For the past 30 years, National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. members have been advocates for women of color through national and local actions that promote leadership development and gender equality. This mission is put in motion by grassroots efforts of women who believe the fight for fairness is not over.
“We understand that women like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth started this conversation over 200 years ago. It’s the same conversation and same agenda, but it takes on a new context every few decades,” said Dee Dee Strum, national president of the NC100BW.
Strum, who resides in Indianapolis, believes the city is the perfect place for the organization to remember its roots and map its future. Celebrating their 30th anniversary is also momentous because the group was originated during a time when there were various established and nationally known women’s organizations, such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the National Council of Negro Women. The NC100BW is also hosting its 15th National Biennial Conference in Indianapolis.
“The fact that we have sustained ourselves for three decades confirms that we’re here to stay,” said Strum who went on to say that she believes the NC100BW’s viability stems from their tireless efforts in seeking social change for women.
NC100BW is not a social or community service club, but a non-partisan advocacy organization. It is largely comprised of professional women, however, members are represented from various populations. Their purpose is to rally for social change by influencing public policy and large-scale institutional reforms.
The group is a major advocate on the effects of HIV/AIDS on African-American women and girls. Strum touts that the NC100BW was among the first women’s organizations to publicly discuss and have a national agenda surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
“Back then, this was a conversation that Blacks weren’t engaging in at all and much less in the context of what I call the polite African-American women’s organizations. We took that issue on in the ‘80s,” said Strum.
This is one of many agendas under the organization’s health programs. Members also fight for equality within education and economic development by instituting programs such as “My Sister’s Keeper,” a financial literacy program where local chapters partner with members of the financial community to host workshops.
The organization is also working on instituting a new initiative called “Bridging the Generations,” a job training and peer counseling program for women of various demographics.
In the area of education, NC100BW is collaborating with United Way in efforts to increase the high school graduation rate. Strum said local NC100BW chapters may address this issue differently, but her goal is to empower the chapters to become leaders in education reform.
Colleen Bolden Smith, Indianapolis Biennial chair, said the Indianapolis chapter of NC100BW has numerous programs that support the national agenda. A few examples include their Financial Literacy program that is designed to bring financial stability into the lives of Black women and The Academy for Girls, which provides mentoring, scholarships and career building to middle and high school girls.
Another is Gourmet Gents, their major fundraiser, which helps to support initiatives such as the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative.
NC100BW’s programs and agendas are beneficial to the community, but the highly anticipated biennial will include speakers and workshops that will rejuvenate and galvanize members to return to their communities and continue their goals.
The Oct. 5-9 conference will be held at various locations in downtown Indianapolis. The theme, “Honoring Our Heritage, Transforming Our Future, Strengthening Our Leadership,” will consist of workshops such as information for women considering running for a political position; a session that discusses domestic policy and economic recovery; education reform; the fate of Blacks’ health; a town hall meeting held at the Madame Walker Theatre and other business and plenary sessions.
Speakers for these sessions include: Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, the first African-American woman to serve in the California State Assembly; Theresa Cox, a trade advisor to the U.S. Department of Commerce; Anita DeFrantz of the International Olympic Committee; Dr. C. Virginia Fields, president and CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS; and Eleanor Hinton Hoytt, CEO of the National Black Women’s Health Imperative among others.
Strum said a primary issue they plan to tackle during the conference is teen pregnancy among Black girls. Paula Parker-Sawyers, senior director of outreach and partnerships for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and former deputy mayor of Indianapolis will be the presenter. NC100BW has been collaborating with Parker-Sawyers’ organization and at the biennial will introduce their initiative against teen pregnancy in the Black community.
The conference ends with an officer installation and awards ceremony. Bolden Smith said that this biennial conference is also a great time for women interested in joining the organization to see what it’s about. Although this even is for members, anyone can register for the conference.
“I joined because there were many women in the organization that I knew and admired in the community. When speaking with members, I found that they were able to have a meaningful impact with girls of color in our city. Those are things that fit well with my passions,” said Nichole Wilson who became a member in 2008 and an active member in the chapter’s personal and professional development committee.
Strum said that Black women have a history of supporting everyone else’s agenda, but have a hard time defining and promoting their own. The NC100BW is one that is committed to strengthening Black women so that they can continue to be a pillar of support in their community.
