Read "The Amazing Mary Walker"

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” – Frederick Douglass

The Amazing Mary Walker: America’s Oldest Student is a truly inspirational piece, enjoyable for young and old alike. It is a beautiful story of what is possible and how far we can go with hard work and love for God. 

Softcover is $12.99 and is currently available for pre-order today! The estimated delivery time is March 2023.

We Promote Economic Literacy and Stability For All Through Reading, Writing, and Education.

Celebrate Mary Walker's Birthday Book Bash!

May 6, 2023 | 7 A.M.-4 P.M.


@ Harris Johnson Park, 41 W 28th St., Chattanooga, Tenn. 37408 (Across From The Mary Walker Towers) 

Enjoy food, games, guest speakers, and much more as we celebrate our favorite Chattanooga icon.

One Woman
One Legacy
For Literacy

Mary Walker Foundation

Our Mission

Our Mission is to help alleviate poverty for all Chattanooga Citizens and help create economic stability through literacy training and educational activities.

Hosea 4:6
King James Version
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Our Vision

To measurably increase literacy and journalistic training over the next three years and then strategically manage its outcomes to promote poverty relief.

Our Focus Areas & Impact

Vehicles For Charity

Reading & Writing Camps

Helping those students that are slow achievers and/or are below grade level though a partnership with Lexia Learning Systems.

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Community Awareness

Mobilizing Churches to help support literacy efforts & economic stability for One Chattanooga through Summer Empowerment Camps

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Family Crisis Support

We have specially-trained advocates who support victims and survivors through crisis situations and work with them for as long as they need, even after the crises has been resolved.

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Continuation of Education

Monitoring, Mentoring & Maintaining investments in Chattanooga College & Vocational Students by awarding scholorships.

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Promoting Literacy & Journalism

Through our partnership with the Chattanooga News Chronicle, we foster journalism and literacy efforts.  Chattanooga News Chronicle is a 30-Year Old Newspaper.

Camp REACH on newsChannel9

Camp REACH Celebration

Camp REACH Overview

Mary Walker Foundation

Who is Mary Walker?

Mary Walker was born in 1848 in Union Springs, Alabama, and was enslaved until she was 15 years old when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863. She was married and had her first child by the age of 20. She had worked a variety of occupations by the time she was 68, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to earn funds for her church. Walker and her family then relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee, In 1917. by the age of 114, she had lost all three of her children as well as her husband.

 

Walker received a number of medals and accolades for her endurance and determination, including the Key to Chattanooga. She was also designated Chattanooga’s Ambassador of Goodwill twice and was certified as the Nation’s Oldest Student by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

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How To Give To The Mary Walker Foundation

The Miracle of Literacy

Literacy is a miracle in many ways. It gives people the ability to learn and work on their own terms. Literacy has given many people the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and passions. People who had never learned to read found something in it that changed their lives for the better and made them more productive citizens. Literacy has led to knowledge, wisdom, global exploration, scientific discoveries, and so much more.