Mabel Walker (suffragist)

Mabel Cordelia Holloway was born in Greenville, South Carolina, on May 2, 1902, to Reverend Elias B. Holloway.[1][3] She was the sixth of nine children.[3]

As a child Holoway attended elementary school in Greenville and high school in 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 Bain Town neighborhood in 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]

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]

The Bahamas Union of Teachers was founded in 1947 by Mabel Walker.[5] Walker was the founding president, making her the first women to be the president of a trade union in The Bahamas.[5]

In 1950, Walker along with Mary Ingraham, Georgianna Symonette, and Eugenia Lockhart started the Women's Suffrage Movement that campaigned for universal adult suffrage.[1][2] With Walker's connections in the Bahamas Teacher's Union, and the other women's connections in women's clubs they were able to influence others to join them.[1]

Walker was the mother to 7 children.[3] After Walker retired from teaching, she ran the Walker's Pharmacy, Clothes and Hardware Store.[3]

The Mabel Walker Primary School,[3] Mabel Walker In-House Professional Development Centre[6] and The Bahamas Union of Teachers' Walker Hall[3] were named to honor Walker. She received The Queen's Medal and Certificate of Honour.[3] Walker died on July 8, 1987, at the age of 85.[1]