African American Firsts
Madam C.J. Walker December 23, 1867 to May 25, 1919 |
The first Black female millionaire. She developed a corporation which made and sold hair care products for African American women.
PICTURE: Top L: Maggie Walker. Top R: Advertisement used to sell Ms. Walker's hair care products. Bottom: Ms. Walker's and her daughter's gravestone. Video: The Legacy of Madam Walker, pt.1.
INTERRED: Woodlawn Cemetery, Webster Avenue & E. 233rd Street, Bronx, NY 10470. Phone: 718-920-0500, toll free: 877-496-6352.
SUBMITTED: May 25, 2009. Picture of Madam C.J. Walker added May 25, 2009. Picture of adverisement and gravestone take May 23, 2009.
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Maggie Lena (Mitchell) Walker July 15, 1867 to December 15, 1934 |
Former slave and servant in the home and mansion of prominent Richmond businessman, John Van Lew. After his death, Ms. Walker was freed by his daughter Elizabeth Van Lew, a Union supporter who operated a spy ring during the Civil War. In 1901, Maggie Walker established the St. Luke Herald Newspaper. In 1903, she founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank and in doing so became the first women/first Black woman to be president of a bank. She established the St. Luke Emporium in 1905. It was the first African American retail store Richmond, VA and is believed to be one of the first African American retail stores in the country. As a member and trustee of the National Association of Colored Women, she was instrumental in persuading the group to purchase the home of Frederick Douglass and turn it into a museum and historical center. She also worked as a cook in the mansion of Elizabeth Van Lew, a Union supporter who operated a spy ring during the Civil War.
PICTURES: Top L: Picture of Maggie Walker Courtesy of the National Park Service, Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site. Top R: Monument at Maggie Walker's grave. Second Row L: Her home located at 110 1/2 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223 , National Historic Site, www.nps.gov/malw/. Second Row R: The St. Luke Building on St. James Street, Richmond, VA. Third Row L: Front of Maggie Walker's gravestone. Third Row R: Back of her gravestone. Fourth Row: Top of Maggie Walker's gravesone. Fifth Row L: Husband's gravestone. Fifth Row R: Oldest son's gravestone. Sixth Row L: Gravestone of second oldest son, Melvin Walker. Sixth Row R: Mother's gravestone. Video: African American Trailblazers.
INTERRED: Evergreen Cemetery, Evergreen Road, Richmond, VA. SUBMITTED: September 19, 2008. Picture of Maggie Walker added September 19, 2008. Picture of home and St. Luke Building taken June 20, 2008. Pictures of graves taken September 19, 2008.
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Maggie Lena (Mitchell) Walker (continued) |
In 1915, it was reported to Maggie Walker's son, Russell Walker that a burglar was on the roof of their home. As Russell searched for the intruder, he saw someone in the house and fired his gun. It was his father and he was dead. Russell was tried and found not guilty. However some people in the community questioned if Russell killed his father in order to best next in line for the families inheritance.
PICTURES: Top L: Step-father and brother's gravestone. Top R: Aunt's grave stone. Bottom L: H. Maurice Payne, relationship unknown. Bottom R: Gravestone of friends.
INTERRED: Evergreen Cemetery, Evergreen Road, Richmond, VA. SUBMITTED: September 19, 2008. Pictures of graves taken Serptember 19, 2008.
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Pictures taken and submitted by Percy White unless otherwise indicated. African American History, African American Culture, African American Churches, African American Cemeteries, African American Schools, Places of Interest in African American History |