HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

of
BLACK WOMEN'S EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE 

B - Black WomenW - Working Diligently ToE - Effectively and EfficientlyA - Achieve Our Goals

Black Women's Educational Alliance, referred to an BWEA, is an organization that was founded in response to the expressed concerns about the equality of opportunities for black women in all divisions of the field of education as well as their intellectual and professional development.

In 1975 four highly professional women had a vision. The vision began with an informal meeting on the deck at the home of Dr. Florence H. Scott. With Florence were three other founders - the late Dr. Gwendolyn Gates Hewlett, Dr. Sadie S. Mitchell and Leontine D. Scott. Invitations were then sent to black women who held administrative positions in the School District of Philadelphia. Twenty-eight women responded and later joined with the founders to become the charter members of the Philadelphia Chapter. The DECK SET, as they were initially called, held monthly meetings to share information, ideas and projections as they related to their administrative responsibilities. As a direct result of the "DECK SET" meetings, the BLACK WOMEN'S EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE was born.

Dr. Florence H. Scott was the first president of the organization. Under her leadership and that of her executive committee, the vision began to take form. Organizational purposes were clearly delineated. Bylaws were constructed to bring order to the pursuit. An ambitious program of self help was adopted. One of the primary functions was, and continues to be, networking to address such concerns as job security, desegregation, integration, contracts, state codes and women's rights.

Charter officers of BWEA were Dr. Florence H. Scott, president; Dr. Hytolia R. James, vice president; Dr. Ernestine Carter, corresponding secretary; Dr. Jacqueline Sheppard, recording secretary; Dorothy Caldwell, financial secretary; and Dorothy Rush, treasurer.

Charter members were Dr. Jeanette Brewer, Dr. Franzella Buchanan, Dr. Constance E. Clayton, Dr.Althea Cousins, Sandra Cunningham, Jacquelyn Dougans, Ella Evans, Dr. Marjorie Farmer, Barbara Foxworth, Elaine Gardner, Soledad Gillespie, Odette Harris, Sophie Hayward, Dr. Phyllis Henderson, Dr. Gwendolyn Gates Hewlett, Dr. Carolyn Hill, Rachel Hill, Dahlia Johnson, Doris Lane, Christine Lindsey, Jerusha Logan, Dr. Sadie Mitchell, Julia Moore Mitchell, Dr. Ida Peterson, Dr.Daisy R.Reaves, Leontine D. Scott, Elaine Haith, Dr. Lurline Sweeting, Martha C. Young and Dr. Ann Waiters.

Sensing the need to interact with women in the field of education in surrounding communities, the Philadelphia Chapter of BWEA assumed a leadership role in encouraging and facilitating that contact. The Chapter formed an Expansion Committee. At the helm of this significant committee was the capable Dr. Hytolia R. James.

The Philadelphia Chapter sponsored a number of informational meetings with educators from the surrounding counties. From such meetings, a nucleus of Abington teachers coalesced to form the second BWEA chapter - Montgomery County Chapter (Montco - BWEA)

Montco BWEA began its formative years under the able leadership of Sandra Wilson with the guidance of Dr. Hytolia R. James, Expansion Committee Chairperson. The formation of the Montgomery County Chapter in 1979 was a further strengthening of the BWEA network.

Montco Chapter charter officers serving with President Sandra Wilson were Florence Dinkins, vice president; Myra Morrison, recording secretary; Mildred Jordan, corresponding secretary; Elva Bell, financial secretary; Margaret Pinder Bing, treasurer; and Brenda Demby, parliamentarian. Charter membership included Selba Boyd, Doris Brooks, Deborah Carroll, Hilda Carter, Dorothy Case, Janet Edwards, Barbara Harris, Marie Holland, Marie Johnson, Carrie Jones, Gloria Jones, Mildred Jordan, Mahlene Lee, Carolyn Manns, Jacqueline Porter, Rosetta Robinson, Lillian Stewart, Winnifred Sudler, Ann Sumpter and Jean Turk.

Soon there were black women from other areas seeking to create strength through unity with BWEA. Further affiliation efforts were held in abeyance until the creation of an umbrella chapter, a chapter that will provide direction and guidance to present and future chapters.

Martha C. Young was assigned the task of chairing a committee to construct a set of by-laws for a Central Chapter and to convene a meeting for the adoption of those by-laws. This herculean task was accomplished by November, 1986. It was an accomplishment that made yet another milestone for BWEA.

     


 


 

 

 

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