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Home Virginia York County Newport News Historical Markers Jessie Menifield Rattley

Jessie Menifield Rattley

Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA , USA

Latitude & Longitude: 36° 59' 2.8824", -76° 25' 23.5128"
  Virginia VA State Historical Marker
Virginia State
Historical Marker

 
Educator, politician, and Civil Rights pioneer, Jessie Menifield Rattley (1929—2001) was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Hampton University in 1951. Rattley founded the Peninsula Business College here in 1952. She was the first black woman elected to the Newport News City Council and served from 1970 until 1990. In 1986 she became the city's first black and female mayor. Rattley was the first black president of the Virginia Municipal League (1978—1979) and in 1979 was elected the first black woman president of the National League of Cities. Rattley also served on a number of commissions, delegations, and taskforces for the U.S. government and other organizations.

Last updated: 2/14/2015 15:17:00
 
   
 
 
Jessie Menifield Rattley Historical Marker Location Map, Newport News, Virginia Map