OUR ORGANIZATION
The National Council of Negro Women was founded by Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935. Bethune, born to former slaves a decade after the end of the Civil War, believed that through education African Americans could begin to prosper in a country that still opposed racial equality. She devoted her life to ensuring that African Americans had the right to education as well as to freedom from discrimination. More specifically, Bethune recognized the necessity to extend the leadership of black women through a national organization.
In 1935, Bethune called together 28 national women leaders to form "an organization of organizations," a council that became the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW). Bethune envisioned NCNW serving as a clearinghouse, facilitating networking and coalition building, and advocating the use of collective power on issues affecting women, their families, and their communities. Today, NCNW sponsors educational, economic, social, and cultural projects nationally and locally to achieve equality of opportunity. Additionally, NCNW strives to eliminate prejudice and discrimination based upon race, creed, color, sex, or national origin.
OUR CHAPTER
The University of Alabama chapter of National Council Negro Women, Inc. was founded, January 1998 by a group of educated black women that had a vision of bringing the organization to a predominately white campus. This group of young, independent women led and empowered the student body at The University of Alabama. Following their lead, today The University of Alabama chapter members strive to uphold the foundation in which the organization was founded upon. Along with our mission to lead, develop, and advocate we also strive for sisterhood, service, and commitment to our community.
The National Council of Negro Women was founded by Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935. Bethune, born to former slaves a decade after the end of the Civil War, believed that through education African Americans could begin to prosper in a country that still opposed racial equality. She devoted her life to ensuring that African Americans had the right to education as well as to freedom from discrimination. More specifically, Bethune recognized the necessity to extend the leadership of black women through a national organization.
In 1935, Bethune called together 28 national women leaders to form "an organization of organizations," a council that became the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW). Bethune envisioned NCNW serving as a clearinghouse, facilitating networking and coalition building, and advocating the use of collective power on issues affecting women, their families, and their communities. Today, NCNW sponsors educational, economic, social, and cultural projects nationally and locally to achieve equality of opportunity. Additionally, NCNW strives to eliminate prejudice and discrimination based upon race, creed, color, sex, or national origin.
OUR CHAPTER
The University of Alabama chapter of National Council Negro Women, Inc. was founded, January 1998 by a group of educated black women that had a vision of bringing the organization to a predominately white campus. This group of young, independent women led and empowered the student body at The University of Alabama. Following their lead, today The University of Alabama chapter members strive to uphold the foundation in which the organization was founded upon. Along with our mission to lead, develop, and advocate we also strive for sisterhood, service, and commitment to our community.