Fran Richardson

Served as a Red Cross volunteer in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany during World War II.

Worked for the U.S. Information Service in India, taught English at Zhongshan University in Guangzhou, China, and facilitated elections in Bosnia.

An accomplished writer of reports, papers, & stories on subjects ranging from improving Red Cross recreation services for hospitalized soldiers to life in Uganda.

While living in Falls Church, active in the League of Women Voters, For Love of Children, the American Association of University Women, Citizens for a Better City, and the YWCA.

Helped found the Falls Church Housing Corporation and was instrumental in establishing what is now the Falls Church Homeless Shelter.

Received the 1988 Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Carroll V. Shreve Aware for meritorious humanitarian service, acknowledging her key role in the League of Women Voters as the author of its Handbook for Leaders of Organizations, later translated into Spanish and Korean.

At 64, began teaching journalism at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, remaining there as an adjunct professor for five years.

Received the 2000 Mattie Gundry Award for outstanding women in the Falls Church community from The Falls Church Commission on Women.