African Dorcas Association facts for kids

The African Dorcas Association was a group of Black women who started a community aid society in New York City in January 1828. These women sewed clothes for Black children in New York. Their goal was to make sure children had proper clothes for school. This group was special because it was one of the first where women met and worked independently, without men supervising them.

The members of the African Dorcas Association wanted to help more Black young people get an education. In just one year, they gave out 168 pieces of clothing to students. They became very important in helping young Black children attend schools. Even though some people in New York didn't think it was right for Black women to be educated or involved in community issues, the African Dorcas Association succeeded. The society continued its work into the 1830s.

How the African Dorcas Association Started

After slavery ended in New York, the number of Black people in the city grew a lot. Because of this, leaders, both Black and white, saw a greater need to educate these children. The women of the African Dorcas Association were supported by a group of seven Black ministers.

This organization held meetings every Wednesday. They also elected officers to lead their group. These meetings were among the first where Black women met without men overseeing them. They often met at the home of their president, Margaret Francis. The clothes they made were given to the schoolmates, neighbors, and friends of the members' children.

The Association showed a new way for Black women to be involved in helping their community. Their work focused on young people, showing a caring and supportive kind of activism. This effort fit well with an "African Ethic," where people used their different skills together for one important cause. That cause was to help Black youth get an education.

It was clear that many Black young people were not going to school because they didn't have suitable clothes or shoes. Especially in winter, their clothing was old and worn. Some children had to walk long distances to school. The African Dorcas Association saw this problem and decided to make a difference. They were very successful. This group didn't just rely on money from outside. They used their own skills and found smart ways to get things done.

Even though the public questioned their work in September 1828, the women kept going. By February 1829, they had given out 168 items of clothing. They had also clothed 64 boys and girls.

What the African Dorcas Association Wanted to Achieve

The work of the African Dorcas Association was connected to their religious beliefs. They believed in serving others and helping those in need. The main goal of the African Dorcas Association was to "provide clothing and other necessary items for poor students who could not afford to do so."

The actions of the African Dorcas Association also showed their "cultural practices." In their culture, men and women did different tasks, but everyone's help was seen as vital. The women of this association achieved their goal by giving children the clothes they needed. This allowed the children to attend school and get an education. These women successfully gave clothes to 64 children.

Important People in the Association

Samuel Cornish was an abolitionist (someone who worked to end slavery) and a minister. He helped lead the African Dorcas Association. When the association first started, it was formed by women. However, society at that time didn't always accept women leading groups alone. So, Cornish and a few other men joined the association's first board.

Margaret Francis played a big role in the African Dorcas Association. Margaret offered her home as the meeting place for these women. As the group became more known in the community, the women members started taking on more leadership. Because of this, Margaret Francis was eventually chosen as the association's president.

Henrietta Green Regulus Ray was a very active abolitionist. She was involved in other groups working to end slavery and fight for rights. Ray also served as the African Dorcas Association's secretary.

See Also

• Dorcas Society