African American women have always taken a stand to work together to meet the everyday needs of the African American community. There were many women who took their stand outside of the family life and made their life work evolve into the work of building a strong community devoted to the betterment of the community. African American Women Organizations have taken many steps to meet the educational, social, emotional and financial needs of the community. Below are a list of organizations that are specifically in the area of Memphis, however, all of these organizations are represented nationally as well. Black women's clubs developed soon after the Civil War. In the late 19th century, black women organized church related clubs, mutual aid societies,literary and cultural societies and participated in temperance groups and suffrage groups. Julia Hooks organized a chapter of the Phillis Wheatley Society (affiliated with the Women's Loyal Union of New York) in 1894. Memphis women's clubs affiliated with the NACW in the late 19th century. Former Memphian Mary Church Terrell was the first president of this national organization. In 1915, several black women organized the Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club (not the same as Hooks' group), which maintained an active membership until the 1990s. Elite was only one of many groups established by African American Women in the city.
The Memphis Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. was founded in 1945. Jack and Jill is the oldest African American family organization, which was organized by Marion Stubbs Thomas in 1938 in Philadelphia. Jack and Jill have a capacity of 85 slots to be filled in their membership and currently 65 slots have been taken. The Memphis Chapter was the First organization to build a Habitat House, and through their consistent community efforts have crossed the international boundaries into the countries of Nigeria and West Africa.
The Links, Inc began with nine women in 1946 during segregation. Links has about 270 chapters nationally and their efforts has raised $1 million dollars for the United Negro College Fund and $1 million dollars for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. Some prominent women that are national links are: Johnetta Cole (former president of Spelman College) Sharon Pratt Kelly (Former Mayor of Washington D.C.) Marian Wright Edema (founder of Children's Defense Fund). On a local level, The Memphis Chapter was founded in 1952 and the oldest of the three link chapters in Mid South area. The Memphis chapter main fundraiser is the Holiday Cotillion. The Shelby County Chapter was founded in 1985 and its main fundraiser is the Beautillion Militaire in which high school men are presented. The River City Chapter is the youngest of the three chapters was founded in 1993. The main fundraiser is the Coming of Age Celebration, which girls 11 to 14 are presented.
Maria Bradford and Dr. Sarah Chandler founded the J.U.G.S. International in 1953. The major charity organization is Goodwill Homes. Their main fundraiser is the Living Ads Ball.
Smart Set, a public service organization, was founded in Washington, D.C. at Howard University. Smart set has chapters in 22 cities. The Memphis Chapter was founded in 1953. The Memphis Chapter has raised money for LeMoyne Owen College, United Negro College Fund and Girls Incorporated. The Current President of Smart is Dr. Jessie McGee.
The Moles, Memphis Chapter was founded in 1978.
The Memphis Chapter of Girlfriends, Inc., was founded in 1979. Their main focus is raising money for college scholarships.
The Honorable Judge Veronica Coleman Davis founded coalition of 100 Black Women in 1981 in New York. Coalition of 100 Black Women's mission is the empowerment of Black women through economics, finance, and health awareness. Coalition of 100 Black Women offer scholarships to women of all ages through their fundraising events such as fashion shows, bachelor auctions and seminars that focus on women issues. 100 Black women is the only organization that is opened to the public. The other organizations' memberships are by invitation only.
For further information or scholarship information, please contact the current President Teresa Isom at NCBWMEMPHIS1982@hotmail.com. Meetings are held every second Saturday AT THE Civil Rights Museum at 10:00a.m.
