South Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Norvleate Downing-Gross
A Fighter in the War Against Poverty
I walked into empty rooms, no chairs, no desks in fact, nothing; but I was inspired by the faith of a few that I could do a job for my community and for those who were less fortunate than ourselves.
A 1926 graduate of Howard University, Norvleate Downing-Gross began her affiliation with the causes of this city in 1931 when she moved here with her husband, Dr. Ernest Downing. Among her civic involvements, she was a program director of Phillis Wheatley YWCA, executive secretary of the Peninsula Coordinating Committee, and the executive director of the Newport News Office of Human Affairs from its inception in 1964 until her death.
Her passion and dedication to the community extended from service on a myriad of area committees to congressional delegations on housing, social services, aging, equal opportunity, minority relations, manpower, policing and recreation. Following her demise on February 11, 1983, this building, from where she had so tirelessly served the community, was renamed in her honor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 11, 1983.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula, in Hampton Roads, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ella Jane Fitzgerald (within shouting distance of this marker); Pearl Mae Bailey (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Phillis Wheatley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ella Fitzgerald (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pearl Bailey (approx. half a mile away); Annie Belle Daniels (approx. half a mile away); Newport News Pays Tribute (approx. half a mile away); Memorial Design & Concept (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Photographed by Lyn Johnson, September 11, 2021
3. Norvleate Downing-Gross Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021
4. Dedication plaque on the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 570 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on September 11, 2021, by Lyn Johnson of Newport News,VA, Virginia. 4. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
