The National Association of Colored Women

The National Association of Colored Women (NACW) was founded in 1896 to unify Black women’s clubs across the United States in the fight for racial uplift, social reform, and women’s rights. Formed by leaders including Mary Church Terrell, Ida B. Wells, and Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, the organization adopted the motto “Lifting as We Climb,” reflecting its mission to advance the entire Black community through education, activism, and mutual support.The NACW addressed critical issues such as lynching, segregation, voter suppression, and access to education and healthcare, while also promoting economic independence and moral leadership. Members established schools, kindergartens, settlement houses, and programs for working women and children. At a time when Black women faced both racial and gender discrimination, the NACW created a powerful national network for advocacy and leadership.As one of the largest and most influential Black women’s organizations of its era, the NACW laid essential groundwork for the modern Civil Rights and women’s movements.The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminuteBecome a paid subscriber to the Unhidden Minute Podcast for one year and receive a copy of The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesedwardmills.substack.com/subscribe