Arlington 11th Grader Wins Essay Contest Honoring Black Virginians

ARLINGTON, VA — An Arlington high school student was the Northern Virginia winner of the high school writing contest for the 10th annual “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History.”

Pia Wilson, an 11th grade student at Washington-Liberty High School, and her fellow writing contest winners across the state received an Apple MacBook Air and $1,000.

In her essay, Pia wondered why the women who fought in the Civil Rights movement were not common household names and why the African American women who contributed to science were "brushed to the wayside."

"Growing up in South Africa, I learned about many inspirational men and women who fought against the oppression of Apartheid and for basic human rights. Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Lillian Ngoyi, Winnie Mandela — all black men and women who I looked up to," Pia wrote. "However, when I moved to America, I was shocked that so few African Americans, especially women, were named in my history and science lessons."

In her essay, Pia highlighted the achievements of Gladys B. West, an African American woman who made significant achievements in the field of science and mathematics.

The awards were presented to Pia and the other winners by the Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy. The honorees were celebrated at a program in Richmond on June 16.

The contributions of African Americans to Virginia history have been ignored, obscured, or underappreciated by those who recorded history. The program, which combined Dominion’s "Strong Men & Women: Excellence in Leadership" series and the Library of Virginia’s "African American Trailblazers" in Virginia History, was inaugurated in January 2013.

Along with Pia, the other student winners were Harmoni Townes, an 11th grader at Varina High School-Center of Communications; Thomas Patterson, a 12th grader at Chesapeake Career Center; and Ansley Dunning, a 12th grader at John S. Battle High School.

Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia also recognized the achievements of six African American leaders as part of the tenth annual “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” awards:

• Christy S. Coleman, Williamsburg, Public Historian
• Samuel H. Clark, Roanoke, Labor Leader
• Robert L. Dandridge, Norfolk, Hall of Fame Basketball Player, Washington Bullets legend, 1978 NBA championship winner
• Rev. Dr. B.H. Hester, Fredericksburg, Minister
• Christyl C. Johnson, Woodbridge, Engineer
• Samuel W. Tucker, Richmond, Civil Rights Attorney