SEATTLE SECTION

​​National Council of Negro Women ​

NCNW SEATTLE SECTION HIGHLIGHTS

On March 5, 1967, in accordance with authority granted by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., a meeting was sanctioned and the Seattle Section of NCNW, Inc. was organized.

The following officers were elected to lead the first Section in Washington State:
 

  • President ~ Miss Virgie Green
  • Vice-President ~ Miss Beverly Freeman
  • Corresponding Secretary ~ Mrs. Annie M. Hall
  • Recording Secretary ~ Mrs. Kirk Twine
  • Treasurer ~ Miss Evelyn Freema


The “Committee of Organization” then met with Miss Dorothy I. Height, National President, who came to Seattle on April 2, 1967, to finalize the establishment of the Seattle Section. Documentation from the National archives listed the following names as attendees of this historic meeting:

Authority is hereby granted to the persons named below as a Committee on Organization

COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATION
Mrs. Marjorie King, Mrs. Elizabeth Wells, Mrs. Zelma Derrick, Mrs. Annie M. Hall, Miss Virgie Green, Miss Beverly Freeman, Miss Evelyn Freeman, Mrs. Kirk Twine, Representatives of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Mrs. Lillian Gideon, and their Membership Roll. The National President was present at the first discussion on organizing.

Once confirmation of a 50-member roster was received, the official Charter was signed by President Height on April 13, 1967.

PAST PRESIDENTS
Dr. Virgie Harris-Haley, Seattle Section Charter President ~ 1967 - 1968
*Ms. Beverly Freeman, Charter member ~ 1969 - 1971
*Mrs. Easter Pugh ~ 1971 - 1972
*Mrs. Emma Smith ~ 1972 - 1973
*Mrs. Annie Mary Hall, Charter member ~ 1974 - 1978
Rev. Dr. Laverne C. Hall ~ 1978 - 1982; 1994 - 1998 and 2010 - 2016
*Ms. Marie Brooks ~ 1982 - 1986
*Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas ~ 1986 - 1990
*Rev. Mary Helen Moore ~ 1990 - 1992
*Mrs. L. Marie Barnes ~ 1992 - 1994
Mrs. Margaret Briscoe ~ 1998 - 2002
*Mrs. Sharon Smith ~ 2002 – 2006
Mrs. Mary Cunningham Hopkins ~ 2006 - 2010
Ms. Sarah JE Dean ~ 2016 – 2022
Mrs. Brenda Charles-Edwards – 2022 – 2023
Mrs. Meko L. Lawson – 2023 - Present

*Deceased

SCHOLARSHIPS
In 2002, we established the Bethune Legacy Award Committee. Applicants had to have completed at least one year of post-secondary study as we found that that was a time when there was a greater need for financial help. When one of our co-founders and charter life member passed in 2006, The Seattle Section changed the name from the Bethune Legacy to the Lillian M. Gideon Legacy Award in her honor.

From certification programs to advanced degrees in diverse fields of study, this award helps women to achieve their educational and professional goals. We have been able to award over $40,000.00 through fundraising endeavors and generous contributions from businesses and supportive individuals.

NCNW PUBLISHED BOOKS
National - Family Reunion Cookbook
Seattle Section – Eating Downtown Uptown Cookbook
Time in Her Hands - 2012 Honoring 45 community women
Style & Substance - 2015 Honoring 12 community women