Ardie Clark Halyard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ardie Clark Halyard
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Halyard in 1982
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| Born | 1896 Covington, Georgia, U.S.
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| Died | 1989 (aged 92–93) |
| Education | Atlanta University |
| Occupation | Businesswoman, banker |
| Employer | Goodwill Industries, Columbia Savings and Loan |
| Organization | National Association for the Advancement of Colored People |
Ardie A. Clark Halyard (1896 – 1989) was a very important businesswoman and activist. She helped many people in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was a banker and worked hard to fight for equal rights. She was also the first woman to lead the Milwaukee chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
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Early Life and Moving to Milwaukee
Ardie Halyard was born in Covington, Georgia. Her father was a sharecropper, which meant he farmed land owned by someone else. Ardie studied hard and earned a degree in education from Atlanta University.
In 1920, she married Wilbur Halyard. They lived in Beloit for a while. While there, they started a local branch of the NAACP. The NAACP is an organization that works for civil rights and equal treatment for all people.
In 1923, Ardie and Wilbur moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They soon learned that it was hard for Black families to buy homes. Many real estate agents tried to keep Black people from living in certain areas of the city. This unfair treatment made them want to help their community even more.
Building a Bank for Everyone
In 1925, Ardie and Wilbur Halyard started something amazing. They co-founded Columbia Savings and Loan Association. This was the first bank in Milwaukee owned by Black people. They started it with just ten dollars!
At that time, it was almost impossible for Black people to get a loan to buy a home. Banks often refused them because of their race. Columbia Savings and Loan changed this. It allowed Black people to apply for loans without facing racial discrimination. This meant more families could finally buy their own homes.
To make the bank successful, Ardie and Wilbur did not take a salary for the first 10 years. Ardie also worked for 20 years at Goodwill Industries. At the same time, she was the bookkeeper and secretary for Columbia. By the late 1960s, their bank had grown a lot. It had assets worth $4 million, helping many families.
Leading the NAACP
Ardie Halyard also made history in the NAACP. In 1951, she became the first woman president of the Milwaukee chapter. She worked hard to grow the group. During her time as president, the number of members who paid dues jumped from 39 to 1,416 people.
Even after her presidency, she stayed very active in the NAACP. She often served as the treasurer, managing the group's money. She was also a member of the Wisconsin Governor's Commission on the Status of Women. This group worked to improve the lives of women in Wisconsin.
Lasting Legacy
Ardie Halyard received many honors for her work. In 1983, she was given the Public Service Recognition Award. This award came from the United Negro College Fund, which helps students go to college.
Today, Ardie and her husband Wilbur are remembered in Milwaukee. There is a park, a city street, and a neighborhood named Halyard Park. This shows how much they helped their community and fought for fairness for everyone.
