Virginia Tucker Historical Marker Celebration

Virginia Layden “Ginna” Tucker of Hertford, NC, was a North Carolina College for Women (NCCW, now UNC Greensboroi) graduate whose pioneering work in aeronautics and mechanical engineering paved a path for women in STEM fields. Through her work for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA, now NASA) to her research at Northrop Aviation Corporation to her involvement with the Society of Women Engineers, Tucker used her NCCW education to become a trailblazer in aviation research. Thanks to research conducted by Meredith College history students, Tucker (Class of 1930) will be honored with a roadside marker through the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker program. Professor of History Dan Fountain’s Spring 2025 “Meredith College History” class worked with Professor of History Angela Robbins and UNCG University Archivist Erin Lawrimore to develop the proposal. The marker will be placed on Market Street near the UNCG campus entrance. On Monday, October 5 at 10am, a dedication ceremony will take place at the School of Music Building’s Organ Hall (100 McIver Street). The event will feature a talk about Tucker’s life and work as well as recognition of the students whose work helped make the marker possible. A reception will be held in the Organ Hall Atrium, where visitors can see an historical exhibit of material related to Tucker as well as other UNCG women in the science, technology, and mathematics fields.