Ann B. Walker and her husband, the late Linwood B. Walker, were proud parents to two children, Rev. Dr. Amelia Walker and Julialynne Walker.
Ann B. Walker was a pioneering American journalist, radio host, and community leader born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1923.
She broke barriers as the first woman and first Black woman in broadcast management in Columbus television.
Additionally, she was the first female broadcaster to cover the Ohio legislature.
Throughout her long career, she interviewed notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and President Jimmy Carter, who later appointed her to a public affairs role in the White House.
Beyond her journalism career, she was a standout tennis player during her high school days in Columbus, Ohio.
Her athletic talent earned her a tennis scholarship to Prairie View A&M College in Texas, a historically Black university, where she began her higher education journey.
Tragically, Walker passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025, at the age of 101.
Ann B. Walker Was Predeceased By Her Husband, Linwood B. Walker
Ann B. Walker was born on November 1, 1923, in Columbus, Ohio.
Her mother passed away when Ann was just six years old, and her father raised her alongside five brothers.
Shortly after completing her education in 1946, Walker married Linwood B. Walker, a respected figure in his own right.
After his passing, Ann established the Linwood P. Walker Scholarship in his honor.
While specific details about his husband’s profession are not widely published, the scholarship in his name suggests that he likely made meaningful contributions to public life or education before his passing.
Together, Ann and Linwood raised two children and built a life on the North Side of Columbus, Ohio, until their home was demolished during the construction of Interstate 71.
One of her daughters, Julialynne Walker, has been active in preserving and sharing her mother’s legacy.
She has spoken in interviews and participated in tributes, including the documentary Queen Mother: The Ann B. Walker Story.
Likewise, another daughter, Rev. Dr. Amelia Walker, is also publicly active and carries forward her mother’s legacy.
On August 10, 2021, Rev. delivered the invocation at the dedication of the Ann B. Walker Plaza.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Ann B. was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 1978.
- She received a presidential appointment from Jimmy Carter in 1980 and was honored internationally as Queen Mother of Mozano Village in Ghana.
