Evening star., 1929-07-28
ONLY COLORED WOMAN In NATION
TO RULE OVER PROSPEROUS BANK
Mrs. Maggie Mitchell Walker Has Shown Great
Sagacity in Business Career in Richmond, Va.

their poverty and ignorance groveling
in distress and need. The condition Of
those who were well and strong was bad
enough. but 1t was pitiable beyond de-
scription when they were stricken with
disease. Deeply moved by the scenes
Of helplessneSs and misery she wit
messed, this ex-slave conceived the idea
of establishing fraternal organization
which could minister to the sick and
bury the dead.
While the benefit to be derived from
such an organization was apparent to
those whom 1t was designed to help,
nevertheless its growth was painfully
slow. Many were the times when the
founder and her assistants feared the
st. Luke Order could not surmount the
obstacles to success which blocked its
path. But the straw which seemed to
break the camel's back was the sudden
resignation Of the man who had served
1t as secretary for 80 years, from 1859
to 1899. When he handed in his resig-
nation and refused absolutely to serve
another minute, the members of the
order feared that its last days had come.
The reasons assigned by the secretary
for refusing to hold ONCE any longer
were suff1cient to discourage the most
confirmed optimists among the men,
bership.
In the first place, he told them that
there was no money in the treasury.
The order was not spreading fast
enough, he said. He complained also
that there was fatal lack Of co-opera-
t1on between grand officers and those Of
the subordinate councils. And last, but
certainly not least the salary of $500 a
year was too small. he averred. AS If
that were not enough to make the stout
est heart quail the abdicating secretary
informed the order that there was only
S31.60 In the treasury, and unpaid bills
amounting to $500!
Cause of Dismay.
If a bomb had been thrown into the
meeting at which this information was
furnished. 1t could scarcely have caused
more terrifying dismay.
In the midst Of this chaos and con-
fusion, while many were predicting that
the order could not possibly survive the
fatal blow which the secretary had
dealt, Maggie Walker was elected to sue
ceed him. To make the office Just as
undesirable as possible. the salary was
reduced from $500 to 500 year. Moth
ing daunted. however, the new secre-
tary buckled on the armor and went
to work. No sooner had she entered
upon her duties than the organization
leaps and bounds. The new secretary's
personal magnetism, her earnestness,
her marked ability as clear. forceful,
persuasive speaker and her keen busi-
ness acumen enabled her to work won.
ders in building up the organization in
a very short time.
The $31.66 which Mrs. Walker found
In the treasury when she was elected
80 years ago has increased to more
tnan $500 900: And that, too. in spite
OF the fact that nearly $4,000, 900 in
death claims have been paid. The
membership has grown from a little
more than 5000 to 100000 women, men
ana children. The old building which
formerly was used as headquarters has
disappeared and handsome. modernly
constructed, four-story brick ONCE
building has taken its place. Moreover
the order employs go men and women
IN the once and has full force Of ITO.
II Is chartered under the laws of the
State OF Virginia. but it does business in
20 States, including New York, Massa-
chusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connec-
ticut, Michigan, Wisconsin and the Dis
trict Of Columbia.
To Mrs. Walker Is largely due the
credit OF the rapidity with which the
order has spread all over the United
States. 1t was she who urged the or
ganization to establish its own printing
department and this was done. although
100000. She felt the necessity of hav-
ing an of1cial organ to express the aims.
the ideals OF the organization, to report
its successes and outline its plans. AS
a result of this suggestion the st. Luke
Herald was founded, which is one of
the pest newspapers the colored Ameri-
can has.
Educational Loan Fund.
An educational loan fund is another
child Of Mrs. Walkers brain. She has
been instrumental In having the board
OF trustees recommend the establish
ment Of such q fund so that the young
members of the order may complete q
practical education" provided they have
been members Of the organization one
year, are recommended by their teach
ers and by their local circles, also.
The loan will not be granted for a term
longer than five years and the amount
loaned may range from $50 to $500, pro-
Vided the applicant signs note to re-
pay the obligation, so that some other
young man or woman may receive as
sistance in the future"
One OF the greatest services Mrs.
Walker has rendered the Order Of st.
Luke was to found the juvenile depart
ment. That was done in 1895-one Of
the ffrst things she did after joining 1t.
Having started with 5000 children, the
membership has increased to more than
10000.
The celebration of the twentieth an
niversary Of Mrs. Walkers services as
the Right Worthy Grand Secretary
Treasurer of the Independent Order of
st. Luke" was one of the most remark
able ever observed In the United States.
declared that Mrs. Walker has brought
the organization to a state Of prosperity
beyond the fondest dreams Of its foun-
ders There hath not arisen greater
soul nor abler executive than our pres.
ent right worthy grand secretary
49, ,1i,,,,~lk% --sS Si~fI, T51c,o s. -7 Z