Maggie Lena Walker
Personal Information
Born: 1864
Died: 1934
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: Black
Education
Richmond Colored Normal School H.S. Diploma 1883
Professional Life
Field of Study: Finance
Institution/Corporation: Virginia Union University; National Negro Business League; Richmond community Hospital
Degrees & Memberships: Member: Independent Order of St. Luke's (1878) National Association of Colored Women co-founder Richmond chapter NAACP Board member Virginia Industrial School for Girls National Negro Business League Virginia State Federation of Colored Women's Club
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 1991 Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government & International Studies established; 1978 home in Richmond declared a National Historical Site & 1985 opened as a museum
Achievements: Encouraged African-Americans in Richmond VA to harness their economic power by establishing their own institutions; founded Richmond Council of Colored Women; leader of the 1904 Richmond streetcar boycott after they initiated segregation on the city streetcars & advocated for the establishment of a Black-owned streetcar company; started the 1st Girl Scout Troop for Black girls in the South
Founder of richmond council of Colored Women
1904, was the leader of the Richmond Streetcar Boycott
Started 1st Girl Scout Troop for Black girls in the South
1903, 1st woman to charter a bank & serve as president of it, the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, VA
Her mother was a former slave
Her father's death was ruled a suicide but she believed he was murdered
Age 14, joined the Independent Order of St. Luke's, an African-American benevolent organization; held many high-ranking positions in the organization
1915, husband was killed by her son who had mistaken him for a burglar
After several mergers over the years, the bank still operates under the name Premier Bank
After an illness in 1928, was confined to a wheelchair