Harriet "Hattie" NF Walker

Hattie N.F. Walker became Right Worthy Grand Secretary for the Independent Order of St. Luke in 1937

NPS Photo/Maggie L. Walker NHS

Quick Facts

Significance:

Daughter-in-Law to Maggie L. Walker and Right Worthy Grand Secretary of the Independent Order of St. Luke

Place of Birth:

Richmond, Virginia

Date of Birth:

c. 1892

Place of Death:

Chicago, IL

Date of Death:

August 4, 1974

Place of Burial:

Bronx, Bronx County, New York

Cemetery Name:

Woodlawn Cemetery

Hattie N.F. Walker became a vital part of the Walker household at 110 1/2 Leigh Street when she married Russell Walker in 1912 and became daughter-in-law to Maggie Lena Walker. The influence of her mother-in-law led Hattie to become owner of the house and she perserved it in her memory for generations to come.

Hattie Naomi Frazier was born in Richmond, but she grew up in Harlem, New York City. Hattie's mother, originally from Richmond, forged a very close friend with Maggie Lena Walker when growing up and they remained close for their whole lives. In 1912, close friends would become relatives when Hattie Frazier would marry Maggie L. Walker's oldest son, Russell Walker. Hattie and Russell moved into the Walker home after being married and grew with the birth of their daughter, Maggie Laura Walker, in 1918.

Throughout her time as a resident at 110 ½ E. Leigh St., Hattie regularly returned to New York City to visit family and at the beginning of the 1920s, she moved there for a couple of years where she achieved her Masters degree from Columbia University and worked for Dr. W.E.B. DuBois at The Crisis, the NAACP's official magazine.

After Russell Walker's untimely death in 1923, Hattie and her daughter Maggie Laura returned to Richmond to live with the Walker family at 110 ½ E. Leigh St. Upon returning to Richmond Hattie Walker worked for the Independent Order of St. Luke as a stenographer, but moved through the ranks of the organization becoming one of Maggie L. Walker's most trusted advisors. 

Shortly after Maggie L. Walker’s death in 1934, Hattie became owner of 110 ½ E. Leigh St. and decided to maintain the home as a memorial for her mother-in-law. She kept the furniture, design and artwork of the house just as Maggie L. Walker had left them. In 1937, Hattie became Right Worthy Grand Secretary of the Independent Order of St. Luke, the same position Maggie L. Walker held for over 30 years. Upon her death in 1974, her daughter Maggie Laura Walker Lewis inherited 110 1/2 E. Leigh Street, carrying on her mother's mission keeping the house as a museum for Maggie L. Walker. Even though she was not related by blood to Maggie L. Walker, Hattie N.F. Walker spent 40 years of her life protecting the memory of Maggie L. Walker and is an integral reason the Maggie L. Walker historic home has a high percentage of original artifacts today.