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District Governors:
E. Josephine Lowery
Washington, D.C.
Mid-Atlantic

Jacquelin Washington
Detroit, Michigan
North Central

Dorothea Lee
Newark, New Jersey
Northeast

Robbie Heard
Port Authur, Texas
South Central

Charlotte Lewis
Riviera Beach, Fla.
Southeast

Audrey "mickey" Tyler
San Diego, Ca. 92114

August 7-11, 1984
National Convention
Ritz Carlton Buckhead
Atlanta, Georgia

August 5-7, 1984
Pre-convention Continuing
Education courses, college
credit optional

August 12-19, 1984
Post-convention tour
London-The Black Connection,
Art and Soul

History
NANBPW was founded in the
spring of 1935 when the late Mrs.
Ollie Chinn Porter, then President of the New
York Club, invited the Philadelphia and Atlantic
City Business and Professional Women's Clubs to
establish a national organization.
When Mrs. Porter was elected the first
national President in 1936, black people were
politely called Negroes. Very few had businesses
or professions. most were still struggling
through the economic deprivations of the
Depression. That these black women had the
courage to found such an optimistic organization
is astounding and is lasting testimony to
their faith in themselves, their people, and their
future.
The founders were owners, managers, college
graduates, and other professionally licensed
women who had managed to realize some measure
of personal success at a time when there
was no national "movement" to improve the lot
of black Americans; when there was no "black
capitalism" program nor any black studies curricula.
Still, they were ready to lead.

Today
NANBPW members include thousands
of busy, working women in
300 clubs in the United States, Bermuda, and Africa.
These women recognize the importance of
sharing accomplishments with others and working
together-
∙To improve the quality of life in their
communities;
∙To create an atmosphere in with black
women are able to bring about meaningful
changes in their public and private lives;
∙To offer positive role models to the young
women in their communities;
∙To share their skills and knowledge with others;
∙To explore alternative ways for women to
meet the multiple challenges of today's
world.

FOUNDING OF ORGANIZATION
In the spring of 1935, while the late, Mrs. Ollie 
C. Porter was President of the New York Club,
invitations were extended to the business and professional
women's clubs of Philadelphia and
Atlantic City to establish a National Organization.
The organizational conference was held at
Y.W.C.A. in New York City, July 12, 13, 1935.
Mrs, Porter was elected president, Mrs. Pearl
Flipping of Atlantic City, secretary-treasurer and
Mrs. Effie Diton of New York City, national
organizer. State organizers were also elected, Mrs.
Emma Goodwin of Atlantic City for New Jersey
and Mrs. Josephine Keene for Pennsylvania. The
first national convention was held in Atlantic City
in 1936.

MEMBERSHIP
There are members in more then 300 clubs in
the 50 states, District of Columbia and Bermuda.
There are honorary members in Africa, France,
England and the Virgin Islands. The total membership
is upward of five thousand.

387

[[image top-left]]
Seated (L. to R.) Gillette, Lacey, Shelley, McLaughlin,
Leader in Advertising, Past National President, National
Council of Women, U.S.A. Standing (L. to R.)George,
Sherman-Peter, Council General, Commonwealth of the
Bahamas, Lewis.

[[image middle-right]]
President Gillette presents
Vice President's
"Yellow Rose" Award