In December of 1935 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune founded the National Council of Negro Women to fill a need for an organization that channels the abilities of African American women into programs of advocacy and vital human services. This organization has now grown to over 4.5 million members, 34 national affiliates and more than 250 local sections.
NCNW unites together people from all walks of life with the goals of freedom, equality and justice through participation in local programs that benefit the community.
The Santa Clara County Section of the National Council of Negro Women was started in the late 1960's and received charter status in 1981. This section is active in a number of different programs within the community including the Juneteenth Festival, the Annual Senior Citizen's Christmas Party and the Minority Women's Conference. The NCNW also serves meals as various homeless shelters, provides clothing and toys for children's home in the community, makes holiday food baskets for the needy, and works with the Children's Shelter. The local section of the NCNW is also participating in national projects such as the NCNW International Development Project which was created to aid African women by providing them with farming tools, as well as other equipment.
For website access to the National Chapter, Click here
Erin Kimura
