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Mrs. Margaret Harper Wallace was the first president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the East Tennessee Progressive Business League which later became the Progressive Business Association.  She was interested in helping minorities establish businesses which would further develop Morristown and Hamblen County.  The organization’s first meetings were held in the community room at Berkline.

Mrs. Wallace was never shy about approaching someone when she had an idea that she thought would work.  The Business League had approximately 15 women who met monthly whose goal was to start several businesses that they felt were needed in this community.

Under her leadership, the League became the first Black organization in Morristown to be chartered by the State of Tennessee as a private, non-profit organization.  Death came to Mrs. Wallace on December 18, 1972, and she did not live to see any of her goals for the League fulfilled.

She was the wife of Glen Wallace, Sr. Her children established themselves in Morristown and in other states. Daughter Rosa L. Wallace Johnson made her home in Wyndance, New York.  She is retired as of August 1995 and is making plans to re-establish her home in Morristown.  Son Leonard Wallace, deceased, was the husband of Mrs. Betty Jo Wallace of 1509 Goodson Street and was retired from the Army.  Glen Jr., Nathaniel, Thaddeus, Albert Lee, Barry, Adrian, and Stanley all make their home in Morristown.

Mrs. Wallace was active in the Young’s Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, the Watauga Temple #1043, the Myrtle Spears Council, the Northside Garden Club, and the J.P. Birthday Club.  She is buried in the City Cemetery.