Jessie M. Rattley
Jessie Menifield Rattley (May 4, 1929 – March 2, 2001) served as the mayor of Newport News, Virginia from 1986 to 1990, the first woman and first African-American to hold the mayorship.That same year Mrs. Rattley began her teaching career at Huntington High School in Newport News, Virginia, where she established the business department.In seeking employment opportunities for her students, she began her lifelong commitment to civil rights and political involvement.During her tenure as mayor, she received some criticism from residents due to her controversial plan to expand HUD and federally subsidized low-income housing into what was the more recently upscale sections of the city, such as Denbigh.On August 9, 2005, the Newport News City Hall and the government buildings immediately surrounding it were rededicated the Jessie Menifield Rattley Municipal Center in her honor.