Celebrating Women’s History Month in Fairfax City are (from left) Councilmember Stacey Hardy-Chandler, Mayor Catherine Read and Councilmembers Stacy Hall and Rachel McQuillen.
Fairfax City kicked off Women’s History Month in style last week with speeches, a proclamation and a reception in the City Hall atrium. Catering the event were three, women-owned, businesses in Fairfax.
Bisnonna Bakeshop brought cannoli, Liberty Baking offered cupcakes and brownies, and Fair City Cookies brought cookies decorated with the month’s logo. In addition, a fashion student from the Fairfax Academy (see sidebar) displayed a dress she made.
Speaking during the March 11 reception was Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read. “Here in Fairfax City, we like to recognize people, and that includes women,” she said. “I’m the first woman mayor of the City of Fairfax, and Councilwoman Stacey Hardy-Chandler was the first Black woman we’ve ever elected.” Read also pointed out former Councilmembers in attendance, Janice Miller and Ellie Schmidt.
“You know, all of us stand on the shoulders of the women who came before us,” said Read. “Starting back when we became a city in 1961, there were women who served, over a number of years, on the dais. And this [current] dais is the first that’s majority women.”
However, she said it’s also important to acknowledge that women haven’t always had the same access and opportunity as men. She and Councilmembers Anthony Amos and Rachel McQuillen recently spoke to some eighth-graders at Katherine Johnson Middle School and told them about the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote.
“That was in 1920, and it’s only 2025,” said Read. “We’ve only had access for 105 years out of a history that started back in 1619. That’s not a lot of representation or access to government that women have had.” She then told a story about Harry Burns, a 23-year-old from Tennessee – which was the last state to ratify the 19th Amendment.
Read said, “His mother wrote him a letter and said, ‘Remember the ladies.’ And Harry Burns voted yes – and then ran [from his fellow congressmen] for his life. But God bless Harry Burns and his mother for giving women the right to vote. I think that’s important for people to know.”
Noting how much she loves stories about history, Read said she also told the students about Barbara Johns and that her statue is slated to come from Virginia to stand inside the U.S. Capitol and replace one of Robert E. Lee. She then explained why Johns is so significant to the country.
Johns attended Moton High, an all-Black school in Farmville, Va. And in 1951, at age 16, she led a student walkout from Moton to protest its overcrowded, substandard conditions. This action helped set in motion events laying the groundwork for the Supreme Court’s historic, Brown v. Board of Education ruling declaring segregation unconstitutional.
The students’ lawsuit, Prince Edward County vs. Virginia, was supported by two NAACP lawyers and became part of four other lawsuits comprising Brown v. Board of Education. It was called “Brown” because that suit was first alphabetically.
“The plaintiffs for Prince Edward County were the students who walked out of Moton High School,” said Read. “So I told these eighth-graders that young people have power because – if it hadn’t been for Barbara Johns leading that walkout – those students wouldn’t have been the largest number of plaintiffs in Brown v. Board of Education.”
Basically, said Read, “Whatever your age, women have been doing remarkable things since Joan of Arc. And it’s about time we truly celebrated that history.” She then singled out two more people in the audience – former Planning Commissioner Janet Jaworski and former Parks and Rec Advisory Board member Evie Ifantides – as deserving of acknowledgement.
“There are people in this community who have given as volunteers and community leaders,” said Read. “And sometimes we don’t always know their names, but they, too, should be recognized. The point is, this community has benefited from the commitment and the investment of women in our City for so many years. And all of us stand on their shoulders. I am grateful; so thank you, women, for everything you’ve done.”
The Proclamation
Following the reception, at the start of the City Council meeting, Read read a Women’s History Month proclamation before presenting a plaque to the Fairfax City Commission for Women.
“Each March, we commemorate Women’s History Month by reflecting upon the numerous achievements of women who have improved and strengthened our community and our nation with special recognition of those voices who have been historically marginalized, including Black, Indigenous, other women of color, LGBTQ+ women, immigrant women and women with disabilities.
“The 2025 Theme for National Women’s History Month is ‘Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.’ “We recognize women, past and present, who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship and leadership. We acknowledge women who have been at the forefront of movements for equality, racial justice and social change.
“Throughout history, information sharing has been a powerful catalyst for change. Examining new insights and knowledge creates a framework for collaboration and promotes the wellbeing of groups, businesses, communities and societies, as a whole. We honor women from all walks of life who have used their platforms to foster collective growth, empowerment and transformation.
“From classrooms to boardrooms, and from grassroots movements to global initiatives, women educators and leaders have played a pivotal role in nurturing minds and inspiring transformative action, and the 2025 theme spotlights the contributions women have made to the American educational system, the free marketplace of ideas and the very fabric of our democracy. [They have] faced numerous challenges while continuing to pave the way for future generations of women … and changemakers in a multitude of fields ranging from business and medicine to government and the arts.
“Women made significant scientific contributions to the early space program, the modernization of computer programming, and served in positions of power in boardrooms, the education system, medicine, politics and the military. As we honor women this month, we celebrate their perseverance, courage and determination as the backbone of progress in this nation.”
Next, to commemorate the “spirit, courage and contributions of women in the City of Fairfax,” Read proclaimed March 2025 as Women’s History Month. She also encouraged everyone to attend the Commission for Women’s panel discussion in City Hall council chambers, 10455 Armstrong St., on Sunday, March 23, from 1-3 p.m.
Moderated by Councilmember Stacey Hardy-Chandler, this free event’s theme is “Moving Forward Together: Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” Local women educators will share personal experiences and lessons learned, while highlighting the contributions of women educators in shaping communities, fostering mentorship and leading with purpose.
Commission for Women
Accepting the plaque, Commission for Women Chair Johnelle Brown said she was honored to receive it. “Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the tremendous contributions women have made to our personal lives, the local community, our nation and the world,” said Brown. “Generations of all kinds of women have fought for equality, justice and the freedom to lead.
“This month, we not only honor their achievements and sacrifice but also commit to uplifting the voices and experiences of women from all walks of life and every corner of the community,” she continued. “We’re deeply grateful to those who continue to advocate for equal opportunities, and we recognize the strength and resilience of women everywhere.”
Thanking Read and the Councilmembers for their ongoing support, Brown said her organization is excited to move forward together with them in “celebrating and advancing the work of women in our City.”