Women of Vision Young Adult Club,
National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, Inc.
"Lifting As We Climb"

 

Pioneer Women Organizers

 

Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin was a founder of the first colored woman's club in Boston, one of the earliest of these clubs in the United States- the "Women's Era Club."  She, as on of the first pioneers in the organization of women, call the first convention of colored women which culminated the first meeting of the National Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.

 

 

Hallie Quinn Brown The direct descendent of the freed slave served the 7th national president of the NACWC.  Her home, known as "Homewood Cottage," in the village of Wilberforce University, serves as a center from which there has arisen influences of great values to work of women and girls in Ohio and in the nation.

 

Mary Church Terrell was born in Memphis, Tennessee, September 23, 1863.  This lecturer and author was a charter member of the NAACP.  Terrell held an interest in interracial community work.  She served during W.W. I as National Supervisor of Work among colored women for the War Camp Community Service.  She was elected as the first president of the NACWC in 1896 and was re-elected twice to the position.  Since that time we have had 24 other presidents along with Dr. Patricia L. Fletcher who is currently serving as our 25th president.

 

Victoria Earl Matthews was born at Fort Valley, Georgia, May 27, 1861.  She became one of the most vigorous participants in the organization of the NACWC and served as chairman of the Executive Board in 1896.  She was later appointed National Organizer.

 

Josephine Silone Yates, born in 1859, was an ardent supporter of the movement which led to the organization of the NACWC and would also serve as its treasurer and president.

 

Margaret  Murray Washington (a.k.a.. Mrs. Booker T. Washington) was another pioneer woman during the period of the organization of colored women.  She began the organization of a woman's group which was know as the Tuskegee Women's Club.  She was also in attendance at the organizational meeting of the NACWC and served subsequently as one of its presidents.

 

 

Fann(y)ie Jackson Coppin was born in 1835 in Washington D.C.  She was one of the Pioneer figures in the organization of women's club work.

Additional information on each of the women above may be found at the web page below:
Hallie Brown's Homespun Heroines

 

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