GBS NCNW Greater Boston Section - National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

GBS NCNW Greater Boston Section - National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Inspiring with Vision: Performing the Extraordinary Having served as a president of a black
women’s organization during the women’s club movement, Mrs. In Mrs.

History of NCNW
The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) was founded in 1935 by Mary
McLeod Bethune, a prominent educator, civil and women’s rights leader,
and government consultant. Bethune
recognized the need to unify the coalitions under one umbrella. She
envisioned NCNW flourishing as an “organization of organizations” that
would coalesce and extend leadership to black women. As an entity, i

t
would function as a clearinghouse for the activities of women. Bethune’s words, “…the organization would be united so that when it
speaks, its power will be felt.”
Headquartered in Washington, D. C., NCNW leads, develops, and
advocates for women of African descent so that they, in turn, can
strengthen their support of families and communities. Focal points of
the organization include human welfare and rights through public
education, community service, and advocacy. Dr. Dorothy I. Height, a powerhouse of a woman with a passion for
human rights and justice, served as president of NCNW from 1957 to
1998. She later became the chair and president emerita until her death
in 2010. Under her leadership, she enriched NCNW’s community-based
programs domestically and globally. Dr. Height focused on many
triumphant initiatives that ranged from voter registration in
Mississippi to anti-hunger programs in rural areas, from home ownership
subsidy programs to the establishment of the Bethune Museum and
Archives for Black Women. On an international level, in 1957 she
created the only voluntary organization in Africa. Dr. Height once
said, “Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes,
but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goal.”
In 1966, NCNW was granted 501(c)(3) non profit status. This empowered
the organization’s operation and set the stage for a permanent
underpinning for the council and section structure. More than 38
national affiliated organizations have evolved and 240 community based
sections support NCNW.

Our Power Up Ready to vote webinar is postponed. We'll keep you posted on a rescheduling date.
08/15/2026

Our Power Up Ready to vote webinar is postponed. We'll keep you posted on a rescheduling date.

🎉 Happy Birthday to our members born in August! 🎂May your day be filled with love, your year with blessings, and your jo...
08/04/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to our members born in August! 🎂

May your day be filled with love, your year with blessings, and your journey with continued success. 💜

Want to share your point of view? Join Greater Boston Section Immediate Past President Lisa Braxton-Reid at the Cape Cod...
07/22/2026

Want to share your point of view? Join Greater Boston Section Immediate Past President Lisa Braxton-Reid at the Cape Cod Writers Center Conference for an interactive workshop to learn the art of crafting persuasive Op-Eds, analyze real-world examples, and write your own draft with supportive feedback.

Register at www.capecodwriterscenter.org/conference/information to join her later this month! Boston Writers of Color Sigma Gamma Rho - Lambda Kappa Sigma Chapter (South Shore Massachusetts) Elizabeth T Harris Nagarajah Mary Howard

07/22/2026
💜 The Greater Boston Section of the National Council of Negro Women (GBS NCNW) was honored to celebrate the literary acc...
07/21/2026

💜 The Greater Boston Section of the National Council of Negro Women (GBS NCNW) was honored to celebrate the literary accomplishments of former member Ada C. M. Thomas at the launch and book signing of her novel, Aminata, inspired by the life of acclaimed actress, activist, and artist Abbey Lincoln.

Held at the Shaw–Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library, the event featured an engaging conversation between Dr. Ada C. M. Thomas and Dr. Afua Ansong, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Rhode Island and author of Black Ballad. The program was emceed by former GBS NCNW member Violet Apple.

The occasion brought together both past and present GBS NCNW members in a wonderful reunion of sisterhood and support. Former member Linda McKenzie was in attendance, along with current members Dr. Adine Latimore, Denise Turner, Imelda Price, Deborah Gillis-Landrum, and Billye Ruth Thomas.

We also proudly recognize that Dr. Ada C. M. Thomas was a recipient of the GBS NCNW WCC Award in 2008. Congratulations to Dr. Thomas on this remarkable achievement. We celebrate her continued commitment to preserving and sharing the stories of Black women through literature and wish her every success with Aminata!

💜📚 Congratulations, Dr. Thomas!

💜Happy Birthday Madame President!
07/21/2026

💜Happy Birthday Madame President!

Help us wish our President and CEO Shavon Arline-Bradley a Happy Birthday!!!🎁🎈🎂

💜✨ Celebrating Our Bethune Legacy ✨💜The Greater Boston Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is pr...
07/20/2026

💜✨ Celebrating Our Bethune Legacy ✨💜

The Greater Boston Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is proud to welcome our newest members into a legacy of service, leadership, sisterhood, and community impact.

Please join us in welcoming:

💜 Adi Adichie
💜 D’Andria Canas
💜 Kercine Elie
💜 Essiet Adidiong Ette
💜 Dr. Linda B. Hudson
💜 Naila Hunter
💜 Natalie Kelly-Moro
💜 Samantha Leonard
💜 Dr. Sheila Marcellus
💜 Andrea Mitchell
💜 Amanda Mitchell
💜 Robin Scott
💜 Jennifer Sergile

As we honor the legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, we celebrate the vision, talents, and contributions each of you brings to our collective work.

Welcome to the Greater Boston Section, sisters! We look forward to serving, growing, and making a meaningful difference in our communities—together. 💜

07/20/2026
07/19/2026

💜Congratulations to Brayla Wright on successfully completing the 2025–2026 Bethune Legacy Mentorship Program through the Greater Boston Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW)! 🎓✨

We are proud to celebrate this important milestone and commend Brayla for her dedication, growth, and commitment to the mentorship journey. We wish her continued success as she carries the legacy forward! 💜👏🏾

Adine Latimore Mary Howard Author Natasha Mason-Walker Elizabeth T Harris Nagarajah

Address

Boston, MA

Telephone

+16176159140

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when GBS NCNW Greater Boston Section - National Council of Negro Women, Inc. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to GBS NCNW Greater Boston Section - National Council of Negro Women, Inc.:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category