The Christiansburg Library will hold a program on Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. titled “The Life and Legacy of Nannie B. Hairston.”
Nannie Mae Berger Hairston (1921-2017) grew up in West Virginia, where her father worked in the coalfields. Her parents taught her the value of knowledge, kinship, and kindness by sharing their home and food with travelers and neighbors. In 1953, Hairston settled in Christiansburg, Virginia with her husband, John Hairston, and their four daughters. She worked quietly and tirelessly for her community. An advocate for civil rights, she joined the Montgomery County–Radford City–Floyd County branch of the NAACP, where she held numerous offices.
The Chapter awarded Mrs. Hairston the first Nannie B. Hairston Community Service award. Each fall, the award is given to a deserving community member.
Mrs. Hairston was also a founding member of the Montgomery County League of Women Voters. She worked to expand local employment opportunities for African-American women and opened her home to people in need.
The Virginia State NAACP, in a tribute to Women of Distinction, recognized Mrs. Hairston in 1997. She was also honored by President Jimmy Carter at the White House in 1980.
On January 9, 2006 a sculpture of Mrs. Hairston was dedicated at the Government Center of Montgomery County. The sculptor, Lawrence Bechtel, was asked, why a sculpture? “She isn’t famous. She isn’t a celebrity. She isn’t a wealthy builder, or banker. She is something more. She is an elder of the community.”
In 2013, the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library sponsored an application to honor Mrs. Hairston with The Strong Men and Women in Virginia History Award. The Strong Men and Women Program is a collaboration between the Library of Virginia and Dominion Resources. Mrs. Hairston was chosen as one of eight honorees for the inaugural recognition.
The Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library partnered with local historian and author Sheree Scarborough in order to insure the community will have a record of Mrs. Hairston and her husband’s life experiences and service.
Ms. Scarborough met with Mrs. Hairston over a period of several months and there are now over twenty hours of recorded memories. Ms. Scarborough is the proprietor of Tell Me Your Story, Inc. and has extensive experience in collecting and recording oral histories. Previously, she authored African American Railroad Workers of Roanoke: Oral Histories of the Norfolk & Western, published by History Press.
Scarborough will discuss her experience recording the memories of Mrs. Hairston. Members of the Hairston family will be presented with several resolutions honoring Mrs. Hairston and the audience will be asked to share their memories.
For more information, contact June Sayers at 540-382-6969 x223.
