Pat Walker (philanthropist)
Pat Walker | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | September 2, 2016 | (aged 97)
Known for | Philanthropy |
Pat Walker (May 9, 1919 – September 2, 2016) was an American
Early life and career
Pat Walker was born in Boise, Idaho in 1919 before settling in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her mother, Amy Seamans, worked three jobs to provide for her private schooling following a divorce from her father.[2] When Pat Walker turned 21, she moved to Coffeyville, Kansas and worked as a sales clerk at a department store where she met her husband, Willard Walker. They married in 1942, and moved to Springdale, Arkansas where Willard managed one of the first Walmart stores.[3]
Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation
Pat Walker and her husband, Willard Walker started the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, in Springdale, Arkansas in 1986. They financed the charity using funds made from stock investments in Walmart and by 2010 had donated more than $125 million to other charities and organizations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
Organizations named after the Walkers
Pat Walker's name is used, in her honor, with the following organizations: the Pat Walker Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (
Awards
Pat Walker was the recipient of the following awards: American Heart Association Tiffany Award, Distinguished Service Award from the Razorback Foundation, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Distinguished Service Award, Helen R. Walton Distinguished Achievement Award from the Walton Arts Center. She was inducted into Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame, and into the Towers of Old Main in 2001 with husband Willard Walker. The Walkers were longtime members of the University of Arkansas Chancellor’s Society and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Chancellor’s Society. Pat Walker was also an honorary chairwoman for Komen Ozark Race for the Cure.[9]
References
- ^ "Pat Walker: Philanthropist". www.arkansasbusiness.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ "Philanthropist Pat Walker, co-founder of Pat and Willard Walker Charitable Foundation, has died". www.talkbusiness.net. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ "Arkansas Philanthropist Pat Walker Dies at 97". www.arkansasbusiness.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ "A great lady". www.arkansasonline.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ "Community members remember philanthropist Pat Walker". www.nwaonline.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ "Pat Walker, Long-time U of A Benefactor, is Remembered on Campus". www.news.uark.edu. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ "Walker Teacher Education Program Dedicated". www.ozarks.edu. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
- ^ "Walker Foundation Donates $3M to Circle of Life". www.arkansasbusiness.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ "Walker's Honors". Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Arkansas, US. 4 Sep 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2021.