Maggie Lena Walker was one woman that helped the African -American community.
She was the daughter of a slave. She got her first job teaching other
African-Americans. When she was teaching, she studied business.
In 1884, she took a job with the Independent Order of Saint Luke, an African-American
organization that tried to help other African -Americans. When she
took the job, the organization was not doing well. With Maggie's
help it grew into a large, successful operation.
Walker also decided to open a bank for African-Americans. She thought
it was important for them to have a place to store their money. The
Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank was opened in 1903.