Mary Mcleod Bethune
The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) was founded on December 5th, 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune,[1] a distinguished educator, and government consultant whose parents were born into slavery. Mary McLeod Bethune saw the need for harnessing the power and extending the leadership of African-American women through a national organization. In The early years of NCNW, the small volunteer staff operated out of Bethune's living room in Washington D.C.
Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole
National Chair
Dr. Johnetta Betsch Cole is an American Anthropologist, Educator,
Was the first African American President of Spellman college, a historical Black College serving from 1987 to 1997. Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.2009-2017. She is an advocate for social justice. Having the privilege of being mentored by NCNW founder Mary Mcleod Bethune and the honor of working with Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. She became the seventh president and National Chair of the National Council of Negro Women on November 14,2018.
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Metropolitan Sun of Arizona NCNW
Community and Abroad Activities
Our current initiatives on Health & Wellness, Education, Literacy, Teacher Efficacy, Social & Civic Engagement and Civil Rights will help change our community paradigm. Since its inception, the organization has undertaken several pivotal programs and activities to benefit our communities:
Awards Luncheon: Honoring women and men who have provided outstanding services to their respective communities.
Annual Back to School Drive and Sponsored Literacy Program: Donations of books and other school supplies benefit students of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, T.G. Barr, and Dr. Bernard Black Elementary Schools.
Clothing Drive: Donations of various clothing items are donated to the women and children at the Sojourner Center, a transitional housing facility.
International: Donate school supplies to children in Cameroon and shoes to citizens of Tanzania, Africa.
Military: Provided toiletries to the women soldiers of Alpha Company, 10th BSB, Fort Drum, New York unit.
Boy Scout Troop 804: Support was provided to send eight boys to President Barak Obama's inauguration.
Fundraising: Charitable donations to Ebony House, a substance abuse rehabilitation center; Harmony House, a domestic violence shelter for women and children: Black Family and Child Services of Arizona, an adoption and foster care services; and the Susan G Komen Center, which provides free breast cancer treatment, services, and support.
Thanksgiving Meals: Provide traditional Thanksgiving meals to underserved families in Maricopa and Pinal counties.
Angel Tree Ministry: Members and other community citizens contribute gifts, food and entertainment with Santa Claus, for children whose parents are incarcerated.
Arizona State University NCNW Collegiate: Collaboration and mentor young women as they obtain their higher education - developing community leadership for the future.
Metropolitan Sun of AZ, NCNW was Chartered February 17, 2007, under the leadership of Catherine Kennard (Organizer), Antonette Troutman, Terri Brown, Ardith Matthews, Becky Lewis, Becky Calhoun, and Cheryl Bishop. In 2014, Ms. Kennard and Mrs. Washington-Crawford, Vice President of Finance, obtained a 501 (c)(3) status for the Metropolitan Sun Section as a qualified non-profit organization.
In this non-profit membership organization, the members embrace the commitment that we must be a unifying force to sustain our growth and make a difference in our community.