Remembering a Legacy: Celebrating the Life and Achievements of Pauline Mitchell

The following information is compiled from multiple sources, including reflections from various VPC members and an obituary.

Longtime VPC member Pauline Mitchell died peacefully on September 24, 2020.

Pauline’s career in communications and public relations was so distinguished that she was inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame in 1998.

Her diverse work experience included holding positions as corporate director of community relations and television producer at WCVE, information director at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, vice-president of Ashton Mitchell and Associates, adjunct professor at Mary Baldwin College, and director of news and information and director of special projects, both for Chesterfield County.

Pauline took a keen interest in mentoring others and won many professional honors and awards, notably with the Virginia Press Women (now VPC) and NFPW.

Pam Stallsmith, longtime VPC member and opinions editor at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, wrote in the Oct. 2 editorial pages:
Virginia lost a ray of sunshine on Sept. 24 with the passing of Pauline Mitchell, 90, of Powhatan County. The consummate communications professional, Mitchell left her mark on numerous organizations, both through her work and her extensive community involvement. She was well known to us as the highly respected, longtime public information officer for Chester eld County, as well as through Virginia Press Women (now Virginia Professional Communicators), where she served as a mentor to many. She rightfully was inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame in 1998. Among her many accomplishments, she helped found Henricus Historical Park, a colonial living history museum in Chester eld. Mitchell personified grace and aplomb, and she will be missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family.

“Pauline was savvy about communications, interested in other people, just an all-around great role model, and a great person. She arranged one of my favorite-ever VPC eld trips, to the historic Eppington Plantation in Chester eld County. Dating to 1768, it was the home of Thomas Jefferson’s sister and her family. Sally Hemings and two of Jefferson’s daughters lived there for a time. I could just feel the layers of history present in that place, which has not undergone many alterations over the centuries. Thank you, Pauline, for the gift of that experience.” —Julie Campbell

Her full obituary, which further details her life and legacy, is available
here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesdispatch/name/pauline-allen-mitchell-obituary?pid=196850681&fbclid=IwAR2hBUxxbN5wWk9QfuG_udYF-VyTTeOofHAuUsaZMyLMT828yiDGhmX0DLU