Famous 20th and
st
21 Century Virginians
Maggie L. Walker
• Maggie L. Walker was
the first African
American woman to
become president of
a bank in the United
States.
• She was also the first
woman to become
president of a bank in
the U.S.
Woodrow Wilson and
George C. Marshall
• Two famous
Virginians,
Woodrow Wilson
and George C.
Marshall, were
important figures
and international
leaders.
Woodrow Wilson
• Woodrow Wilson
was a 20th Century
U.S. President who
wrote a plan for
world peace.
George C. Marshall
• George C.
Marshall was a
military leader who
created an
economic plan to
ensure world
peace.
Harry F. Byrd, Sr.
• As governor of
Virginia, he was
known for a “Pay As
You Go” policy for
road improvements.
• He is also credited for
modernizing Virginia’s
state government.
• He later became a
U.S. Senator from
Virginia.
Oliver W. Hill, Sr.
• Oliver W. Hill, Sr.,
was a lawyer and civil
rights leader who
worked for equal
rights of African
Americans. He played
a key role in the
Brown v. Board of
Education decision.
Linwood Holton, Jr.
• Linwood Holton, Jr.,
as governor of
Virginia, promoted
racial equality and
appointed more
African Americans
and women to
positions in state
government than
previous governors.
Arthur R. Ashe, Jr.
• Arthur R. Ashe, Jr.,
was the first African
American winner of a
major men’s tennis
singles championship.
• He was also an
author and eloquent
spokesperson for
social change.
L. Douglas Wilder
• Former governor of
Virginia.
• He was the first
African American to
be elected a state
governor in the United
States.