In honor of Financial Literacy Month, we’re taking a moment to spotlight the women who changed the game when it comes to money, power, and ownership. These three women did more than break barriers in banking. They created new pathways forward.
Let’s start with Maggie Lena Walker. In 1903, she chartered the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, Virginia, becoming the first Black woman to found a bank and serve as its president.
At a time when Black communities were shut out of financial systems, Maggie created one rooted in access and independence.
Her work centered on building economic power within the community and showed what was possible when we invest in ourselves.
Fast forward to today, and the legacy continues with Kiko Davis. She is currently the only Black woman bank owner in the United States. As the owner of The First Independence Bank, Kiko is continuing the work of creating access and opportunity through financial leadership.
Her presence in this space is both powerful and necessary, especially as representation at the ownership level remains limited.
And then there is Emma C. Chappell, a trailblazer from Philadelphia. She founded the United Bank of Philadelphia, becoming the first Black woman to start a bank since Maggie Lena Walker. Her work focused on reinvesting in Black communities and creating financial institutions that truly serve the people.
Emma’s impact is a reminder that legacy is not just about being first, but about building something that lasts.
Three women. Three different moments in time. One clear throughline: ownership as power, and access as a form of change.
So during Financial Literacy Month and beyond, as we think about wealth, community, and legacy, remember these women showed us exactly how to do it.
