These contributions were social, political, and economic.

20 th Century

21 st Century

A contribution is when someone does something that helps people.

The people we are learning about are from the 20 th and 21 st centuries. But what exactly is a “century?”

Centuries work like this… 1700s = 18 th Century 1800s = 19 th Century 1900s = 20 th Century 2000s = 21 st Century

So the year 1776 would be in the 18 th Century would be in the 19 th Century would be in the 20 th Century would be in what Century?

21 st !

A social contribution is any contribution (help) that is done for society, or for a group of people.

A political contribution is any contribution (help) that is done to fix or make our government better.

An economic contribution is any contribution (help) that is done to fix or make our economy (how people spend and make money) better.

Maggie L. Walker: In the early 20th century, women did not benefit from many of the rights and privileges enjoyed by men. They were not allowed to vote and those that worked held only the lowest paying jobs. One woman refused to accept this poor treatment. Her name was Maggie L. Walker. Maggie established St. Luke’s Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, Virginia. She also became the first African American woman to establish and become a bank president in the United States.

Harry F. Byrd, Sr.: Harry F. Byrd, Sr. was a very powerful leader from the state of Virginia. He served as the 50th governor of Virginia and as a United States Senator. As governor, he modernized our state government and improved state roads. His motto was “Pay As You Go.” Harry F. Byrd, Sr. did not believe that Virginia should borrow money to improve its roads. Instead he proposed that the needed money come from taxes on gasoline.

Oliver Hill: As a civil rights lawyer and civil rights leader, Oliver W. Hill, Sr. worked for equal rights of African Americans. He played a key role in the Brown v. Board of Education decision to desegregate public schools.

Arthur R. Ashe, Jr.: Arthur R. Ashe, Jr. was the first African American winner of a major men’s tennis championship. His famous ten year career began on the public recreation courts in Richmond, Virginia. During this time frame he won three Grand Slam singles titles and collected over 800 career victories. Arthur R. Ashe, Jr. was also known as an author and spokesperson for social change. His popularity gave him many opportunities to speak out about inequities in the world of tennis and society as a whole.

A. Linwood Holton, Jr.: As the 61st governor of Virginia, A. Linwood Holton, Jr. was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. As an attorney and politician, he promoted racial equality. In fact, as governor, he appointed more women and African Americans to state government positions than any other governor. A. Linwood Holton, Jr. also created the Virginia Governor’s Schools Program.

L. Douglas Wilder: In 1989, voters in Virginia elected L. Douglas Wilder, the grandson of an enslaved African American, as their 66th governor. The Richmond teenager, who had once shined shoes and washed windows to help support his family, became the first African American to be elected a state governor in the entire United States.

Two famous men, Woodrow Wilson and George C. Marshall, were important national and international leaders. Their contributions benefited both the United States and the world.

Woodrow Wilson: Woodrow Wilson was a 20th century president ( ) who was born in Virginia. He wrote a plan for world peace. His plan was called the League of Nations which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. Wilson was president during World War I.

George C. Marshall: General of the Army, George C. Marshall created an economic plan to ensure world peace. This plan was called the Marshall Plan for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Marshall graduated from Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and was related to Chief Justice John Marshall who was a native Virginian.

When you are done, please let Ms. Conner know.