Through the efforts of the College Alumnae Club seven branches were organized in cities where college women desired the affiliation with the founding group.
On April 6-7, 1923 representatives of the newly organized branches met in Washington, D.C. to consider the foundation of a national organization. A temporary National Association of College Women was formed. It was at the next conference on April 25-26, 1924 that the permanent organization was established and in November of that year it was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia.
On August 9, 1974 at the biennial convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Association accepted its updated Charter and became known as the National Association of University Women (NAUW). The Association from its inception is a service and educational organization.
As the years progressed, the organization raised its voice regarding major civic and national issues such as business opportunities for African-Americans, mental health and child welfare, and the improvement of interracial and international relations.
The Association has cooperated with national and local social and economic programs and is affiliated with the National Council of Negro Women, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, United Negro College Fund, the National Coalition for Literacy, and the American Council on Education.
In the beginning, the women of NAUW were proactive regarding the education of women, their living conditions on campuses, the need for a dean of women who would be an advocate for women students and the training of teachers.
History of NAUW, Inc
The College Alumnae Club was organized March 1910 by Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, Dr. Sara Brown, Dr. Nancy Fairfax Brown, and Miss Mary Cromwell in Washington, DC. Twenty university graduates joined elected officers and planned a program. The new Club desired to stimulate young women to attain professional excellence, to exert influence in various movements for the civic good, and to promote a close personal and intellectual fellowship among professional women.
In 1919 the Club invited the first group of university graduates, who lived outside the District, to organize. Baltimore accepted the invitation.
History of Richmond Branch
The Richmond Branch supported and sponsored many worthwhile service activities namely: receptions for Virginia Union graduates and other receptions, decorated the Ladies Lounge, assisted with the Fine Arts Festival at Virginia Union every year, supported and volunteered at the 17th Street Day Care for Children, Richmond Community Hospital, Baptist Children’s Home, Zeta’s Stork Nest, AARP Grand parenting Program, YMCA, both the Phyllis Wheatley Branch and the Chamberlayne Avenue Branch.
We sponsored workshops for youth in Gilpin Court and 5th Street Baptist Church, worked with Richmond Nursing Home on Hospital Street by making trays for various holidays also visiting patients and taking gifts to them, playing Bingo, and entertaining them. One cannot forget the girls we sponsored in the charm classes held by Thalhimers or the Thalhimers Fashion Shows.
In addition, the Richmond Branch honored Unsung Heroes, adopted the second-grade classes at Norrell School for five years, partnered with a Boy Scout Troop, and gave scholarships annually. While continuing our branch legacy and following our National five-point initiatives, the Richmond Branch continues to honor community Unsung Heroes, sponsor scholarships, donate to the local food pantry, participate in Read Across America in our elementary schools, and adopt/support classes in our elementary schools. We take pride in preparing and delivering Christmas boxes to be delivered to students at the Pete Paul Development Center as one of our partnerships.
Additionally, members work to present health initiatives such as breast cancer awareness and mental health wellness as we include financial literacy. Several members have served as National officers: Lillian McDaniel, National President; Charlotte Jeffries, National Treasurer; Emma Washington, National Recording Secretary; Ethel H. Smith, National Treasurer; Eleanor Boyd, National Recording Secretary and National Financial Secretary. Several have also served on National Committees. Former Presidents of the Richmond Branch are: Olga Russell, Lillian Jenkins, Mary Riley, Ora Newman, Marion Johnson, Lillian McDaniel, Pearle Robinson, Sarah Whitehead, Barbara McDaniel Harris, Blanche Case, Blanche Smith, Margaret Turner, Ethel Smith, Eleanor Boyd, Dahlia Briggs, Magnolia Patron, Dr. Brenda Thompson, Ila Greene, Vera Wheeler, Doris Williams, Dr. Shirley Segar, Grace Williams, Myrtle Battle, Doris Booker, Ashla Hill Roseboro, Dr. Kimberly Battle, and Diana Dozier. History by Eleanor Boyd Updated by Doris W. Booker, President/Journalist (2009) Updated and submitted (2021 & 2023) Diana Dozier, Past President Richmond Branch-NAUW
The Richmond Branch was organized on the campus of Virginia Union University in 1931 by Ethel Harris Carter. However, due to Virginia Union’s lack of accreditation, graduates of the University could not join, and the organization was short-lived. The Richmond Branch was reorganized in 1933 by Olga Russell, Ethel Overby, Nina Harris Morton, Daisy Jones Gilliam, Katherine Roma Johns, Corinne Brown Galvin, Ora J. Newman, Martha Spruiell, Jean Pace Harris, Ethel Harris Carter, and Aldena Davis.
Shortly after reorganization, Lavinia J. Banks joined the Branch and played a vital role in Virginia Union’s accreditation and subsequent admission of graduates as members of the organization. In 1974 the name of the organization was changed to the National Association of University Women. Thus, we became the Richmond Branch of the National Association of University Women.