Early Life and Family
Key Facts
- Maggie L Walker was an important African American leader and entrepreneur.
- She broke unfair laws and became the first Black woman to start a bank in the United States.
- She was also the first Black woman to be the president of a bank.
- Walker’s bank was called the Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, Virginia.
- The bank was the oldest bank led by an African American in the United States.
- Walker became the leader of the Independent Order of Saint Luke, a group that helped Black Americans come together.
- She organized projects that helped the African American community and encouraged investment and collective action.
- Walker’s leadership set an example for many other women.
- She faced social, economic, and political barriers in her life and business ventures but achieved important improvements for African Americans.
- Walker was an activist against discrimination and segregation and supported the antilynching movement.
- She co-founded the Richmond Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Council of Colored Women.
- Walker also helped organize a boycott against segregated seating on streetcars in Richmond.
- Maggie L Walker died on December 15, 1934.
Maggie Lena Walker was born on July 15, 1864, in Richmond, Virginia, to Elizabeth Draper, a former slave, and Eccles Cuthbert, a white abolitionist writer. Her mother worked as a servant in the home of Elizabeth Van Lew, a prominent abolitionist and Union spy during the American Civil War. (Encyclopedia Virginia, 2020)
Education and Marriage
Walker attended public schools and Richmond Colored Normal School, where she trained as a teacher. She married Armstead Walker Jr. in 1886 and taught for three years before resigning due to a policy prohibiting married women from being employed. (Encyclopedia Virginia, 2020; Women’s History, 2017)
Leadership in the Independent Order of Saint Luke
In 1881, Walker joined the Independent Order of Saint Luke, a fraternal organization that provided support and insurance to African Americans. She rose through the ranks, becoming Grand Deputy Matron in 1895 and Right Worthy Grand Secretary in 1899, a position she held until her death in 1934. (Encyclopedia Virginia, 2020; Women’s History, 2017)
Establishment of the Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank
In 1903, Walker chartered the Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank, the first bank in the United States founded and operated by an African American woman. The bank aimed to provide financial services to the Black community and promote economic self-sufficiency. (Encyclopedia Virginia, 2020; Women’s History, 2017)
Other Business Ventures
Walker also established the Saint Luke Herald, a newspaper, and the Saint Luke Emporium, a department store. These ventures aimed to provide employment opportunities for African Americans and cater to their needs. (Encyclopedia Virginia, 2020; Women’s History, 2017)
Activism and Legacy
Walker was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and social justice. She co-founded the Richmond Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Council of Colored Women. She also participated in the boycott against segregated seating on Richmond streetcars in 1904. (Encyclopedia Virginia, 2020; Women’s History, 2017)
Walker died on December 15, 1934, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneer in Black entrepreneurship and activism. Her home in Richmond is now a National Historic Site, and the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies was established in her honor. (Encyclopedia Virginia, 2020; Women’s History, 2017)
Sources
- Encyclopedia Virginia: https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/walker-maggie-lena-1864-1934/
- National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/people/maggie-l-walker.htm
- Women’s History: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/maggie-lena-walker
FAQs
When was Maggie L. Walker born?
Maggie L. Walker was born on July 15, 1864, in Richmond, Virginia.
What was Maggie L. Walker’s most significant accomplishment?
Maggie L. Walker’s most significant accomplishment was founding the Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank, the first bank in the United States founded and operated by an African American woman.
What other organizations did Maggie L. Walker establish?
In addition to the Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank, Maggie L. Walker also established the Saint Luke Herald, a newspaper, and the Saint Luke Emporium, a department store.
What was Maggie L. Walker’s role in the civil rights movement?
Maggie L. Walker was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and social justice. She co-founded the Richmond Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Council of Colored Women.
What awards or recognition did Maggie L. Walker receive?
Maggie L. Walker received an honorary master’s degree from Virginia Union University in 1927. Her home in Richmond is now a National Historic Site, and the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies was established in her honor.
What challenges did Maggie L. Walker face in her life and career?
Maggie L. Walker faced social, economic, and political barriers as an African American woman in the post-Civil War South. She overcame these challenges through her determination, hard work, and leadership skills.
What is Maggie L. Walker’s legacy?
Maggie L. Walker’s legacy is as a pioneer in Black entrepreneurship and activism. She paved the way for other African Americans to achieve economic success and social justice.
How can I learn more about Maggie L. Walker?
You can learn more about Maggie L. Walker by visiting her National Historic Site in Richmond, Virginia, or by reading books and articles about her life and work.