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WATCH: Recognizing strong men and women in Virginia history

ROANOKE, Va. – The legacy of preserving African American literature is being celebrated.

Librarian Virginia Young Lee is one of five African American leaders being awarded at the Strong Men and Women in Virginia History Program.

Lee - a former librarian of Roanoke’s Gainsboro Branch - built and secretly protected a collection of black studies books and magazines this was when such materials were often censored.

“A lot of times we think about Civil Rights and think about people protesting. WE think about people making speeches. But there are a lot of people in the background of the Civil Rights Movement. And I think Ms. Lee was definitely one of those. She was quietly protecting books that the city didn’t want back readers to have access,” Megan Mizak, Branch Manager of the Gainsboro Branch Library, said.

This annual event partners with Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia, to honor Virginian African American leaders.

The Gainsboro Library continues Lee’s Legacy by expanding and sharing its history archive.


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About the Author
Amanda Stellwag headshot

Amanda Stellwag is a Content Gatherer and joined the WSLS 10 News team in December 2024. She is from New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers University in May 2024.