Virginia Newell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Virginia Newell
Newell in 2024
Alderman of Winston-Salem, North Carolina (East Ward)
In office 1977–1993
Personal details
Born	Virginia Kimbrough October 7, 1917 Advance, North Carolina, US
Died	March 14, 2025(2025-03-14) (aged 107)
Spouse	George Newell ​ ​ (m. 1943; died 1989)​
Children	2
Education	Talladega College New York University University of Sarasota
Occupation	Educator author politician
Awards	Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Virginia Kimbrough Newell (born Kimbrough; October 7, 1917 – March 14, 2025) was an American politician, math teacher, and author. She was famous for being a math professor and starting the computer science program at Winston-Salem State University. She later became a professor emeritus, which means she retired but kept her title. Along with Vivian Burke, she was one of the first African American women to become an alderman (a city council member) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In 2017, she received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for her important work.

Early Life and School Days

Virginia Kimbrough was born on October 7, 1917, in Advance, North Carolina. She was one of nine children. Even though her family was African American, she grew up playing with white children in her neighborhood. Her father was a builder and could vote, even during the Jim Crow era, because he had a white ancestor. Both of her parents had studied at Shaw University. Virginia learned math by helping her father with his building measurements. She even won a math contest in elementary school!

Her family sent her to live with a great aunt so she could go to Atkins High School. There, she learned a lot from her math teachers. She earned top grades and even became a teacher's assistant. After finishing high school in 1936, she received many scholarships. She chose to study math at Talladega College in Alabama. This was a historically black college. Many of her teachers there had taught at famous universities before coming to Talladega.

She later earned a master's degree from New York University. She also took classes at other universities like the University of Wisconsin and University of Chicago. In 1976, she earned a doctorate in education from the University of Sarasota. Her final project was about creating math learning materials for future elementary school teachers.

Teaching and Writing Career

After college, Virginia Kimbrough returned to Atkins High School to teach math. In 1943, she married George Newell, who had been her biology teacher at the same school. She then became Virginia Newell. They had two daughters, Glenda and Virginia, who both became doctors. Virginia and George Newell taught at several schools in Atlanta and Raleigh, North Carolina. This included John W. Ligon High School and Shaw University. At Shaw University, Virginia Newell was an associate professor of math from 1960 to 1965. George Newell passed away in 1989.

In 1965, both Virginia and George Newell started working at Winston-Salem State University. Virginia Newell became a math professor there. She led the math department and helped bring computers to the university. She also started the computer science program. In 1979, she became the first leader of the computer science department. She created programs for middle school students, like the Math and Science Academy of Excellence. She also helped start the North Carolina Council of Teachers on Mathematics.

In 1980, Newell helped write a book called Black Mathematicians and Their Works. This was the first book to show the important work of African American mathematicians. She also edited the newsletter for the National Association of Mathematicians. This group is for African American mathematicians.

She retired from Winston-Salem State University around 1985 after 20 years. She retired as a professor emerita, which is an honored title for retired professors.

Politics and Community Work

Newell became active in politics during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. She helped spread awareness on her college campus and in the community. She also took part in many protest marches to support the movement.

In 1972, Newell was a co-chair for Shirley Chisholm's presidential campaign in North Carolina. In 1977, Newell and Vivian Burke made history. They were elected as the first two African American women to become aldermen in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Newell represented the East Ward. She served in this role for 16 years.

Later, Newell helped organize local outreach for Barack Obama's presidential campaigns. She also voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 US presidential election. She even connected with Harris through video calls and letters.

Virginia Newell passed away on March 14, 2025, at 107 years old.

Awards and Honors

The computer science center at Winston-Salem State University is named after Virginia Newell. One of the streets in Winston-Salem is also named Virginia Newell Lane.

In 2017, Newell received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. This is the highest honor given by the governor of North Carolina. In 2018, the National Association of Mathematicians gave her their Centenarian Award. In 2019, she received the YWCA Women of Vision Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2021, she was honored by the Mathematically Gifted and Black website for Black History Month.