Organization for Black Women addresses needs of the community

Members of the National Council of Negro Women Chicago Central Section giving donations to a men’s shelter during Father’s Day. PHOTO PROVIDED BY NCNW.
Members of the National Council of Negro Women Chicago Central Section giving donations to a men’s shelter during Father’s Day. PHOTO PROVIDED BY NCNW.

Organization for Black Women addresses needs of the community

By Tia Carol Jones

The National Council of Negro Women was founded on December 5, 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. The mission of the organization is to lead, advocate and develop women of African descent, while addressing the concerns of the women, their communities and their families.

There are about 240 sections of the National Council of Negro Women and about 35 affiliate organizations that partner with the NCNW, making it an organization of organizations. It is an International organization that reaches 4 million people.  Nationally, some of the organization’s notable members include Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, Dr. Thelma T. Daley. Currently, The Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley is the President and CEO of NCNW.

The National Council of Negro Women Chicago Central Section was founded in 2010, by women who saw a need for the organization in Chicago, to address the concerns of the youth in the community and other issues that impact people in the city. “They took the national initiatives and said we can apply these to our needs in Chicago,” said Dr. Ramona E. Jackson-James, the President of the National Council of Negro Women Chicago Central Section.

The NCNW Chicago Central Section promotes healthy lifestyles, trains and prepares women and youth in career development, supports economic development and entrepreneurship and promotes community leadership, as well as providing mentoring. NCNW Chicago Central Section recently launched its scholarship programs, The NCNW Chicago Central Section Scholarship and the Gertrude Jones Memorial Scholarship.

Jackson-James believes organizations like NCNW Chicago Section are so important for the Black community because the women who participate in the organization are genuinely concerned about the issues that are going on in their community, whether that is nationally or locally.  “They bring their resources, their talents, their skills, their networks to the National Council of Negro Women in their sections or their affiliate organization to come support and help whatever is going on in the community and address our needs,” she said.

Jackson-James added, it is important that people look at organizations like the National Council of Negro Women and see how they can support and be an advocate for them as they continue their work in the communities. NCNW Chicago Central Section tries to address concerns and needs as they are presented. Jackson-James said the organization is very intentional about everything it does.

There are currently more than 100 women in the NCNW Chicago Section and they come from various backgrounds, experiences and skills and they are genuinely concerned about the community. “It’s just great to be among a group of women who are like-minded. Because, you know, we always see on television that we don’t get along, but in our organizations, we do. We  support each other and we support our community,” Jackson-James said.

The NCNW Chicago Central Section’s signature event is its Brunch of Honor which takes place every year in April. There were more than 500 people in attendance and honored women in education – higher, high school and elementary education – as well as business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders. During the event, a young woman who they recognized as a changemaker was also honored.

The NCNW Chicago Central Section partnered with Blue Door and Top Ladies of Distinction Will County Black Diamond Chapter to host a health and wellness fair. The organization is focusing on immunizations and the concerns the African American community has regarding immunizations.

For more information about the National Council of Negro Women Chicago Central Section, visit chicagocentralncnw.org. You can also find them on Facebook at CCSNCNW, on Instagram at NCNW Chicago Central Twitter at @NCNWChicagoCentral.

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