Falls Church, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mary Ellen Henderson
Mary Ellen Henderson (1885-1976) was a teacher and principal at Falls Church Colored School. In 1919 she started to fight for equal schools for Black children. Her 1936 report exposed disparities between Black and White schools, leading to James Lee Colored School opening in 1949.
Erected 2024.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.
Location. 38° 52.833′ N, 77° 10.593′ W. Marker is in Falls Church, Virginia. It is on South Maple Avenue east of Tinner Hill Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 S Maple Ave, Falls Church VA 22046, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: Jessie Thackrey (here, next to this marker); Lola Saunders (here, next to this marker); Susan Lawrence Olom (a few steps from this marker); Mary Riley Styles (a few steps from this marker); Alixa Naff (a few steps from this marker); Ida Quick Hawxhurst (a few steps from this marker); Cay Wiant (a few steps from this marker); Louisa Mars Henderson (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Falls Church.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on March 4, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
