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HISTORY

In March, 1910, during an informal conversation, four college women conceived the idea of an organization of college women. These women were dedicated to furthering educational opportunities for women. The four women were Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, Dr. Sara Brown, Dr. Fairfax Brown and Miss Mary Cromwell. In April, 1910, Dr. Georgianna Simpson, Miss Bertha McNeil and other college graduates who were residents or teachers in Washington, D.C., joined them and formed what was known as the College Alumnae Club. The first president of the College Alumnae Club was Mrs. Mary Church Terrell.

On April 6 and 7, 1923, the members of the College Alumnae Club, believing their work too important to be localized, invited some college of Baltimore, Maryland to join them in a national organization. During the 1920's the Washington, D.C. group organized seven branches in cities where there were women who were interested in the program initiated by the College Alumnae Club.

It was in 1923 that the College Alumnae Club of Washington, D. C. called representatives from the branches to attend a conference. From this gathering of great minds emerged the National Association of College Women.

The national organization was incorporated in 1924 under the name of the National Association of College Women. The first National President was Mrs. Lucy D. Slowe, the late Dean of Women of Howard University. 

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