A Right Worthy Woman

A Novel

By: Ruth P. Watson

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

In the vein of The Personal Librarian and The House of Eve, a “remarkable and stirring novel” (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author) based on the inspiring true story of Virginia’s Black Wall Street and the indomitable Maggie Lena Walker, the daughter of a formerly enslaved woman who became the first Black woman to establish and preside over a bank in the United States.

Maggie Lena Walker was ambitious and unafraid. Her childhood in 19th-century Virginia helping her mother with her laundry service opened her eyes to the overwhelming discrepancy between the Black residents and her mother’s affluent white clients. She vowed to not only secure the same kind of home and finery for herself, but she would also help others in her community achieve the same.

With her single-minded determination, Maggie buckled down and went from schoolteacher to secretary-treasurer of the Independent Order of St. Luke, founder of a newspaper, a bank, and a department store where Black customers were treated with respect. With the help of influential friends like W.E.B. DuBois and Mary McLeod, she revolutionized Richmond in ways that are still felt today. Now, “with rich period detail and emotional impact” (Tracey Enerson Wood, author of The Engineer’s Wife), her riveting full story is finally revealed in this stirring and intimate novel.

Critic reviews

"Janina Edwards takes listeners through a fictional account of the life of Maggie Lena Walker and the state of Virginia’s Black Wall Street...Edwards cheerfully shares Walker’s optimism and vividly expresses her frustrations with her strong character work."

A Learning Experience

I never heard of Maggie. As important as she was, As Smart as she was…. Everyone should have know her.

Loved It!!

A wonderful read even for those less inclined to historical fiction. The narration of Maggie Lena Walker's story is captivating and inspiring.

all the historical information

I loved everything about this book. I will highly recommend it to all my friends. I've been to her home in Richmond.

Just Wow

This was my first encounter with Mrs. Maggie Lena Walker & I need more! She was a black woman that stood her ground & created the space for people of color to thrive. I can’t believe I’ve gone all my 36 years without hearing her story! Thank you Ruth Watson for bringing her story to life!

Kindness, Power, Money, and Respect.

I loved learning about this successful black woman and her rise to wealth and power. The narration was wonderful and I highly recommend this title.