HAMPTON, Va. — 13News Now is highlighting influential women in honor of Women's History Month. Today we are remembering the first woman and African American to be elected to the state legislature.
Dr. Mary T. Christian, born in 1924, started her career at Hampton University, which at the time was called the Hampton Institute.
During her time as an educator, Dr. Christian wrote multiple papers and dissertations on educational approaches.
Christian was the first African American to serve as a Hampton City school board member. Shen then went on to become the first African American and first woman from Hampton elected to the Virginia legislature.
Dr. Christian served nine consecutive terms representing Virginia's 92nd district.