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Vivian Carter Mason
Photo of Vivian Carter Mason.jpg
Born
Vivian Carter

(1890-02-10)February 10, 1890
Died May 10, 1982(1982-05-10) (aged 92)
Alma mater University of Chicago
Occupation Civil rights activist
Spouse(s) William T. Mason

Vivian Carter Mason (born Vivian Carter; February 10, 1890 – May 10, 1982) was a very important leader. She worked hard for equal rights for everyone, no matter their gender or race. She also believed that everyone should have a chance to go to school. From 1953 to 1957, she was the president of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).

Vivian Mason started groups like the Women's Council for Interracial Cooperation in places like Norfolk and Arlington, Virginia. She also created the Committee of 100 Women. This group helped kids in New York City go to summer camp for free.

Vivian Mason's Early Life

Vivian Carter Mason was one of eight children. Her father, George Carter, was a Methodist minister. Her mother, Florence William Carter, was a music teacher. Vivian was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Her mother taught her about women's rights from a young age. Her father taught her about strong values. Vivian said in 1978 that her family "did not have a large income," but they "were happy."

Her Education and Family

Vivian moved to Auburn, New York, when she was a child. She went to public schools there. In 1925, she went to college at the University of Chicago. She studied how money and society work, and how to help people. Later, she took classes at New York University and Fordham University.

At the University of Chicago, she met William T. Mason. He was from Trinidad, West Indies. William was a successful real estate agent. They got married in Brooklyn. They had a son named William T. Mason Jr. in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1931, Vivian moved with her son to New York City.

Vivian Mason's Career

Vivian Mason started her career at the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) in Brooklyn, New York. She was the program director there. After the YWCA, she became an administrator for the city's Department of Welfare. Vivian Mason was the first black woman to hold this important job. She also stayed on the national board of the YWCA.

She founded the National Committee of 100 Women. This group helped provide free summer camps for children who needed help.

Leading the National Council of Negro Women

On April 17, 1945, Vivian Mason started the Women's Council for Interracial Cooperation (WCIC). This group brought together women from all different races and backgrounds. In 1945, she was chosen to represent the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) at a big meeting in Paris, France. This meeting was for the International Women's Democratic Federation. She became a vice president for the American part of this group.

In the mid-1940s, Vivian moved to Norfolk, Virginia. She became the president of the Norfolk Council of Negro Women (NCNW). After four years, she was elected president of the national NCNW in 1953. She served in this role until 1957.

In 1968, Vivian Mason was the only black woman on Virginia's Democratic Central Committee. In 1971, she was the first black woman appointed to the board of the Norfolk city school district. The Virginia Press named her "Newsmaker of 1971." By 1978, she had started a local chapter of the National Urban League.

Vivian Mason's Legacy

Vivian Mason is remembered as a strong leader. She fought for women's rights, civil rights, and workers' rights in the 20th century. She made the NCNW stronger and more organized. This helped the group make a bigger difference.

Throughout her life, she served on many important boards in New York and Norfolk, Virginia. She was determined to make her community better. She wanted to bring people of all genders and races together. She made history by being the first black woman to lead more than one major organization.

Vivian Mason Carter passed away on May 10, 1982, in Norfolk, Virginia.

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