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Please join the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities and the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site for a morning of community service, commemorating the birthday of Maggie Lena Walker. 

Born July 15, 1864, Maggie Walker is one of Richmond's most beloved community advocates and civic leaders. Owner and operator of The St. Luke Emporium department store, and publisher of the St. Luke Herald newspaper, Mrs. Walker was also famously the first Black woman in the United States to found a bank. St. Luke Penny Savings Bank was an early 20th Century symbol of the strength of the Jackson Ward community - a neighborhood with Black businesses, churches, and schools that flourished in spite of the Jim Crow laws of the era. Devoted to a life of service, Maggie Walker's belief that through the power of mutual support and solidarity, a community could greatly advance civil rights, economic empowerment, and educational opportunities for themselves and their neighbors. 

In that same spirit of service to the community, please join us on Saturday, July 13th to recognize and honor Walker's legacy of building community in Richmond's Jackson Ward neighborhood. Various service projects will be held around the area, from 8 AM until 11 AM, culminating in a hydration and snack break back at the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site by 11:30am. 

Gilpin Community Garden 

Volunteers will be assisting Community Garden Stewards with weeding and refreshing garden beds at the Gilpin Community Garden. Some lifting and hauling (max. 50 lbs) will be required, as well as kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching. Tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring along your own gardening gloves if preferred. Please bring a refillable water bottle, and wear sturdy closed toe shoes. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended!