VS.9d guide
Individual Contributions
Many individuals from Virginia made social, political, and
economic contributions to Virginia life in the twentieth and twenty-first
centuries. Maggie L. Walker was the first African American woman
to establish and become a bank president in the United States. As
governor, Harry F. Byrd, Sr., was known for a “Pay As You Go” policy
for road improvements, and he modernized Virginia state
government. 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 vs. Board of Education court decision. 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. As governor of Virginia, A. Linwood
Holton, Jr. promoted racial equality and appointed more African
Americans and women to positions in state government then previous
governors. L. Douglas Wilder, as governor of Virginia, was the first
African American to be elected a state governor in the United States.
In these ways, Walker, Byrd, Hill, Ashe, Holton, and Wilder all
contributed socially, politically, and economically to life in Virginia.
Chesterfield County Public Schools
September 2010
VS.9d
Ask Questions, Make Inferences or Predictions, Making Connections
 What contributions to twentieth century Virginia life were made
by Maggie L. Walker?
 Who implemented the ”Pay As You Go” policy and modernized
Virginia state government?
 How did Arthur R. Ashe, Jr. contribute to Virginia life in the
twentieth century?
 Who was the first African American governor elected in the
United States?
 How did Oliver Hill, Sr. contribute to Virginia life?
 Who was the Virginia governor who promoted racial equality
and appointed more African Americans and women to positions
in the state government?
Chesterfield County Public Schools
September 2010
VS.9d
VS.9d notes
Individual Contributions
Many individuals from Virginia made social, political, and
economic contributions to Virginia life in the twentieth and twenty-first
centuries. Maggie L. Walker was the first African American woman
to establish and become a bank president in the United States. As
governor, Harry F. Byrd, Sr., was known for a “Pay As You Go” policy
for road improvements, and he modernized Virginia state
government. 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 vs. Board of Education court decision. 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. As governor of Virginia, A. Linwood
Holton, Jr. promoted racial equality and appointed more African
Americans and women to positions in state government then previous
governors. L. Douglas Wilder, as governor of Virginia, was the first
African American to be elected a state governor in the United States.
In these ways, Walker, Byrd, Hill, Ashe, Holton, and Wilder all
contributed socially, politically, and economically to life in Virginia.
Chesterfield County Public Schools
September 2010
VS.9d
During the early twentieth century and twenty-first century several
Virginians’ actions impacted international events. Woodrow Wilson
was a 20th century president who wanted world peace. George C.
Marshall was a military leader who created an economic plan to
ensure world peace.
Chesterfield County Public Schools
September 2010
VS.9d