Richmond community members enjoyed a glimpse into the past during celebrations for Maggie L. Walker’s 159th Birthday at Third Street Bethel AME Church and her national historic site in Jackson Ward on July 15. The day involved a wreath ceremony, arts and crafts, the chance to tour the Maggie Walker House, a film about her life and a re-enactment of Ms. Walker’s historic 1901 speech by the Rev. Veronica Carter.

The church worked with the National Park Service, the City of Richmond and the Black History Museum to plan events over three days. Julia Turner, one of the co-chairs involved in organizing Saturday’s festivities, said a highlight of this year’s celebrations was the emphasis placed on involving youths with craft activities that engaged them in the celebration.

“For some, this was the first time they had an opportunity to tour Maggie Walker House,” Ms. Turner said in an email. “I was quite amazed in showing the film how many people, although they’d heard of her, did not know her story.”

Mrs. Walker was born in Richmond in 1864. She was an entrepreneur and a civic leader who went on to become the first Black woman to establish and serve as president of a bank in the United States.

Her 1901 speech to the Independent Order of St. Luke was the start of making her dream of a Black bank, the Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank, a reality. Not only was this moment captured by Rev. Carter’s re-enactment, the penny banks that were decorated during the arts and crafts portion of the program recreated an initiative of Mrs. Walker to encourage deposits by children and teach them about savings and the importance of thrift.

The St. Luke Penny Savings Bank opened its doors in 1903. In the 1930s it merged with two other banks to form Consolidated Bank and Trust Company and Mrs. Walker served as the combined banks board chair until her death from diabetic gangrene in 1934 at the age of 70.

During her life, Mrs. Walker engaged herself in civic issues as well. She co-founded the Richmond chapter of the NAACP and the Council of Colored Women. She also helped organize the 1904 boycott of Virginia Passenger and Power Company over its policy of segregated seating. In addition to the bank, she was involved in organizing a newspaper, the St. Luke Herald, and a department store, encouraging investment and collective action within Richmond’s African-American community.

Ms. Turner said when it came to the community working together, Mrs. Walker “not only talked the talk, but walked the walk” and that message is still a vital one today.

“It is important for this community to understand the message of unity,” she added. “We as a people must make the difference in our communities. We must be united.

“I think the church will always be involved in this celebration of Mrs. Maggie!”