GBS HISTORY
The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. has impacted the Baltimore community since 1943. In that year Kate Sheppard along with Victorine Adams, Juanita Mitchell, Vivian Alleyene and Emma Dudley founded the Metropolitan Council of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. to address social needs and political change in Baltimore City. Vivian Alleyene was its first president and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was the national NCNW president at that time.
In the early seventies a national reorganization of NCNW took place and the section was renamed Greater Baltimore Section-National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (GBS-NCNW, Inc.). On November 30, 1970 the section was chartered by the national NCNW president Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. Elizabeth Demby was the president of GBS-NCNW at that time.
Greater Baltimore Section-National Council of Negro Women, Inc (GBS-NCNW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), non-partisan volunteer membership organization carrying out the mission of NCNW through advocacy, community services and personal development programs
GBS is one of over 240 NCNW sections dedicated to advancing opportunities and quality of life for African-American women, their families, associate members and communities.
GBS members influence the spiritual, social, economic, cultural and political life in Baltimore City, in the nation and internationally. Along with NCNW’s national office and other sections and affiliates, GBS-NCNW continues to build on its existing programs and develop new programs to support women of African descent for successful living and aging.
In the early seventies a national reorganization of NCNW took place and the section was renamed Greater Baltimore Section-National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (GBS-NCNW, Inc.). On November 30, 1970 the section was chartered by the national NCNW president Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. Elizabeth Demby was the president of GBS-NCNW at that time.
Greater Baltimore Section-National Council of Negro Women, Inc (GBS-NCNW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), non-partisan volunteer membership organization carrying out the mission of NCNW through advocacy, community services and personal development programs
GBS is one of over 240 NCNW sections dedicated to advancing opportunities and quality of life for African-American women, their families, associate members and communities.
GBS members influence the spiritual, social, economic, cultural and political life in Baltimore City, in the nation and internationally. Along with NCNW’s national office and other sections and affiliates, GBS-NCNW continues to build on its existing programs and develop new programs to support women of African descent for successful living and aging.
GBS PROGRAMS
GBS-NCNW is a nonprofit volunteer membership organization founded in 1943 that has been focusing on fulfilling its mission through programs, projects and services that provide information, training, mentoring and support about issues affecting African American women and their families, and community.
The Female Leadership Pipeline Project (FLPP) – Women, Youth ages 10 – 18 and Young Adults ages 19 – 35 (city-wide) – An intergenerational multiplatform outreach to prepare women, girls and young women of African descent. The wide range of activities designed will help women improve their lives, strengthen their communities, and prepare the next generation of female leaders. Focus is on intergenerational communication, health, education, economic empowerment, life skills and leadership and professional development to successfully prosper, compete, and lead.
Adopt-a-Family/Adopt-a-School – Collect and donate food and gifts for Thanksgiving and Christmas
International Service/Trip – To help improve the social and economic status of women in their communities internationally
Health Initiative – Speakers/ workshops addressing African American women’s health issues
Leadership Forum (city-wide) – Focus on developing men and women as leaders in the community (leadership, economics, and entrepreneurship)
Legislative Day – Visit local government and sessions in Baltimore City and/or Annapolis
Baby Shower – Collect and donate new gifts for infants to five years of age for female residents in transition homes (every other year)
NCNW National Programs/Activities – Black Family Reunion Celebration, Uncommon Height, National Convention, other regular events include the Affiliates Assembly, Bethune Recognition Programs, among others as announced by National and other events also held throughout the year and across the nation.
The Female Leadership Pipeline Project (FLPP) – Women, Youth ages 10 – 18 and Young Adults ages 19 – 35 (city-wide) – An intergenerational multiplatform outreach to prepare women, girls and young women of African descent. The wide range of activities designed will help women improve their lives, strengthen their communities, and prepare the next generation of female leaders. Focus is on intergenerational communication, health, education, economic empowerment, life skills and leadership and professional development to successfully prosper, compete, and lead.
Adopt-a-Family/Adopt-a-School – Collect and donate food and gifts for Thanksgiving and Christmas
International Service/Trip – To help improve the social and economic status of women in their communities internationally
Health Initiative – Speakers/ workshops addressing African American women’s health issues
Leadership Forum (city-wide) – Focus on developing men and women as leaders in the community (leadership, economics, and entrepreneurship)
Legislative Day – Visit local government and sessions in Baltimore City and/or Annapolis
Baby Shower – Collect and donate new gifts for infants to five years of age for female residents in transition homes (every other year)
NCNW National Programs/Activities – Black Family Reunion Celebration, Uncommon Height, National Convention, other regular events include the Affiliates Assembly, Bethune Recognition Programs, among others as announced by National and other events also held throughout the year and across the nation.
NCNW HISTORY
The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is a council of national African American women’s organizations and community-based sections founded on December 5, 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955), a child of slave parents, distinguished educator, human rights activist, political leader and government consultant. As Advisor of Minority Affairs to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Mrs. Bethune said that she could not rest to see the unharnessed womanpower among our women. She envisioned a “national organization of organizations: with a “unity of purpose and a unity of action” much like the United Nations that would represent the national and international concerns of Black women. Mary Church Terrell proposed forming a “council.” Thus, Mrs. Bethune founded the National Council of Negro Women with 28 national women leaders responding to bring organizations together under one umbrella. The council of autonomous national organizations would function as a clearinghouse, facilitating networking and coalition-building, and advocating the use of collective power on issues affecting Black women and give them the opportunity to realize their goals for social justice and human rights united constructive action.
With a mission to lead, develop and advocate for women of African descent asthey support their families and communities, NCNW fulfills this mission through research, advocacy and national and community-based service and programs on issues of human welfare, health, education and economic empowerment in the United States and Africa.
NCNW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-partisan, voluntary membership service organization with an outreach to nearly four million women through a council of 39 national affiliate African American women’s organizations and more than 240 community-based sections in 34 states and internationally. NCNW national African American organizations include college-based sororities, professional associations and civic and social groups.
NCNW Translates its philosophy of public education, community service and advocacy into programs and activities designed to promote a number of benefits for constituents including:
National and International Programs
Disseminating information about issues affecting African American women, their families and their communities
Promoting healthy lifestyles and behaviors through wellness projects
Sponsoring events, such as the Black Family Reunion Celebration, to build on strengths and traditional values
Training and supporting women and youth in career development and community leadership
Supporting economic development and entrepreneurship
Providing mentoring and educational support to young people
With a mission to lead, develop and advocate for women of African descent asthey support their families and communities, NCNW fulfills this mission through research, advocacy and national and community-based service and programs on issues of human welfare, health, education and economic empowerment in the United States and Africa.
NCNW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-partisan, voluntary membership service organization with an outreach to nearly four million women through a council of 39 national affiliate African American women’s organizations and more than 240 community-based sections in 34 states and internationally. NCNW national African American organizations include college-based sororities, professional associations and civic and social groups.
NCNW Translates its philosophy of public education, community service and advocacy into programs and activities designed to promote a number of benefits for constituents including:
National and International Programs
Disseminating information about issues affecting African American women, their families and their communities
Promoting healthy lifestyles and behaviors through wellness projects
Sponsoring events, such as the Black Family Reunion Celebration, to build on strengths and traditional values
Training and supporting women and youth in career development and community leadership
Supporting economic development and entrepreneurship
Providing mentoring and educational support to young people