Mabel Walker (suffragist)
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May 2, 1902
Mabel Walker | |
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| Born | Mabel Cordelia Holloway May 2, 1902 Greenville, South Carolina, United States |
| Died | July 8, 1987 (aged 85) |
| Alma mater | Howard University |
| Occupations | Educator and suffragist |
| Known for | Founding president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers |
| Spouse | Claudius Roland Walker |
| Children | 7 |
Mabel Cordelia Holloway Walker (May 2, 1902 – July 8, 1987), an American-Bahamian suffragist, was the founding president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers and the first woman to head a trade union in The Bahamas.[1] Walker along with Mary Ingraham, Georgianna Symonette, and Eugenia Lockhart started the Women's Suffrage Movement that campaigned for universal adult suffrage.[2] In 2012, on the fiftieth anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, the Bahamian government created a series of postage stamps to honor these women. Walker appeared on a 50-cent stamp.[2]
Mabel Cordelia Holloway was born in Greenville, South Carolina, United States, on May 2, 1902, to Reverend Elias B. Holloway.[1][3] She was the sixth of nine children.[3]
As a child, Holloway attended elementary school in Greenville and then Oberlin High School in Oberlin, Ohio.[3]
She attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Howard, she met her future husband, Claudius Roland Walker, who was studying for a Bachelor of Science degree.[1] Claudius Walker was born in the Bain Town neighborhood of Nassau on May 6, 1897, to Claudius F. and Patience (Robinson) Walker.[4]
While in college, she was active in the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) movement, attending many conferences of the YWCA.[3]
After graduating from college and marrying, Walker worked at a YWCA in New Jersey, while her husband pursued his medical studies at Meharry College in Nashville, Tennessee.[1][3] She pursued private studies in Arts and Crafts and painting.[3] The couple relocated to The Bahamas after Claudius completed his medical studies.[1]
Career in education
After moving to The Bahamas, Walker became involved in education, first by opening a pre-school and assisting Claudius with adult education classes at The Bahamas Technical Institute.[3]
Later, Walker became a teacher with local school system and taught at Southern Preparatory School, Western Senior and Junior schools. She was promoted to Headmistress of Woodcock Primary School.[3] She retired from teaching in 1962.[3]