The
National Council of Negro Women was established on December 5, 1935 at the YMCA
in New York City. Dr. Bethune held a meeting of African American women from various
organizations because she saw a need for women to unite and to present an untied
front in addressing the challenges confronting the black community. On that day
NCNW was born.
Dr. Bethune was the child of former
slaves, as a child she worked the cotton fields. She did not have the opportunity
to go to school until she was nine years old. From this beginning, her love for
education was strong. She founded Bethune-Cookman College in 1904. Not only did
Dr. Bethune establish businesses, religious institutes, and groups from teachers
but she also played important advisory roles in the Coolidge, Hoover, Truman and
Roosevelt administrations. Dr. Bethune received eight honorary degrees from leading
American colleges and universities. She was a tireless proponent of civil rights.
Dr. Bethune served as the first president of NCNW for 14 years until she passed
in May of 1955.
The goal of NCNW is to unite organizations
of African American women to give a loud voice and to provide leadership for women
as they become increasingly integrated into the spiritual, social, economic, cultural
and political life in America. Since its inception, NCNW has encouraged black
women to serve as catalysts for social change. Women of all backgrounds are welcome
to join NCNW and to live the legacy Dr. Bethune left for them. |
