Sunday, September 5, 2010

HONORING AN AFRICAN AMERICAN TRAILBLAZER: YES, YOU, MAGGIE L. WALKER! PLEASE STAND UP!

This post was originally Published 3/29/09. We are reviving this former monthly feature: "Honoring an African American Trailblazer".
Maggie L. Walker
We just recently decided to re-incorporate a monthly tribute/spotlight to a great African or African American trailblazer. The profiles will not only shed light on the lives and contributions made by these heroes, but also give us a reason to read and research brave people who have some responsibility for the opportunities that we all have today. Aside from the educational aspect, there's a great spiritual fullfillment with doing this. And, that above all, is what we must continue to cutlivate and nuture with each new generation. With that said, our first spotlight is on Maggie Lena Walker (July 15, 1867-December 15, 1934) out of Richmond, VA.

Via africanamericantrailblazers.com

"Maggie L. Walker achieved national prominence as a businesswoman and community leader. Most notably, she was the first African American female bank founder in the United States." From one of her speeches on the work that needs to be done:

“The trouble with us as a people and as individuals is that we profess with our LIPS but forget with our HANDS and our FEAR. We preach great things for the race; we read great papers concerning the race; we form great associations, leagues, and clubs for the benefit of the race—but have the most remarkable faculty for forgetting TO DO the things about which we pray, lecture, and speak.” (“If Christ Came to Washington,” 1909).

No doubt that we can use her innovative-ness and business genius now, during these economic times! For Mrs. Maggie Walker's entire story, click the post title or copy and paste the link below.

Article in the trunk:
http://www.africanamericantrailblazers.com/images/African%20American%20Trailblazers%20Profile.pdf

3 comments:

  1. FYI....I think we all thought it...

    Madam Walker can be said to have been one of the people who “popularized” the use of the hot comb among black women because she taught many women how to use it, but she did NOT invent it.

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  2. I think some of us confuse Maggie L.Walker with Madame C.J. Walker. Both are notable African American women as both made substantial sacrifices and certainly both made substantial contributions to African American history in the United States of America. Maggie Lena Walker, is most notably (as Blaze pointed out) remembered for being the First American Woman (African American or otherwise) to become President of any local bank in the country. Maggie L. Walker graduated from Normal School in 1883; a protest by the ten African American students over being forced to graduate in a church led to a compromise allowing them to graduate at their school. Maggie began teaching. It was not Maggie's first involvement in something beyond the ordinary for a young girl. In high school, she joined a fraternal organization in Richmond, the Independent Order of St. Luke Society. This organization provided health insurance and burial benefits for members, and also was involved in self-help and racial pride activities.
    In 1903, Maggie Walker saw an opportunity for the Society and formed a bank, the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, and she served as president of the bank until 1932. This made her the first (known) woman president of a bank in the United States. We salute Maggie L.Walker, an African American Pioneer, no doubt!!

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  3. okay the daBlogPound caught my error...LOL

    all I saw was Walker and I just "ASS"umed...so u know what I just made out of myself right???? LOL

    She was the first African American woman to charter a bank in the United States....my bad...LOL...better go fix this on Blaze Adams page 2....LOL

    I had Black History at the Shaw in the 10th grade....she gave me a B+ because she said I wasnt a senior and it was a senior class and said I hope you understand....pppfffttt!!! and again in college..."A" all the way....I love Black History...I should have slowed down...my teachers would be like whoa....LOL...

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