![Fannie W. Fitzgerald and family join Congressman John Lewis, D, Ga., and Gerry Connolly, D - Fairfax, Prince William an actor portraying Frederick Douglass at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center on Wednesday. [Photo: Submitted]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/062113-douglas.jpg)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fannie Fitzgerald went to the U.S. Capitol this week for the unveiling of a statue of Frederick Douglass. The retired Prince William County teacher, now 82-years-old with a school in Dale City named after her, was one of the first educators sent to integrate public schools in Prince William.
Fitzgerald joined Congressman Gerry Connolly for the ceremony, whose office put out a press release about the event:
Mrs. Fitzgerald’s experiences in 1964 and those first years of school integration were not easy for her, but “I knew it was something I had to do,” she said. Those early efforts by Mrs. Fitzgerald and her colleagues paved the way in the county. The Prince William County public schools of 2013 are a majority minority school system with a commitment to a diverse and multi-cultural learning environment.
Fitzgerald’s daughter, Benita Fitzgerald Mosely, also has a street named after her in Dale City. Is the same street in which Fitzgerald Elementary School is located on.
The Frederick Douglass statue was unveiled Wednesday in the Capitol Visitor Center.
