03/12/2026
Celebrate Women’s History Month with us as we honor a local titan of education and resilience!
As the Prince William NAACP ACT-SO Team, we are continuously inspired by the young Black excellence we see in our community. But that excellence stands on a foundation built by giants. Today, we honor the “Lady of Manassas”— the incredible Jennie Dean.
From Enslavement to Empowerment ✨
Born into slavery in Loudoun County, Jennie Dean didn’t just dream of a better future; she built it with her own hands. Despite having limited formal schooling herself, she understood a fundamental truth: Education is the ultimate tool for liberation.
The Legacy of the Manassas Industrial School 🏫
In 1893, Jennie Dean realized her vision by founding the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth.
• A Beacon of Hope: For over 40 years, it stood as the only secondary school available to African Americans in Northern Virginia.
• Holistic Growth: The school didn’t just teach academics; it provided vocational training in blacksmithing, tailoring, and cooking, ensuring students could thrive in any economy.
• Community Funded: Jennie spent years traveling to D.C., New York, and Philadelphia, tirelessly fundraising to keep the doors open for our youth.
💡 Why Her Story Matters Today
At ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics), we carry Jennie Dean’s torch. She proved that when we invest in the minds of our youth, we change the trajectory of history.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s remember that the classrooms our children sit in today were made possible by the grit and grace of women like Jennie.
“I have done what I could, and I hope that others will take up the work where I leave it off.” —Jennie Dean
