South Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Jessie Menifield Rattley

Photographed By PaulwC3, May 15, 2014

1. Jessie Menifield Rattley Marker

Inscription. 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.

Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-78.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Government & Politics • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.

Location. 36° 59.048′ N, 76° 25.371′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in South Newport News. Marker is at the intersection

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of Jefferson Avenue (Virginia Route 143) and 29th Street, on the right when traveling south on Jefferson Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport News VA 23607, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gregory Cherry (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); James A. Fields House (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named James A. Fields House (about 600 feet away); Crusader for Legal Justice (approx. 0.2 miles away); Newport News Pays Tribute (approx. ¼ mile away); Ella Fitzgerald (approx. ¼ mile away); Memorial Design & Concept (approx. ¼ mile away); King Comes to Newport News (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Also see . . .
1. Jessie Rattley - Black History - TimesDispatch.com. Jessie Menifield Rattley made history so often that her accomplishments could fill a book. (Submitted on May 25, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

2. The Library of Virginia - Working Out Her Destiny - Notable Virginia Women - Rattley. One of many Virginia women who responded to changed conditions and made new opportunities for community service and leadership during the final decades of the twentieth century, Jesse Menifield Rattley (1929–2001) (Submitted on May 25, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Wide view of the Jessie Menifield Rattley Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By PaulwC3, May 15, 2014

2. Wide view of the Jessie Menifield Rattley Marker

The site of the Peninsula Business College image. Click for full size.

Photographed By PaulwC3, May 15, 2014

3. The site of the Peninsula Business College

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 935 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 25, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.