Human Rights

Human Rights Events

Celebrating the end of legalized Segregation in the Prince William County Public Schools 1966 - 2026

In 1964, at the recommendation of Director of Personnel Herbert J. Saunders, Superintendent Stewart Beville selected four African American educators, Zella Brown, Maxine Coleman, Fannie W. Fitzgerald, and Mary G. Porter, known historically as the Courageous Four, to integrate all previously all-white schools. These four educators were appointed with immediate effect and, with no advance public notice, stepped into all-white classrooms to pave the way for broader desegregation of the Prince William County Public Schools.

In 1965, Prince William County Public Schools implemented a "freedom of choice" plan as a transitional desegregation policy to comply with federal mandates while avoiding immediate, full integration. Under this policy, schools that were previously strictly segregated became schools of "choice," allowing Black and white families to theoretically choose or petition to attend any school in the county.

Submit Your Nomination

Build Strong, Resilient, and Inclusive Communities

Annually, the Human Rights Commission awards candidates from all over the county to honor their outstanding contributions to promoting equality for all people in Prince William County. This is demonstrated by a candidate’s leadership and excellence in any field, in either a paid or unpaid capacity, whose effectiveness and courage have advanced the cause of equality for all people of all ages.

Nominees should be those who have fought for and encouraged equality in significant and substantial ways that have enriched our community. We look forward to receiving nominations from all communities and people in Prince William County.

Reasons for Nomination:

They may have identified needs for change and found innovative solutions in sectors relating to all people; lobbied for groups and services; initiated public education and information activities; or through their lives, they’ve made outstanding and creative achievements or otherwise advanced equality for all people.

Candidates Being Nominated:

• Must be a Prince William County Resident
• May be submitted for consideration as individuals, schools, community groups, business groups, a youth from the community, etc.

Prince William County Joint Public Safety Honor Guard
Singer Karen-Leigh Albert singing the National Anthem
Keynote Speaker James "Jay" Gillispie and Chair Porter
Keynote Speaker James Gillispie
Prince William County CXO Chris Shorter and Chair Porter
UHRD Winner Chaplain Raymond Perez
Chaplain Raymond Perez
CXO Chris Shorter
UHRD Winner Martin Nohe
HRO Director Raul Torres
UHRD Winner Michael Artson
UHRD Winner Michael Artson
UHRD Winner Project Mend-A-House
UHRD Winner Riley Devereaux
UHRD Winner Riley Devereaux
UHRD Woodbridge Workers Committee
Universal Human Rights Day 2025 Winners
UHRD Winners Woodbridge Workers Committee

Past Winners

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Winner Chrissy Fauls and Commissioner Ramunda Young
Commissioner Benjamin Baldwin
Human Rights Commissioners and Councilman Ralph Smith
Human Rights Commissioners, BOCS and CXO Christopher Shorter
Human Rights Commissioners, Elijah Johnson, Deputy County Executive, Christopher Shorter, CXO, and Quintin Haynes, Deputy County Executive
Winner Dr. Vanessa Gattis w/The Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) and Commissioner Benjamin Baldwin
Prince William Human Rights Commissioners Commissioner Baldwin, Chair Porter, Commissioner Ginoba, Commissioner Johnston, Commissioner Young, Commissioner Muz, and Vice Chair BruMar
Universal Human Rights Day
Winners - Match UP
Winners - MATCH UP w/Commissioner Aaron Muz
Winner - Dr. Vanessa Gattis w/Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF)
Winner - Rabbi Elizabeth Goldstein

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