Maggie Lena Walker and African American Community Development

Abstract

One of the unsung heroines of the African American tradition of community development is Maggie Lena Walker. Walker was the first woman in the United States to establish a bank that still exists today. She also started a merchandise department store, operated a newspaper, and was a prominent leader in a major African American mutual aid organization—the Independent Order of St. Luke. This article discusses Walker’s community development contributions and examines their relevance for contemporary community practice with African Americans.

Measuring the Impact of a Community Extension Program in the Philippines

“…Overall, community development practice is often described as being distributive, participative, and focused on human development (Pandey, 1981). Schiele (2005) perceives community development as a collective problem-solving, self-directed and empowerment pursuit. Issues of drug addiction, for example, are handled not only by the community leaders and local government but also by the community members and families themselves in developing solutions.…”

Constructive Noncooperation as Political Resistance

“…From the earliest days in the New World, African Americans have created independent Black media, women's associations, churches, financial and commercial enterprises, educational institutions, and political and civic associations (Carlton-LaNey, 2001). Responding to the marginalization of African Americans from dominant society, these institutions provided the financial, human, and social capital needed for personal and cultural survival, resistance, and liberation (Finkelman, 2009;Gordon, 1991, Schiele, Jackson, & Fairfax, 2005.…”

African American Club Women's Resistance to Oppressive Public Policy in the Early 20th Century

“…Maggie Lena Walker, president of the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, Virginia also ran for political office as Superintendent of the Public Instruction on Virginia's Lily Black Republican ticket (Schiele, Jackson, & Fairfax, 2005). She also held a political appointment as the governor' selectee to the Virginia Industrial School for Colored Girls' board of advisors after the institution came under state auspices (Marlowe, 1993).…”