Graduation

Of the seven children of Betsy and Edward Walker who survived to adulthood, all but the oldest Lily graduated from Washburn University. After nearly two decades of living in rural Morris county, Edward and Betsy moved to Topeka so their children, all their children, could receive as much education as possible. Thus set in motion the belief and tradition that women as well as men deserved the chance to attain a college education. In all it's a tradition that has continued for more than 100 years. Eula, the second oldest daughter, was born in 1884. I'm assuming she graduated from Washburn in 1906. Pictured here are the four Walker sisters at the time of Ada's graduation from Washburn. From the top it's Eula, Grace, Edna and Ada at the time of Ada's graduation in 1916.







The tradition continued into the next generation. Pictured here are Ethel, Helen and Mary Grace in 1942.



And yesterday two more joined the ranks of college graduates with the graduations of Kelly and Frances from the University of Kansas. To honor the tradition we gathered all of the Walker female descendants we could find and with the help of Scott took their picture. Those of us here on the steps have degrees from KU, Kansas State University and Colorado State University. Now more than 100 years since the first female Walker graduated we have four generations of college graduates. The men have also continued the tradition, but today we're highlighting the women.