Association of Deans of Women and Advisers to Girls in Negro Schools facts for kids
The Association of Deans of Women and Advisers to Girls in Negro Schools (NAWDACS) was a special group that worked to support black women in colleges and universities across the United States. It was started by Lucy Diggs Slowe in 1929. The group was active for 25 years, until 1954. Then, it joined with another group called the National Association of Personnel Deans and Advisers of Men in Negro Institutions.
History
In March 1929, Lucy Diggs Slowe held a meeting at Howard University. She was the founder of the National Association of College Women (NACW). This meeting brought together deans and advisers for girls in black schools. From this meeting, the Association of Deans of Women and Advisers to Girls in Negro Schools was formed.
The group identified five main problems they wanted to fix:
- Black women did not have enough important leadership jobs at colleges.
- There was a need for good, well-paid leaders and mentors for girls.
- Female college students needed safe and proper places to live.
- Female students needed fun and helpful after-school activities.
- High school girls living on college campuses needed their own separate places to live and special care.
The Association held yearly meetings at different black college campuses. Lucy Diggs Slowe was the president from 1929 to 1937. Other presidents served for shorter times after her. These included Georgia Myrtle Teale of Wilberforce University (1937-38) and Hilda A. Davis of Talladega College (1938-39). Ina A. Bolton (1940-42) and Flemmie P. Kittrell (1942-44) also led the group. Mayme U. Foster (1944-46), T. Ruth Brett (1946-48), and Emma C. W. Gray (1948-50) followed. Virginia S. Nyabongo (1950-52) and Louise Latham (1952-54) were the last presidents.
Starting in 1946, the Association held joint meetings. They met with the National Association of Personnel Deans and Advisers of Men in Negro Institutions. In 1954, both groups decided to join together. They formed a new organization called the National Association of Personnel Workers (NAPW).
