Mattie Gundry

Moved to Falls Church in 1893 and in 1899 established the Virginia Training School for children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities; ran the school until 1947, becoming a nationally renowned educator and respected leader in the field.

Elected by the Falls Church Town Council in 1908 to serve as a school trustee and served briefly—the first woman in Virginia to do so—but was declared ineligible by the county superintendent and circuit court because she was a woman and was ineligible to vote.

Helped form and lead the Women’s Suffrage League of Fairfax in 1913, continuing to actively advocate for women’s right to vote until the 19th Amendment passed in 1920.

Became one of the first two women elected to the Falls Church Town Council in 1921 and served three terms.

Helped establish the Falls Church Bank in 1906 and served as a director and officer on the board, the first and only woman, for the next 37 years.

Served as a longtime member and officer of the Village Improvement Society.