Darwin McBeth Walton

In recognition of National Book Month, Darwin McBeth Walton, age 97, a Lombard, IL-based luminary in children's literature and currently residing at Beacon Hill is truly a shining light. She is an author of several books as well as a teacher in public education that expands two decades.

Author Darwin McBeth Walton was born Jane Darwin McBeth on September 16, 1926, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to John and Mary McBeth. Walton graduated from West Charlotte High School in 1944. After attending Johnson C. Smith University and Howard University, Walton received her B.A. degree in music from the Chicago Conservatory of Music in 1950. She later returned to school and received her M.E. degree in teaching from National-Louis University (NLU) in 1973. Since 1978, Walton has designed and facilitated five courses in teacher education for NLU and remains in the education arena as student teacher supervisor there.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in April 2024, her seminal children's book "What Color Are You?"—published by Johnson Publishing Company’s Ebony Jr.! imprint—was among the first discussing America's diversity to be incorporated into public school curriculums. This achievement was further recognized with a landmark designation from the Chicago Historical Society.

In 1998, Walton was elected Outstanding Woman Leader in the field of Racial Justice in DuPage County. She was honored again in 2003 with the Distinguished Alumni Humanitarian Award from National-Louis University.

Walton's impact goes beyond her esteemed works. She now leads two writing classes at Beacon Hill, assisting residents in crafting their memoirs. The writing classes that she teaches at Beacon Hill senior living are every first and third Thursday at 11:30 am. The group of residents call themselves "The Bookworms"