The Martha Pennino papers document Pennino's career on Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Within the collection there are
photographs, information from different projects that Martha Pennino worked on during her career and memorabilia that Martha
Pennino collected during and after her career. The collection is dated from the early 1960s to 2005.
Martha Pennino papers, Accession #C0146, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Martha Pennino in September 1992.
Processing Information
The Pennino papers were originally attached to the larger Planned Community Archives collection currently in the Special
Collections and Archives. The Pennino papers from the Planned Community Archives collection was then combined with the Martha
Pennino Memorabilia collection, a separate collection relating to Martha Pennino. In 2009 the documents were removed and
organized into a separate collection still housed in the Special Collections and Archives at George Mason University Libraries.
The old box and folder numbers are also included as part of the new arrangement.
Processed in January 2009 by Emily Martin. EAD markup completed in January 2009 by Emily Martin.
Born in Roanoke, Virginia, Martha Pennino (1918-2004) was called the Mother of Fairfax for her long service to the county.
She was one of the longest-serving members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, spending 24 years on the board. She
was first elected in November 1967, representing what was then the Centreville District. She served as vice chairman for a
total of 17 years.
In 1985, Pennino won the Tom Bradley Regional Leadership Award. In giving her this honor, the National Association of Regional
Councils cited her efforts in developing the first energy policy for a metropolitan area, the first area car pool program,
and a fair share housing program. In 1986, Washingtonian magazine named her Washingtonian of the Year. Prior to joining the
board, Pennino was elected to three terms on the Vienna Town Council, serving as vice mayor during one of those terms. Additionally,
Pennino took a leadership role in developing the planned community of Reston, as well as embracing low-cost housing adjacent
to her office.
The Martha Pennino Collection documents Pennino's career on Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Within the collection there
are photographs, information from different projects that Martha Pennino worked on during her career and memorabilia that
Martha Pennino collected during and after her career. The collection is dated from the early 1960s to 2005.
Series one is organized in alphabetical order. This collection is mostly paperwork relating to different projects, such as
subsidizing, transportation, and the Reston Community Association. The series is dated from 1971-1990.
Series two is comprised of newsclippings. They are organized chronologically by month and year. The newsclipping cover Martha
Pennino career such as Pennino's campaigns, re-elections and community meetings. The series is dated from 1960-1989.
Series three includes photographs that document Martha Pennino's career. The photographs show Martha Pennino campaigning,
attending receptions and meeting with well know politicians including President Jimmy Carter and Senator Ted Kennedy. The
series is dated from 1960-1985.
Series four is memorabilia that Martha Pennino collected. Items in this series include awards from different organizations
such as Fox Mill Communities Preservation Association and Vienna Little League. Also in the collection is a telegram from
President Jimmy Carter and a letter from John Glenn. The series is dated from 1960-2005.
Series five is oversize. It includes three boxes of memorabilia from Martha Pennino. Included are posters and awards given
to Martha Pennino. The series is dated from 1960-1992.
The Special Collections and Archives also holds the Planned Community Archives and other personal papers and organizational
records that document Reston, Virginia, and other planned communities.
This is the largest series in the collection and is organized in alphabetic order. In the series there is information on
subsidizing housing, transportation, rezoning and other items relating to the work that Martha Pennino did while a member
of the Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County.
box: 1
Folder: 1
Bowman Distillery,
1979
244.3
box: 1
Folder: 2
Bowman Distillery,
1985
244.2
box: 1
Folder: 3
Bowman Distillery,
1989
244.1
box: 1
Folder: 3
Buses: Reston Community Buses,
1972-1980
252.4
box: 1
Folder: 4
Buses: Reston Community Buses,
1972-1980
252.5
box: 1
Folder: 5
Buses: Reston Community Buses,
1972-1980
252.6
box: 1
Folder: 6
Buses: Reston Community Buses,
1980-1984
252.7
box: 1
Folder: 7
Buses: Reston Community Buses,
1980-1984
252.8
box: 1
Folder: 8
Buses: Reston Internal Bus System,
1977-1978
253.3
box: 1
Folder: 9
Buses: Reston Internal Bus System,
1985
253.2
box: 2
Folder: 1
Buses: Reston Internal Bus System,
1990
253.1
box: 2
Folder: 2
Economic Impact of Reston on County,
1986
250.3
box: 2
Folder: 3
Embry Rucker Shelter,
1989
248.1
1.
Dedication Ceremony - Embry Rucker Shelter for the Homeless,
This series is comprised of newsclippings over the course of Martha Pennino career. The newsclippings are in chronological
order, organized by year. The newsclippings cover a variety of topics including campaigning and re-election.
This series is comprised of photographs that cover Martha Pennino entire career in Fairfax. Most of the photographs are of
meetings, dedication ceremonies and receiptions.
box: 19
Folder: 1
Campaigning, Board of Supervisors, John Glenn,
1960s-1970s
5.9
box: 19
Folder: 2
Wedding, Campaigning, Dedication Ceremonies,
1960s-1980s
5.6
box: 19
Folder: 3
Autograph from Thomson Hirst, Dedication Ceremonies,
1970s-1980s
5.9
box: 19
Folder: 4
Meetings, Receptions, Dedication Ceremonies,
1970s
5.11
box: 19
Folder: 5
Campaigning, Dedication Ceremonies,
1970s
5.10
box: 19
Folder: 6
Luncheon, Carnival, Board of Supervisors Meetings,
1974
5.1
box: 19
Folder: 7
Meeting, Ceremonies, includes President Jimmy Carter and Senator Ted Kennedy,
1978
5.2
box: 19
Folder: 8
Groundbreaking, Ceremonies, Campaigning for Re-election,
This series is comprised of memorabilia that Martha Pennino received during and after her career. Included in the collection
are magazine articles and awards from different organizations in recognization for her work over the years.
box: 20
Folder: 1
Study for Martha Pennino (Block Print),
1974
3.2
box: 20
Folder: 2
Vienna Little League,
1975-1976
3.1
box: 20
Folder: 3
Golden Spike Ceremony ,
1978
3.3
box: 20
Folder: 4
Northern Virginia Youth Services Coalition,
1987
3
box: 20
Folder: 5
Fox Mill Communities Preservation Association,
1991
3.4
box: 20
Folder: 6
Martha Pennino Portrait,
1980s
3.5
box: 20
Folder: 7
A Reception to HOnor Martha V. Pennino,
1991
3.6
box: 20
Folder: 8
Certificate of Appreciation,
1991
5.4
box: 21
Folder: 1
Women of the Year Martha V. Pennino,
1986
2.1
box: 21
Folder: 2
The Vienna Jaycees,
1987
2.2
box: 21
Folder: 3
James Madison High School,
1978
2.3
box: 21
Folder: 4
Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow with medal,
1978
2.4
box: 22
Folder: 1
Certificates of Appreciation,
1960-1990s
6.4
box: 22
Folder: 2
Walter Washington and Jack Nevius's Signatures,
1970s-1980s
6.14
box: 22
Folder: 3
Pins,
1970s-1980s
6.18
box: 22
Folder: 4
Cartoons,
1970s
6.3
box: 22
Folder: 5
Newsclippings,
1974
6.13
box: 22
Folder: 6
Campaign Brochure,
1975
6.10
box: 22
Folder: 7
Telegram from President Jimmy Carter,
1978
6.8
box: 22
Folder: 8
Fisher Reception,
1979
6.12
box: 22
Folder: 9
Reston 20th Anniversary Commendation,
1982
6.5
box: 22
Folder: 10
The Washingtonian Luncheon Invitation,
1982
6.11
box: 22
Folder: 11
Washingtonian of the Year,
1985
6.1
box: 22
Folder: 12
Transcript of a Portion of the Board of Supervisors Meeting ,
1985
6.6
box: 22
Folder: 13
Remarks by Fairfax County Executive J. Hamilton Lambert to Northern Virginia Board of Realtors Strategic Planning Committee,
1986
6.17
box: 22
Folder: 14
AMC Cancer Research Center Roast,
1986
6.2
box: 22
Folder: 15
Letter from Annie and John Glenn,
1986
6.9
box: 22
Folder: 16
Letter from George P. Shultz,
1988
6.16
box: 22
Folder: 17
Magazines,
1986-1989
6.7
box: 22
Folder: 18
Martha Pennino Reston Post Office Building Dedication Ceremony,
This series includes 3 boxes. The oversized boxes are stored separate from the rest of the collection. The documents included
are posters and awards that were given to Martha Pennino.
box: 23
Folder: 1
Pennino Tribute,
1992
399
box: 23
Folder: 2
Posters,
1980s
399
box: 24
Folder: 1
Bicentennial,
1976
1
box: 24
Folder: 2
Electoral Board of Fairfax County Certificate,
1975
1
box: 24
Folder: 3
Reston Community Association Recognization,
1970s
1
box: 24
Folder: 4
Electoral Board of Fairfax County Certificate,
1987
1
box: 24
Folder: 5
Electoral Board of Fairfax County Certificate,
1983
1
box: 24
Folder: 6
Board of Visitors of George Mason Univeristy,
1989
1
box: 24
Folder: 7
Cartoon,
1977
1
box: 24
Folder: 8
Washingtonian Plat,
1985
1
box: 24
Folder: 9
Toastmasters International Communication Achievement Award,
1985
1
box: 24
Folder: 10
Resolution from the Medical Staff, Board of Trustees and Administration of Reston Hospital Center in honor of Martha V. Pennino,
1989
1
box: 24
Folder: 11
Framed Virginia Review,
1989
1
box: 25
Folder: 1
Photograph, Fairfax County Park Services,
1972
2
box: 25
Folder: 2
Photograph, Martha Pennino and President Jimmy Carter,
1970s
2
box: 25
Folder: 3
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Award,
1978
2
box: 25
Folder: 4
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Award,
1972
2
box: 25
Folder: 5
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Award,