Civil Rights Activist From Oakton Recognized With Historical Marker

OAKTON, VA — When Fairfax County approached the family of civic activist Lillian Blackwell about where to place a historical acknowledging her role in the integration of the county's school system, her son Preston Blackwell didn't think much of the marker's proposed location.

"We were talking about where to put this marker and the initial site, I said, 'Nobody's going to see that marker, because I've been to that facility," he said. "The only people that are going to see that marker work at the government center or use the trails for exercise."

On Saturday, local officials, students and members of the Blackwell family gathered at Oakton High School for the unveiling of the first of six markers to be installed around Fairfax County as part of the Black/African American Historical Marker Project.

Preston Blackwell told the audience that his family lived not 300 yards from the entrance of where Oakton High School now sits. He pointed toward the west, recalling the nearby woods in which he and his siblings used to play. It was this area where his mother first formulated the idea in the 1950s of suing the county for public accommodations. Her lawsuits led to the desegregation of county schools and ended segregated seating in movie theaters.

"It's appropriate that the marker is here," Preston Blackwell said. "My brother Lawerence was named in the suit. He graduated from Oakton High School. We've come a long way to get right back to square one and we continue to fight."

In addition to founding chapters of influential civil rights groups, Lillian Blackwell was involved in many local organizations. She raised money for public libraries and started the first African American Girl Scout troop in Fairfax County.

"It's exciting to see the community coming together to celebrate Lillian Blackwell," said Fairfax County School Board Chairman Karl Frisch, who represents the Providence District on the board. "This is a person who was instrumental in bringing the promises of the Supreme Court's decision to integrate schools to Virginia, in Fairfax County, and that should be recognized."

Lillian Blackwell attended what is now Louise Archer Elementary School in nearby Vienna, and she would talk about how her family expected "the least of the least of the least of everything," according to Frisch.

"I think that shaped her activism," he said. "Her story tells young people that they can have an impact on the world around them. That's an important message to send."

When the historical maker program was launched in Feb. 22 to honor the contributions made by Black/African Americans in the community, students and youth groups were encouraged to submit historical marker proposals.

From the 53 proposals submitted, a panel of appointees from county offices, community groups and student representatives chose 14 finalists and then four members of the History Commission selected the following for the six markers to be installed as part of the project:

• Louise Archer, an educator, who supported numerous students over her time.
• Lillian Blackwell, who sued successfully to ban segregation of movie theatres and public schools.
• Annie Harper, who challenged the constitutionality of Virginia’s poll tax.
• Robert Gunnell, a freedman who conveyed land for Gunnell’s Chapel, a 19th century African American Methodist Church.
• Colin Powell, who was a long-time county resident, four-star general, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, founder of America’s Promise and the first African American secretary of state. There is an elementary school named after him in Centreville.
• December 20, 1856: The 16, which recognizes 16 enslaved individuals named in an 1856 property inventory for the land on which West Springfield High School now stands.

Meron Fikru, Delano Telford and Maddie Haag submitted their proposal nominating Lillian Blackwell as part of a project for their African American Studies class at South County High School.

Both Fikru and Haag participated in Saturday's unveiling ceremony. Learning about Lillian Blackwell's role in desegregating the school system was a profound lesson for each of them.

"The impact of what she did for future generations, I could feel the work that she did in a different way," Fikru said, who is now a student at George Mason University. "It's great for people to look at this marker that's at the high school where, as her son mentioned, it all began."

"My takeaway was the amount of things Lillian Blackwell did for the community," said Haag, who attends the University of Maryland in College Park. "It's just very surreal to see it in person and it's just very beautiful what she did."