North Side in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Maggie Lena Walker (1864-1934)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021

1. Maggie Lena Walker (1864-1934) Marker

Inscription. Maggie Walker, an African American entrepreneur and civil rights activist, promoted economic empowerment for the Black community. In 1899 she was elected head of the Independent Order of Saint Luke, a mutual aid society and insurance company facing a dwindling membership. Under her leadership, the organization grew to more than 100,000 members. Walker founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903, becoming the first Black woman in the U.S. to establish and serve as president of a bank. She helped organize a major boycott of Richmond's segregated streetcars in 1904 and serve on the national boards of the NAACP and the National Association of Colored Women.

Erected 2020 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-125.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 37° 33.066′ N, 77° 26.212′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the North Side. It is on St. James Street just north of West Baker Street, on the left when traveling

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 St James St, Richmond VA 23220, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Jasper (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint Joseph Catholic Church (about 600 feet away); Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church (about 600 feet away); Friends Asylum for Colored Orphans (about 600 feet away); Charles Sidney Gilpin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Maggie Lena Walker (approx. ¼ mile away); Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (approx. ¼ mile away); Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

The St. Luke Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021

2. The St. Luke Building

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 389 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.