Martha V. Pennino

Martha Virginia Pennino (March 7, 1918 - September 17, 2004) was the supervisor from the Centreville district from 1968 to 1992.

Pennino had previously served three terms on the Vienna Town Council prior to her election to the board in 1967. She defeated incumbent C. Meade Stull as well as William W. Denlinger and Owen W. Clarke for the Democratic nomination as the candidate from the Centreville district. She would go on to defeat Republican William J. Thaler by 47 votes in the general election.

Pennino would face Thaler again in the 1971 election, along with independent Fred McConnell.

In 1974, Pennino sought the Democratic nomination for Virginia's 10th congressional district, but lost to Arlington County board member Joseph L. Fisher.

Pennino considered a run against Chairman John F. Herrity, but announced on February 9, 1979 that she would instead seek a fourth term representing the Centreville district. She easily defeated Republican challenger Edward M. Jacobs in the November 6 election.

Considered after 22 years a significant force in Fairfax County politics, Pennino ran unopposed in the November 8, 1983 election.

In 1984 Pennino, who had by now earned the sobriquet "Mother Fairfax", was aggressively wooed to again seek the Democratic nomination for Virginia's 10th congressional district. Ultimately, Pennino announced on February 15 that she would not seek the seat.

Pennino ran for her sixth term on the Board in 1987, defeating Republican challenger Linda K. Douglas.

The election of November 5, 1991 marked the end of the 73-year-old Pennino's long career as supervisor when she was defeated by Republican Robert B. Dix, Jr..