Freedom Fighter. Virginia Steen gained national attention as she fought for nearly five years to free her husband, Alann, who was one of four people taken hostage in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1987. She was honored by the Detroit News in 1992, as a Michiganian of the Year, and was honored by President George H.W. Bush for her actions. Born to John and Dorothy Rose, Virginia grew up in Jackson, Michigan, and attended the University of Michigan where she earned a BA in Art History. She received her Master's degree from the University of Iowa and was doing doctoral course work when she accepted a postion to teach fine arts at Beirut University College during the Lebanese Civil War. It was there she met her husband, Alann, who was also a professor, and they were married in Hawaii on July 24, 1986. They had one daughter, Alia. After Alann was taken hostage, Virginia stayed in Lebanon, working for his release until the U.S. State Department asked all Americans to leave Lebanon. Returning to the United States, she continued to work with the government until he was freed Dec. 3, 1991. Deflecting praise for her efforts, she said in an interview, "What I did was not courageous at all. When something terrible happens to your family... you have to... fight, and stand up and do something." Virginia died from complications from the flu.
Freedom Fighter. Virginia Steen gained national attention as she fought for nearly five years to free her husband, Alann, who was one of four people taken hostage in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1987. She was honored by the Detroit News in 1992, as a Michiganian of the Year, and was honored by President George H.W. Bush for her actions. Born to John and Dorothy Rose, Virginia grew up in Jackson, Michigan, and attended the University of Michigan where she earned a BA in Art History. She received her Master's degree from the University of Iowa and was doing doctoral course work when she accepted a postion to teach fine arts at Beirut University College during the Lebanese Civil War. It was there she met her husband, Alann, who was also a professor, and they were married in Hawaii on July 24, 1986. They had one daughter, Alia. After Alann was taken hostage, Virginia stayed in Lebanon, working for his release until the U.S. State Department asked all Americans to leave Lebanon. Returning to the United States, she continued to work with the government until he was freed Dec. 3, 1991. Deflecting praise for her efforts, she said in an interview, "What I did was not courageous at all. When something terrible happens to your family... you have to... fight, and stand up and do something." Virginia died from complications from the flu.
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