Nellie Craig Walker | |
|---|---|
 Nelle Craig in 1905 | |
| Born | Nellie Craig 1881 |
| Died | 1969 |
| Monuments | Nellie Craig Walker Hall, Miami University |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Miami University |
| Occupation(s) | school teacher, business owner |
| Employer | Oxford Public Schools |
| Known for | first Black graduate of Miami University |
| Spouse | James Walker |
Nellie Craig Walker (1881–1969) was a school teacher and business owner, and was the first African-American student to graduate from Miami University.[1]
Walker was born Nellie Craig in Oxford, Ohio in 1881, the daughter of Jessie Craig and Susan Ross Craig, and the youngest of four children.[1][2] She attended the Ohio State Normal School (which later became part of Miami University), and graduated in 1905, one of a class of twenty women enrolled in the teacher's program.[1] She was a student-teacher in the racially mixed classroom in the Oxford Public School system.[3][2] She was the first Black student to graduate from Miami University, and taught in Indiana after graduating.[1]
Nellie Craig was married to James Walker in 1911, and the two moved to Cleveland.[1] They had four children. James Walker ran a tire company in Cleveland; when he died after 16 years of marriage, Nellie took over management of the business.[4] She died in 1969.[1]
Miami University renamed the former Campus Avenue Building as Nellie Craig Walker Hall in her honor in 2020.[3][1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 McCrabb, Rick. "'We never knew': Family uncovers history of Miami's first Black graduate". journal-news. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
- 1 2 Miami University (Feb 22, 2021). "Nellie Craig Walker Hall Dedication". YouTube. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- 1 2 "Miami University names building after first Black graduate: Nellie Craig Walker Hall honors university, community pioneer". Sep 25, 2020.
- ↑ Kissell, Margo (February 24, 2021). "Miami University Dedicates Nellie Craig Walker Hall After First Black Graduate". State News Service – via Nexis Uni.