Description
Maggie Lena Walker was born to Elizabeth Draper, a former slave, and cook in the home of Elizabeth Van Lew. At age 14, she joined the Order of St. Luke which is an African-American organization dedicated to promoting self-help, humanitarian work, and integrity. She was active in this organization throughout her life, starting their newspaper, chartering their bank and serving as grand secretary until she died. A trained teacher, she taught in a grade school until marrying Armstead Walker Jr., and together they purchased a home, where they raised two sons.
First African American Bank President
Maggie Walker assumed control of the Order of St. Luke when it was on the brink of bankruptcy. She devised a plan to save the organization, founded their newspaper and department store, chartered the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903, serving as the bank’s first president and later served as chairman of the board, thus, becoming the first female African-American to charter a bank in the U.S. She succeeded in keeping the bank solvent through the Great Depression merging it with two other banks in 1929.
This Maggie Lena Walker History Mug is part of our biographical Civil Rights series which includes many unique individuals who played an important part in molding our U.S. history.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
