Re “Honoring greatness: Statue of Richmond pioneer Maggie L. Walker unveiled to cheers at gateway to Jackson Ward,” Free Press July 20-22 edition:

As a 1961 graduate of Maggie L. Walker High School, I know I speak on behalf of thousands of classmates who were fortunate enough to attend and graduate from such a distinguished public high school during a time of segregation when the language used to describe the state of public education during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s included “separate but equal.”

If such words were ever sincere, Maggie L. Walker High School represented the epitome of excellence! Our teachers and counselors were not only educators, they were often surrogate mothers and fathers.

Our classes were challenging and many of us were challenged individually. Our classmates became lifelong friends. How could such excellence become such a reality in a segregated school?

As I reflected on the July 15 statue dedication ceremonies, I found the answer. Maggie L. Walker High School exuded excellence because our teachers and counselors knew what Maggie L. Walker stood for. They knew her legacy, they knew her contributions to our city, to the African-American community and to our nation!

All of Richmond now will be graced with the elegance by which Maggie L. Walker made her contributions. She dedicated her life to uplifting humanity and her African-American family through a focus on pride; education; the need for thrift and finance management (she founded a bank); the need to be involved in entrepreneurship (she founded the Independent Order of St. Luke, a beneficial society/insurance company with more than 100,000 members in the early 1900s); and the need to be involved in journalism to tell the stories that need to be told (she founded a newspaper). She also founded retail enterprises.

She was a social activist who led a two-year boycott of segregated streetcars in Richmond in 1904. In 1909, Mrs. Walker delivered a speech on “Race Unity,” which could serve as a benchmark for any leader, political or otherwise, who attempts to understand what brings us together versus what separates us.

From 1910 through 1930, Mrs. Walker remained active in the NAACP, the National Association of Colored Women, the Urban League and national Negro Business League.

The dedication ceremony was indeed recognition of one of the most extraordinary human beings to have lived and worked among us. Richmond can be proud! This extraordinary woman from ordinary origins was a role model. She gave us vision. But most importantly, she gave to us through her deeds. Her guidance and education on so many essential aspects of life will never be forgotten. She now reminds us from her position at Adams and Broad streets that we should always “Have Faith … Have Hope … Have Courage … and Carry On!”

Thanks to all who made this moment so monumental. Her legacy now lives forever!

JOHN T. FLEMING

Richmond