Association of Black Women Historians facts for kids
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| Formation | October 1979 |
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| Founders | Rosalyn Terborg-Penn Eleanor Smith |
| Type | Professional association |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C., United States |
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Official language
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English |
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National Director
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Erica Armstrong Dunbar |
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National Vice Director
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Shennette Garrett-Scott |
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Secretary
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Jessica Klanderud |
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Treasurer
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Le'Trice Donaldson |
The Association of Black Women Historians (ABWH) is a group of professional historians who focus on the history of Black women. It's a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. This important group was first thought of in 1977 and officially started in 1979.
Contents
The Story of ABWH
The idea for the Association of Black Women Historians came from three amazing Black women historians in 1977. Their names were Elizabeth Parker, Eleanor Smith, and Rosalyn Terborg-Penn. They wanted to create a special group for Black women who study history.
Why ABWH Was Formed
The organization's main goals are to:
- Help Black women historians connect with each other.
- Support Black women in the history profession.
- Share information about job openings and opportunities in the field.
- Suggest new topics and places to find information for historical research.
How ABWH Started
Before the group officially launched in New York in late 1979, meetings were held in different cities. These included Cincinnati, places in California, and Massachusetts. During these meetings, the women planned how the organization would work.
A special committee was chosen to pick the group's name. They also created a newsletter called Truth. This name honored Sojourner Truth, a famous Black woman who fought against slavery. The first leaders of the group included Darlene Clark Hine and Rosalyn Terborg-Penn.
Important Events and Publications
The ABWH has held many research conferences and annual luncheons. These events help historians share their work and connect with others. Their first research conference was in 1983 at Howard University. It was called "Women in the African Diaspora: An Interdisciplinary Perspective."
The first luncheon was in 1981. It helped raise money for the group and featured important speakers like Nell Irvin Painter. In 1992, Bill Clinton, who was running for president at the time, even gave a short speech.
The Association of Black Women Historians still holds its annual luncheon today. They have also published two important books. These books are In Spite of the Double Drawbacks: African American Women in History and Culture and The Truth Worth of Race: African American Women and the Struggle for Freedom. The current national director is Erica Armstrong Dunbar.
In 2012, the ABWH made a public statement about the movie The Help. They said the film did not show the true experiences of Black domestic workers. They felt the movie "distorts, ignores, and trivializes" their stories.
Who Leads ABWH Today
The Association of Black Women Historians has a team of leaders who help the organization run smoothly. These leaders include a Parliamentarian, a Membership Director, and a Social Media Director. There are also regional directors for different parts of the country. These leaders work together to support Black women historians and promote their work.
Awards and Recognition
The Association of Black Women Historians gives out awards to honor important work. These awards recognize people who are making a difference in the community through history. They often celebrate newer historians, not just those who are already famous.
One special award is the Letitia Woods Brown Memorial Publication Award. There are also several "Awards for Academics in the History Field." Some of these awards include:
- Lillian Hornsby Memorial Award
- Drusilla Dunjee Houston Award
- Rosalyn Terborg-Penn Junior Faculty Award
- Lorraine Anderson Williams Leadership Award
