Alabama's Colored Women's Club facts for kids
The Alabama Federation of Colored Women's Clubs was a group of clubs formed by African American women in Alabama. These clubs, like the "Ten Times One is Ten Club" and the Tuskegee Women's Club, worked together to improve their communities. They officially united in 1899 to form the Alabama Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. By 1904, there were over 26 such clubs across Alabama. Many active clubs were in cities like Birmingham, Selma, and Tuskegee.
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Early Clubs for African American Women
The very first African American women's club in Alabama was the "Ten Times One is Ten Club." It started in Montgomery, Alabama in 1888. Laura Coleman founded this club. She wanted it to help members and the community grow and improve.
Later, the Anna M. Duncan Club of Montgomery was formed in 1897. Anna M. Duncan helped pay for this club, which focused on education and community service. It was also known as the Twentieth Century Club for a time. This club continued its work for many years.
The Tuskegee Women's Club
The Tuskegee Women's Club was started by Margaret Murray Washington. She was a leader at the Tuskegee Institute. This club was made up of female teachers and the wives of male teachers from the Institute.
In 1895, thirteen women attended the first meeting. The club aimed to help members learn and grow in their knowledge and character. They met twice a month, and new teachers were encouraged to join. Because the members were involved in education, their projects often related to learning.
The Tuskegee Women's Club also helped create new communities and social services. For example, they provided education and support to people living in a poor plantation area.
Tuskegee Mothers' Club
One very successful project of the Tuskegee Women's Club was the Mothers' Club. The idea came to Margaret Washington in 1892. She noticed that women's needs were often overlooked.
She believed many women did not realize their own importance. So, she started the Mothers' Club to work with mothers in Tuskegee and nearby areas. The club helped mothers improve their education and childcare skills. They also helped women learn to be more independent.
Alabama Federation of Colored Women's Clubs
Margaret Murray Washington was the main organizer and first president of the Alabama Federation of Colored Women's Clubs (AFCWC). This important group was officially formed on December 29, 1899. Cornelia Bowen was another early leader.
At their first meeting, they discussed important issues. One big need was to create a special school for African American young people who had gotten into trouble. The club worked hard on prison reform.
The Federation successfully helped young Black prisoners. They got them released into the care of a boys' school they built at Mt. Meigs. This helped save young lives from prison. Margaret Washington oversaw this important work.
The state did not support this school as much as it did schools for white boys. However, the club members also helped older prisoners with personal care and religious services. Later, Alabama took over the boys' school. The AFCWC then raised money to build housing for young girls at Mt. Meigs. The national office of the NACW (National Association of Colored Women) eventually joined this program.
