Maude Toulson photograph documents the professional life of Maude Toulson, the first female Postmaster of the United States. The photograph is from September 10, 1938, and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the Baltimore Sun.

aude Ringgold was born in Chestertown, Maryland on October 24, 1883 to Josiah and Matilda Cox Ringgold. She attended the Hanna Moore Academy in Baltimore and Ogontz College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1906 she married John M. Toulson, also of Chestertown; the couple moved to Salisbury the following year where Dr. Toulson opened a drug store on Main Street.  When Dr. Toulson was disabled by a stroke, Maude operated the business, later selling it and keeping the building.  During the 1918 flu epidemic, Maude administered to the affected families.  
In addition to teaching at Wicomico High School and raising her two daughters, Mrs. Toulson was an active participant in Democratic politics. She supported candidates throughout the shore and entertained many people, including governors, congressmen, and senators, in her home.  She met many times with Franklin D. Roosevelt who appointed her Postmistress of the Salisbury Post Office in 1936.  As postmistress, she fought to have for postal service expanded to two deliveries a day, increased rural free delivery service, and installed the first local air mail service. 
Active in the civic affairs and social life of the community, she was one of the founding members of the Quota Club and a member of the Episcopal Church. During World War II she led the local war bond division, Red Cross, and Community Fund Drive.  She retired from the post office in 1946 and died on March 30, 1948 after a long illness.
In 1984 Congress passed the legislation H.R. 4107 98TH (1983-1984) which designated the post office in Salisbury as the Maude R. Toulson Federal Building. From the Congressional Record, one of the legislators is quoted as saying:
"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a woman who made her presence felt in the community and business world, generations before it became fashionable to do so. Maude R. Toulson blazed trails in the early 20th century that many still have trouble travelling today."