WHEREAS, Maggie L. Walker was born on July 15, 1864, in Richmond during the final year of the Civil War and made her home in the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond with her husband, Armistead Walker, Jr., and their two sons for much of her life; and

WHEREAS, during her teenage years, Maggie L. Walker became engaged in civic life as a member of the Independent Order of St. Luke, where she assisted families with burial expenses, advocated for racial justice, and established the St. Luke Herald to advance the organization's mission; and

WHEREAS, in 1903, Maggie L. Walker became the first Black woman to found and charter a bank with the establishment of the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank and dedicated her life to advancing economic opportunity, civic leadership, and civil rights through numerous local and national organizations; and

WHEREAS, during the era of Jim Crow segregation, Maggie L. Walker championed education, civic engagement, and economic self-determination, helping lay the foundation for future advances in racial and gender equality; and

WHEREAS, through expanding access to financial services, creating employment opportunities, and promoting homeownership, Maggie L. Walker empowered generations of Black Virginians and strengthened communities across the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her enduring legacy, a high school for African American students was named in Maggie L. Walker's honor in 1938, followed by the naming of the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School in 2001, ensuring that her life and contributions continue to inspire future generations; and

WHEREAS, July 15, 2026, marks the 162nd birthday of Maggie L. Walker, and the Commonwealth of Virginia remains committed to preserving her legacy through community partnerships, events, and commemorative observances sponsored by the National Park Service;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize July 15–22, 2026, as MAGGIE L. WALKER RECOGNITION WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.