In this new era of progressivism, changes are being made across the United States to better represent the people of today. Divisive and offensive monuments, statues and names of buildings are being removed and or renamed respectively to honor persons who have made contributions to the country and communities in the past.

It has been strongly suggested that two schools in Prince William County (Manassas) be renamed. These schools are Stonewall Jackson High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle School. This petition is created with the sole purpose of bringing an individual to light who is deserving of being recognized for their contributions to Manassas. To honor this person with a school named after her would be the culmination of an amazing story both known and lost to time.   

On July 21, 1861 at The First Battle of Manassas, Lucinda "Lucy" Griffin, a young African American slave girl risked her life to assist an elderly woman at "The Henry House" on Spring Hill.  Lucy was actually owned by Alexander Compton, a neighbor of Judith Henry's and wartime minister of the Sudley Methodist Church.  

As the battle drew closer to The Henry House, Lucinda Griffin, age 14, remained at Spring Hill with Judith Henry and two of her grown children John and Ellen.  She was the first African American wounded in this historic battle and the fist known African American to be wounded in the Civil War.  She escaped with wounds, notably to her right arm.  Those who knew her remembered that she carried her arm stiffly as a result of her wounds.   

Imagine being 14 years old, the potential age of a student at either of these aforementioned schools. In the heat of a battle where thousands of men would sacrifice their lives, be wounded or captured, a young woman of color would put her life in jeopardy to save white woman who like many at the time owned slaves. The bravery justifies remembrance. But there is more to Lucy’s story; much more.

After the war she settled in nearby Gainesville, Virginia and worked as a cook and laundress to Cyrus C. Marstellar (of which Marstellar Middle School was named).  She was a mother of 3 children, lived her entire life in Manassas and sadly died of pneumonia at the age of 35.

While her name is known to staunch Civil War historians, Lucy’s family had to research her post burial history and amazingly was able to locate her grave in an old, forgotten and overgrown graveyard less than a mile from the Manassas Battlefield.

Her bravery was already mentioned. It is her ties to this town that clearly show she was one of the first members of this community. Her story is profound and her presence and sacrifice at what is widely considered the first significant battle of the Civil War cannot per understated. The idea that someone with historical significance in this community could be lost to time, left in an abandoned graveyard and then be found, her story shared and now have the opportunity to have her name visible for all who walk though the halls of one of these Manassas schools is an incredible story. It also would say to each and every student who attends that school that they matter, that their contributions matter and that the hope that history might remember them and their honorable deeds is within their destiny.

Summarized, Lucinda “Lucy” Griffin is a pioneer in the history of Manassas and should be recognized for her contributions to this historic battle and Prince William County at a dark time in this country's history. This honor has been earned, a sacrifice made in blood and this woman’s story and name needs to ring throughout Prince William County as loud as anyone else who has had the honor of having a school or other building named after them.

Please sign this petition to have at least one of these schools be renamed Lucinda “Lucy” Griffin High or Middle School.