Chambers, Emily Gilpin, 1892-1970

Emily (Gilpin) Chambers was the eldest of four daughters born to St. James Gilpin (1851-1934) and Cordelia (Reese) Gilpin (1858-1928). She had five older brothers. St. James Gilpin was a prominent African American business, civic and religious leader in Richmond, Virginia, one of the founders and president of the Richmond Beneficial Insurance Company and a director in the Consolidated Bank and Trust Company. Emily Gilpin Chambers was a teacher and guidance counselor in Richmond, Va., public She was married to John W. Chambers and had with him two sons. In 1938 she assumed the presidency of the United Order of Tents, a position she held until her death in 1970. The United Order of Tents was an African American women-founded and run beneficial organization.