A snapshot of Elda and Leva Walker with three other women scientists seated at a table. A note on the back identifies the women as: "Left to right, Dr. Elda Anderson - Speaker, Dr. Engelbrecht - Nat. Pres., Leva Walker, Lulu Rungs, Elda Walker." All of the women are wearing corsages, hats and nice dresses. They appear to be guests of honor at a banquet or other similar event, perhaps related to honoring women in science. Elda and Leva Walker were the daughters of Levi and Belle Walker, and the granddaughters of Oregon missionaries Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker. Leva and Elda graduated from Pacific University in 1900. Born in 1877 and 1878, they were most likely the first women from Forest Grove to earn a doctoral degree, Elda from the University of Nebraska and Leva from Cornell University. Both Doctorates were in Biology. The sisters taught together at the University of Nebraska and lived together until their deaths in 1970 and 1971. This photograph was probably taken in the 1950s.
A vignette portrait of Leva Walker late in life, probably circa 1970. Leva was the daughter of Levi C. Walker and Belle Putman Walker, and the granddaughter of Oregon missionaries Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker. Leva and her sister, Elda, graduated from Pacific University in 1900. Born in 1877 and 1878, they were most likely the first women from Forest Grove to earn a doctoral degree, Elda from the University of Nebraska and Leva from Cornell University. Both Doctorates were in Biology. The sisters taught together at the University of Nebraska and lived together until their deaths in 1970 and 1971.
A portrait of Leva Belle Walker (1878-1970), probably taken in the 1890s when Leva was in her teens. Leva and her sister Elda entered Pacific University beginning in 1897. Prior to that, she had lived with her parents, Levi and Belle Walker, while they worked as instructors at the Siletz Indian School and Chemawa Indian School. Leva and Elda Walker went on to become the first female alumnae of Pacific University to earn Ph.D.s. Leva taught botany and mycology at the University of Nebraska from 1908-1950s.
Leva Walker as an older adult, possibly in the 1940s or 1950s. Leva was the daughter of Levi C. Walker and Belle Putman Walker, and the granddaughter of Oregon missionaries Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker. Leva and her sister, Elda, graduated from Pacific University in 1900. Born in 1877 and 1878, they were most likely the first women from Forest Grove to earn a doctoral degree, Elda from the University of Nebraska and Leva from Cornell University. Both Doctorates were in Biology. The sisters taught together at the University of Nebraska and lived together until their deaths in 1970 and 1971.
