Virginia Potter Held (born October 28, 1929) is an American moral, social/political and feminist philosopher whose work on the ethics of care sparked significant research into the ethical dimensions of providing care for others and critiques of the traditional roles of women in society.

[2] She holds that care is fundamental to human institutes and practices, indeed to our survival.

Tong and Williams[3] quote: "There can be no ju[s]tice without care…for without care no child would survive and there would be no persons to respect.

"[5] Held's work on the morality of political violence viewed through the window of ethics of care has also been significantly influential.

[6] Held was named Distinguished Professor at the City University of New York – Graduate Center and Hunter College in 1996.