Upcoming Exhibition This Summer
Black voters at the polls, ca. 1944-1962.
A Black man is entering a voting booth in Miami, Florida.
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-USZ62-119976
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
August 6 marks the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which some consider to be the crowning achievement of the 1960s Civil Rights movement. It was a milestone in the long struggle to extend political representation and voting rights to Black Americans.
August 1 - November 4, 2025
From Barriers To Ballots:
The Fight for Equal Voting Rights in Virginia
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Arlington Public Library has partnered with several community organizations to tell the stories of activists, changemakers and everyday people in Arlington and Northern Virginia who fought for voting rights.
On View
Visit any of the six locations from Aug. 1 through Nov. 4 during regular open hours to see the exhibitions.
Thank You
Exhibition partners include the Arlington Historical Society, the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, the League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City and the NAACP Arlington Branch.
Special thanks to the following media contributors: Arlington County Department of Voter Registration and Elections; Bethlehem Baptist Church, Gum Springs, Virginia; City of Fairfax Regional Library, Fairfax County Public Library; Library of Congress; Library of Virginia;
Norman Rockwell Museum and Virginia Museum of Fine Art.
“From Barriers to Ballots” has generously been funded by the Friends of the Arlington Public Library (FOAL).
“The goal is to develop a culture of voting in Arlington.”
Detta Kissel, volunteer, NAACP Arlington Branch
“We are a big mixing bowl and when I put in my vote, I add my ingredient. Every time I vote, I feel like an American.”
Dr. Scott Edwin Taylor, Ph.D., Founder and President, Black Heritage Museum of Arlington
“Voting is everything. Who you are. Your chance to give worth to your being, to care for your country. All of those things which make America great.”
Brenda Faison, Former Director of Christian Education and Missions, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Gum Springs, VA
Votes For The First Time
Votes for First Time at 79 by Harris & Ewing Inc.
Mrs. Lucy O’Leary of Arlington, VA, pictured on October 15, 1936. Her horse and wagon are adorned with banners endorsing Republican Alf Landon for President and Frank Knox for Vice President in the electoral race against Franklin D. Roosevelt. At age 79, Mrs. O’Leary cast her first ever vote in favor of Landon, who lost to Roosevelt by a landslide that November.
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-DIG-hec-33957
The Charlie Clark Center for Local History
Content and research for this exhibition has been provided by the Charlie Clark Center for Local History (CCCLH).
The Charlie Clark Center for Local History (CCCLH) collects, preserves, and shares resources that illustrate Arlington County’s history, diversity and communities.
Contact the CCCLH at localhistory@arlingtonva.us or 703-228-7714 to find out how you can donate materials, photographs and memorabilia or to be a part of an oral history interview.