Margaret Henningson
About Margaret Henningson
Margaret Henningsen is a life-long resident of Milwaukee. She has spent the majority of her 77 years making Milwaukee a better place for those coming behind her. She is a mentor to hundreds and enjoys
helping them become successful. During her real estate and banking careers, she helped over 1,700 families become homeowners.
She started the Milwaukee Juneteenth Day celebration in 1971 that has grown into the largest one in the country. Margaret has an even longer history of social justice activism. As a student activist involved in
civil rights protests; registering thousands of people to vote; serving on political campaigns or arguing for and receiving mortgage loans for black families she neve let racism or discrimination stop her.
As the founder of Legacy Bank, that specifically provided services to traditionally under-served groups, she has brought the objective of social change to all her work. She led the fight to end discrimination against minorities and women by the real estate, mortgage, and banking industry. After seeing the impact of discrimination against women and minorities, Margaret decided to start a bank. She said, “The day after my 50th birthday, I went temporarily insane and said I'm just going to start my own bank”. She was joined by two, other women. It was the first time in the history of the state of Wisconsin women successfully chartered a commercial b during the bank.
Following the closure of Legacy Bank Margaret was appointed Executive Director of the Women’s Fund in 2011. She brought the objective of social change to her work in philanthropy. Social change initiatives funded by grants from the Women’s Fund to local nonprofits supported women and girls. Following her service to the Women’s Fund, she joined Forward Community Investments (FCI) as their Community Advisor for Southeast Wisconsin with a focus on lending to nonprofit s. FCI focuses on funding projects that address racial and social inequities. She retired for the third time in 2022.
Margaret has served on more than thirty boards and received numerous accolades and awards for her many accomplishments focused on racial justice and equity. She loves being mom to her daughter Maya Joy, getting together with her brothers and sisters: and having fun being Auntie Margaret to her 55 nieces and nephews.
Her favorite quote: “Life, is not a cautious journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body but rather, to skid in broadside – thoroughly used up, completely worn out, proclaiming & WOW!!! what a ride…;” –Author unknown.