Ada Belle Dement facts for kids

Ada Belle Dement (born 1888 – died 1945) was an important American teacher and leader. She worked hard to help her community. In 1941, she became the president of a big group called the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs (NACWC). This group helped African American women and their communities.

Early Life and Learning

Ada Belle Dement was born in 1888 in a town called Caldwell, in Texas. She loved to learn! She went to Prairie View College. She also studied at other big universities like the University of California, the University of Chicago, and the University of Colorado.

A Career Helping Others

After finishing her studies, Ada Belle Dement became a teacher. She taught at a high school in Fort Worth for seventeen years. Later, in Mineral Wells, she became the principal of a high school. With help from parents and the community, she even helped build a brand new school for the town!

Leading Women's Clubs

Ada Belle Dement was very active in many groups. She was a leader in the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs (NACWC). She worked on their Peace and Function Committee. She also helped guide young girls as a Senior State Supervisor.

From 1930 to 1934, she was the president of the Texas Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. As president, she started a scholarship fund to help students pay for college. She also worked to create a training school for young Black girls and a hospital for Black people with tuberculosis. She even worked with the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs.

In 1942, she received a special award called an Honorary Doctorate from Bishop College. That same year, she gave a speech called "Victory Through Youth" to a group of Black students in Texas.

National President

In 1941, Ada Belle Dement was chosen as the National President of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. She had a lot of support from the Texas group. Sadly, she passed away before her time as president was finished.

She was also a vice president for the National Council of Women of the United States. She helped lead the Texas part of the National Negro Congress (NNC). She was also active in the Women's Auxiliary to the National Baptist Convention.

Personal Life

Ada Belle Dement married a Baptist minister named Clifton DeMent. They lived in Mineral Wells, Texas. She passed away in 1945, at the age of 57, in a hospital in Fort Worth.