Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune

dr. johnnetta Betsch Cole

Mrs. Bethune’s background as a teacher inspired her to open the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in Daytona Beach, Florida. She employed her diverse talents when she founded the National Council of Negro Women in 1935. She envisioned the NCNW to be an “organization of organizations” that would represent the national and international concerns of black women. It would also give black women the opportunity to realize their goals for social justice and human rights through united, constructive action.

dr. johnnetta Betsch Cole

We are proud to announce that Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole was sworn in on Sunday, November 11, 2018, as Chair of the Board and 7th National President of NCNW. We are excited in anticipation of work she will continue to do for women of African descent, their families and communities. Dr. Cole has been a key supporter of NCNW for years and we could not be more grateful that she has consented to lend the organization her reputation and experience. Dr. Cole is known for developing young women leaders. As a lifetime member of NCNW, she had the honor of working with Dr. Dorothy Irene Height and being mentored by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.

dr. dorothy Irene height

dr. johnnetta Betsch Cole

dr. dorothy Irene height

Dr. Dorothy Irene Height (March 24, 1912 – April 20, 2010), an American administrator and educator, was a civil rights and women’s rights activist specifically focused on the issues of African-American women, including unemployment, illiteracy, and voter awareness. She was the president of the National Council of Negro Women for forty years and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.

Montgomery County, Maryland Section

Chartered in 1969, the Montgomery County, Maryland Section serves to further the goals established by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. As a community-based Section, we aim to be a presence in the Montgomery County community and fill in the gaps where needed. The Montgomery County, Maryland Section is a 501 (c) 3 organization.

Our Section endeavors to elevate the spirits of those in despair, eradicate blight, and alleviate the distress of the destitute. Our People-in-Crisis Committee spearheads our monthly projects aimed at helping those in need (women, men, families, youth, children, and infants). These projects target the homeless, women’s and men’s shelters, as well as, sick and/or abandoned infants and children, abused women, etc.

Through our Female Achievers Maintaining Excellence (FAME) Youth Section, we provide monthly cultural, social, academic and enrichment activities for girls, ages 13 – 18.

Our Section promotes healthy lifestyles and behaviors through our annual health initiatives, which also enlighten and inform our community about prevalent, high-risk health issues.

Our members spend time monthly assisting seniors and other residents in nursing homes with their needs and also trying to encourage them in any way that they can. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of paying tribute to several Centenarians and celebrating the positive effect they have had on our community.

We keep abreast of legislative issues that affect our members and community and help to address the educational needs of many students in Montgomery County. Our Section members volunteers annually at Women’s Legislative Briefing.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD. SECTION EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (2020-2022)

Crystal Lee, President

Millie West-Wiggins, 1st Vice President

Kimberly Boone 2nd Vice President

Jennifer Blackwell, 3rd Vice President

Janet LaValle, Corresponding Secretary

Iona Calhoun, Recording Secretary

Jennifer Washington, Assistant Recording Secretary

Shelia Stewart, Financial Secretary

Eleanor Thompson, Treasurer

Janice Jeter, Parliamentarian

Wanda Davis, Chaplain

Joy Barrow, Historian