Women in Arlington History
Women played a crucial role in shaping the history of Arlington, transforming it from a rural area to a suburban county. However, the names of these women are often unfamiliar or unrecognized. These women were pioneers in their own right and played a vital role in improving education, libraries, and conservation. They were instrumental in establishing Arlington's first hospital and advocating for civil rights. Their contributions to the growth and development of their community were immense, and Arlington as we know it today would not have been possible without their valuable contributions.
Discover Zitkála-Šá
On January 26, 1938, Zitkála-Šá, a life-long advocate for Native American rights and a resident of 261 North Barton Street in Lyon Park, died at age 61. She was buried under the name Gertrude Simmons Bonnin in Arlington National Cemetery.
A nationally recognized Native American author and…
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Rediscover Grace Murray Hopper
Grace Murray Hopper broke down gender barriers throughout her career in the emerging field of computer science.
Ironically, her many accolades even included being named the first computer science ‘Man of the Year’ 1969 by the Data Processing Management Association.
Born in 1906 in New York…
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Joan Trumpauer Mulholland
1960 found her participating in sit-ins which often led to her being arrested and labeled as mentally ill owing to her unique status as a white, southern woman.
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The Organized Women Voters of Arlington
While the OWV’s objective was to “collect and disseminate political and civic information,” it also served as a space to improve women’s social position within the county.
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Evelyn Syphax
Evelyn Syphax devoted much of her time to education. She served as chairman of the Arlington School Board and led a successful overhaul of the county’s desegregation plan to reduce long bus rides for minority students.
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Ruby Lee Minar
Minar entered the real estate business in 1919 by investing $200 from Liberty Bonds in property in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and working as a sales agent at a Washington, D.C. realty firm.
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Ellen Bozman
In 1973, Bozman ran as an Independent candidate for the Arlington County Board. She captured more than 50% of the vote in a 3-way race, becoming the first woman elected to the board since 1958.
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Arlington Hall and the "Code Girls"
Staffed almost exclusively by women, Arlington Hall concentrated on deciphering Japanese communications
Arlington Hall was founded in 1927 as a private post-secondary women's educational institution. On June 10, 1942, the United States Army took possession of the Arlington Hall Girls School under the War Powers Act. It became the Signals intelligence Service By World War II is occupied a…
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Little Tea House
During its heyday, many famous people ate at the restaurant
A restaurant, frequented by Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, and Oliver Wendell Holmes. was one of the first places in Arlington where racially mixed groups could meet.
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"Arlington Heritage"
Much of what we know about the history of Arlington County is due to the work of Eleanor Lee Templeman, photographer, local historian, and author of several books on the history of the area.
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Arlington Hospital
In the early 1930s, efforts to establish a hospital in Arlington began, and a nominating committee from the central group named twenty individuals to serve on the Board of Trustees for the proposed hospital. The Arlington Hospital Association was officially incorporated on July 14, 1934, with the…
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Fire Battalion Chief Judith Brewer: Arlington's First Female Fire Fighter
Judith Brewer, then Judith Livers, was hired in 1974 at Clarendon Station #4, serving 15 years before retiring as one of the first female battalion chiefs in the country.
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America’s First All-Women Swing Band Lived in Arlington
Its members took the nation by storm, fearlessly touring even as they faced discrimination, Jim Crow law, and sexism
In the first half of the 20th century, only a handful of women were able to make it as successful musicians. This precedent was upturned by the International Sweethearts of Rhythm – the first all-female, racially integrated swing band.
Its members took the nation by storm, fearlessly touring even…
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Local Girl Makes Good: 1956 Olympics
Shelley Man moved to Arlington as a preschooler with her parents, Hamilton and Isabel Mann. She started swimming at age 11 when her parents enrolled her at summer camp to get her involved with other children. Shelley excelled and enjoyed it so much she joined the swim club at Walter Reed Hospital,…
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