timeline

The following is a timeline of Maggie L. Walker's life and accomplishments.

1867-1869 Born July 15, 1867, in Richmond, VA, to Elizabeth Draper, a former slave and servant in Elizabeth Van Lew's home, and Eccles Cuthbert, a white abolitionist writer; Draper marries William Mitchell, Miss Van Lew's butler.

1876-1878 Helps mother by collecting and delivering laundry to white customers and observes disparate economic opportunities for blacks and whites; attends school; is baptized in First African Baptist Church; stepfather Mitchell dies. "I was not born with a silver spoon in [my] mouth, but instead, with a clothes basket almost upon my head."

1881-1883 Joins Independent Order of St. Luke; protests inequality of white and black graduation ceremonies by organizing black student school strike, the first such response in the U.S. to unequal treatment; teaches elementary school; studies accounting at night.

1886-1888 Marries Armstead Walker, Jr.., a brick contractor; quits teaching; continues activities with I.O. of St.. Luke.

1890-1894 Son Russell Eccles Talmadge born 1890; son Armstead Mitchell born 1893 (dies at seven months).

1895-1897 Establishes juvenile branch of I.O. of St.. Luke; becomes Grand Deputy Matron of the branch; son Melvin DeWitt born 1897. "As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined."--motto of the Juvenile Branch, I.O. of St.. Luke

1899 Elected Right Worthy Grand Secretary of St.. Luke, its highest rank (later becomes Secretary-Treasurer)retains position until 1934. "If our women want to avoid the traps and snares of life, they must band themselves together, organize, acknowledge leadership,... and work and business for themselves."

1901-1905 Establishes newspaper, St.. Luke Herald, 1902; charters St.. Luke Penny Savings Bank, 1903, is president until 1929; moves to 110 1/2 East Leigh Street; establishes the St.. Luke Emporium, a retail store. "We need a savings bank, chartered, officered, and run by the men and women of this Order....Let us have a bank that will take the nickels and turn them into dollars."

1915 Husband Armstead accidentally killed.

1921 Runs unsuccessfully with John Mitchell on "Lily Black" ticket; he for Virginia's governor, she for superintendent of public instruction.

1923-1927 Receives honorary Masters degree from Virginia Union University; son Russell dies.

1928 Confined to wheelchair by paralysis.

1934 Dies in Richmond on December 15 of diabetic gangrene; is buried at Evergreen Cemetery.

Maggie L. Walker Home

1867-1869	Born July 15, 1867, in Richmond, VA, to Elizabeth Draper, a former slave and servant in Elizabeth Van Lew's home, and Eccles Cuthbert, a white abolitionist writer; Draper marries William Mitchell, Miss Van Lew's butler.
1876-1878	Helps mother by collecting and delivering laundry to white customers and observes disparate economic opportunities for blacks and whites; attends school; is baptized in First African Baptist Church; stepfather Mitchell dies.	"I was not born with a silver spoon in [my] mouth, but instead, with a clothes basket almost upon my head."
1881-1883	Joins Independent Order of St. Luke; protests inequality of white and black graduation ceremonies by organizing black student school strike, the first such response in the U.S. to unequal treatment; teaches elementary school; studies accounting at night.
1886-1888	Marries Armstead Walker, Jr.., a brick contractor; quits teaching; continues activities with I.O. of St.. Luke.
1890-1894	Son Russell Eccles Talmadge born 1890; son Armstead Mitchell born 1893 (dies at seven months).
1895-1897	Establishes juvenile branch of I.O. of St.. Luke; becomes Grand Deputy Matron of the branch; son Melvin DeWitt born 1897.	"As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined."--motto of the Juvenile Branch, I.O. of St.. Luke
1899	Elected Right Worthy Grand Secretary of St.. Luke, its highest rank (later becomes Secretary-Treasurer)retains position until 1934.	"If our women want to avoid the traps and snares of life, they must band themselves together, organize, acknowledge leadership,... and work and business for themselves."
1901-1905	Establishes newspaper, St.. Luke Herald, 1902; charters St.. Luke Penny Savings Bank, 1903, is president until 1929; moves to 110 1/2 East Leigh Street; establishes the St.. Luke Emporium, a retail store.	"We need a savings bank, chartered, officered, and run by the men and women of this Order....Let us have a bank that will take the nickels and turn them into dollars."
1915	Husband Armstead accidentally killed.
1921	Runs unsuccessfully with John Mitchell on "Lily Black" ticket; he for Virginia's governor, she for superintendent of public instruction.
1923-1927	Receives honorary Masters degree from Virginia Union University; son Russell dies.
1928	Confined to wheelchair by paralysis.
1934	Dies in Richmond on December 15 of diabetic gangrene; is buried at Evergreen Cemetery.