The National Council of Negro Women Just Turned 90

The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is celebrating its 90th Founders Day today, marking nine decades of leading, empowering, and advocating for women of African descent, their families, and their communities.

Founded in 1935 by the trailblazing educator and activist Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, NCNW has grown into one of the most influential Black women’s organizations in the nation. As an “organization of organizations,” NCNW brings together over 300 campus and community-based sections and 32 national women’s organizations, collectively enlightening, inspiring, and connecting more than 2 million women.

NCNW is committed to confronting and dismantling the systems that create and sustain inequities for Black women and their communities. Through its robust social justice initiatives, the organization equips its members with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to become powerful advocates capable of taking action on behalf of Black women, their families, and the communities they lead.

NCNW’s advocacy and policy efforts focus on several critical areas, including gun violence prevention, caregiving support, veterans affairs, human trafficking, online and AI environments, the crisis of missing and murdered Black women, the protection of DEI efforts, and increasing voter turnout.

Today we at Watch The Yard honor the legacy and bright future of the National Council of Negro Women and all of its members!