Virginia Young Lee
Virginia Young Lee | |
|---|---|
| Born | Virginia Dare Young November 22, 1906 McComas, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | January 11, 1992 (aged 85) |
Resting place | Williams Memorial Park |
| Occupation | Librarian |
| Spouse |
Loyd Alexander Lee (divorced) |
| Awards | Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree, 2025 |
Virginia Dare Young Lee (née Young; November 22, 1906 – January 11, 1992) was a librarian at the Gainsboro Branch Library in Roanoke, Virginia.[1][2][3] Lee earned recognition for her advocacy for Black literature during the Harlem Renaissance and for mentorship of young librarians in Virginia.
Early life and education
Virginia Dare Young was born on November 22, 1906, in McComas, West Virginia, to Robert D. Young and Lula B. Young.[1] She was raised in Roanoke, Virginia and attended Lucy Addison High School where she graduated as class Valedictorian in 1924.[1] Lee graduated from the Hampton Institute's School of Library Science (present-day Hampton University).[1]
Career
Following graduation Lee worked at LeMoyne Junior College and Gilmer School in Roanoke, Virginia.[1]
In 1928, Lee became the fourth librarian of the Gainsboro Branch Library of Roanoke Public Libraries.[1] The Gainsboro Branch was one of the first libraries in the South for Black citizens.[4]
While working at the Gainsboro Branch, Lee grew the libraries' collection of Black literature.[5] She wrote to prominent African Americans such as George Washington Carver, Marian Anderson, and Paul R. Williams, soliciting biographies, sheet music, photographs, and other materials to build the collection.[4]
When city officials demanded Lee dispose of the collection in the mid-1940s, she moved the collection to the basement of the library and continued to collect and distribute the books in secret.[1]
In 2023, a historic marker was dedicated to the Gainsboro Branch Library by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.[6]
Personal life and legacy
Lee was married to Loyd Alexander Lee, a secretary, but later divorced.[7][8][9][3]
Lee died on January 11, 1992, in Roanoke, Virginia and was buried at Williams Memorial Park.[2][3]
In 2025, Lee was awarded the Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree, by the Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy.[10][11]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lee, Virginia Dare Young (April 22, 2025). Koehler Mizak, Megan; Wigger, Caylin (eds.). "A Guide to the Virginia Y. Lee Celebrity Memorabilia Collection". Virginia Room Digital Collection. Roanoke, West Virginia: Roanoke Public Libraries. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- 1 2 "Virginia Young Lee [Virginia Dare Young Lee] [Virginia Lee]". Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007. 231569913. Woodlawn, Maryland: Social Security Administration. 1992.
- 1 2 3 "Virginia Young Lee". Commonwealth of Virginia - Certificate of Death. 92–002346. Richmond, Virginia: Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. 1992.
- 1 2 Helton, Laura (2024). In Scattered and Fugitive Things: How Black Collectors Created Archives and Remade History. Columbia University Press. pp. 81–105.
- ↑ Helton, Laura (2024). Scattered and Fugitive Things: How Black Collectors Created Archives and Remade History. Columbia University Press.
- ↑ Montesinos, Patsy (September 14, 2023). ""It was the only place we could go" Historical marker unveiled at Gainsboro Library". WDBJ7. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Loyd Lee". 1940 United States Federal Census. Census Place: Roanoke, Roanoke City, Virginia, Roll: m-t0627-04327, Page: 15B, Enumeration District: 119-14. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of the Census; National Archives and Records Administration. 1940.
- ↑ "Virginia Lee". 1940 United States Federal Census. Census Place: Roanoke, Roanoke City, Virginia, Roll: m-t0627-04327, Page: 15B, Enumeration District: 119-14. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of the Census; National Archives and Records Administration. 1940.
- ↑ "Lloyd Alexander Lee". WWII Draft Registration Cards For Virginia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947. Records of the Selective Service System, 147, Box: 443. St. Louis, Missouri: National Archives at St. Louis. 1942.
- ↑ "Virginia Young Lee (1906 - 1992)". Virginia Changemakers. Richmond, Virginia: Library of Virginia. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ↑ "2025 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History Honorees". Library of Virginia. Richmond, Virginia: Library of Virginia. 2025. Archived from the original on September 4, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.