Nell W. Walker

Nell W. Walker (February 6, 1888 – March 5, 1962), nicknamed "Pistol Nell" by her fellow legislators, was an American banker and politician from West Virginia. She served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1936 to 1955, and then from 1958 to her death in 1962, representing Fayette County as a Democrat. She also served as Banking Commissioner of West Virginia from 1955 to 1957, the first woman to hold the position.

Early life Walker was born on a farm near Sewell Mountain in Fayette County, West Virginia on February 6, 1888. She served with the American Red Cross during World War I, spending 13 months in France as part of her duties. Walker won election that November, alongside fellow delegates R. L. Matthews and J. Alex Tinsley.

She continued to win re-election, serving in the state House until June 1955, when she was selected to be the state's banking commissioner by Governor William C. Marland following the resignation of John H. Hoffman. Upon being offered the role, Walker asked for time to consider it, but ultimately accepted and began serving on July 15, 1955, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Walker served as commissioner until July 1, 1957, when she stepped down. Donald L. Taylor was appointed as her replacement.

In 1958, she was elected again to the House. She won re-election in 1960, but stated in January 1962 she had "just about made up [her] mind" that she would not run in that year's elections.

Banking career and "Pistol Nell" robbery Outside of politics, Walker worked as vice president and assistant cashier at the Winona National Bank in Winona, West Virginia. She worked there for 37 years, until the bank's assets were sold off in 1959. For this, her fellow legislators in the House of Delegates gave her the nickname "Pistol Nell", although they did not use it around her out of respect.