TRAILBLAZER
The first African- American woman to charter a bank in the US
MAGGIE L . WALKER
Job Title : President Company : St . Luke Penny Savings Bank
National Museum of American History
“ NO PERSON IS YOUR FRIEND WHO DEMANDS YOUR SILENCE OR DENIES YOUR RIGHT TO GROW ”
P erhaps the most inspirational ‘ Legend ’ of finance we ’ ve covered so far , Maggie L . Walker ( née Draper ) was a true pioneer and trailblazer . Officially the first woman of African-American descent to charter a bank in the US ( St . Luke Penny Savings Bank ), she accomplished this feat in 1903 – approximately 38 years after the abolition of slavery and 17 years before women were granted the right to vote .
Born on 15 July 1864 in Richmond , Virginia , not long after the American Civil War , Walker grew up primarily in the care of her mother , Elizabeth Draper , a laundress and former slave . At the age of fourteen , Walker
17 Jul 1864 Born
15 Dec 1934
Died became heavily involved with the Independent Order of St . Luke , an organisation dedicated to fighting racial and gender injustice , promoting education , and caring for the sick . By age 35 , she had ascended to the Order ’ s highest role of Right Worthy Grand Secretary , which she would retain until her death .
Aside from this humanitarian work , there was another strong passion in her life : business . Following a brief stint as a teacher , Walker proved herself to be a capable and innovative financier and insurance executive . In addition to herself as President , the St . Luke Penny Savings Bank also appointed several
18 August 2021