Celebrating Women’s History Month
While Black History Month is celebrated in February, it’s essential to recognize women’s contributions to America in March.
March presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the enduring legacy of women in America, coinciding with the arrival of spring and its promise of renewal and growth.
Women’s History Month serves as a powerful reminder of the intersectionality of race and gender, honoring the remarkable achievements and resilience of women who have shaped American society.
This month, we pay tribute to trailblazers like Mrs. Evelyn Syphax, who pioneered education and desegregation efforts, and Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, a courageous civil rights leader.
We also celebrate women who have broken barriers in the arts, such as Roberta Flack, whose music continues to inspire generations.
As we observe Women’s History Month, we recognize the progress made towards equality and recommit to protecting and advancing these hard-won gains.
Let us honor the legacy of women who have paved the way for future generations, empowering them to continue shaping a brighter, more equitable future.
Dr. Scott Edwin Taylor, PhD
(President)
Introducing Antionette Waters
Antoinette Dempsey-Waters is a trailblazing educator with 21 years of experience, inspiring students in Northern Virginia for 17 years. She is currently teaching history at Wakefield high School here in Arlington .
She is the recipient of the prestigious 2019 Mt. Vernon Ladies Association History Teacher of the Year award, recognizing her dedication to innovative education.
As Co-Chair of the Development Committee for the College Board’s AP African American Studies, Antoinette has played a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum. She has also developed the African American History Curriculum for Arlington Public Schools and co-authored the state of Virginia’s African American Curriculum.
With a strong educational foundation from Temple University and George Mason University, Antoinette has been featured in prominent publications, including The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic Magazine. Her work has also been showcased on television and online platforms.
In recognition of her tireless efforts, the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate passed Joint Resolution Number 173 in February 2024, commending her as a visionary educator.
Ms. Waters is currently designing teaching materials for AP African American Studies, continuing to empower future generations.
Queen City: Arlington’s Demolished Neighborhood
Construction of the Pentagon’s road network in the early 1940s was responsible for the mass displacement of an African-American neighborhood in South Arlington.
A new historical marker aims to bring the history of that community — Queen City — and its residents to future generations.
The Arlington Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) on Jan. 15 took another look at proposed wording for the marker. Members then gave conditional approval, after final wordsmithing is completed.
The Black Heritage Museum of Arlington joined with an HALRB subcommittee and county historic-preservation staff to find the right words to fit available space on the cast-aluminum, double-faced marker.
