Martha E. Dawson Ed. D.

1999 Honoree

The late Rev. John Jasper Eaton and Sarah Cousins Eaton’s life goal was to ensure that their four children would be well educated. After the loss of her husband, Mrs. Eaton engaged in domestic work to pay the tuition for the children to attend parochial school rather than the then-segregated schools for Blacks. The oldest of those four children, Dr. Martha E. Dawson, would come to be recognized as an international leader of higher and elementary education.

Dr. Dawson recently retired from her position as provost and vice president for academic affairs at her alma mater, Virginia State University, having served in it since 1993. Currently, she is the chief executive officer of 4M Executive Coaching Team in Hampton, Virginia.

The Richmond native earned a bachelor of science degree, with a major in elementary education and a minor in history, from Virginia State University. Several years later, she received her master’s and doctoral degrees from Indiana University, Bloomington.

Early in her career, Dr. Dawson served as an elementary school teacher at Van De Vyer Catholic School in Richmond. She also served as a supervisor of primary teachers in the Richmond Public Schools.

Her contributions to two of Virginia’s premier historically Black institutions have been remarkable. At Hampton University, she served as chair of the Department of Elementary Education, vice president for academic affairs, and director of the Living History Research Project. Virginia State University blossomed during her tenure as dean of the School of Education, and provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The National Conference of Christians and Jews and Colonial Coast Girl Scout Council are only a few of the organizations that have benefitted from Dr. Dawson’s expertise and generosity. Her professional and personal accomplishments have been honored by the U.S. Department of Army, the Hampton (Virginia) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Peninsula YWCA.

Dr. Dawson, the mother of three, continues to do what she does best: teach and guide America’s youth. To them, she extends these words of wisdom: “Take time to show initiative and go beyond what is expected at home, school, or in the community.”