Boston Coalition of Black Women, Inc. records

The Boston Coalition of Black Women, Inc. was founded as the Boston Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women to provide African American women in Boston with a social and political forum. Founding members included: Vivian Beard, Joan Wallace Benjamin, Carol Nicholson Bolling, Patricia Bush, Callie Crossley, Alice Delgardo, Barbara Edelin, Carolyn Golden Hebsgaard, Karen Holmes Ward, Deborah Jackson, Vickie Jones, Dani Monroe, Deborah Murphy, Carolyn Sawyer, Dianne Young, and Dianne Wilkerson. The Boston Chapter was formally chartered in 1991 and was the largest founding chapter in the history of the National Coalition. The Boston Chapter separated from the national organization and incorporated as the Boston Coalition in 1996. The organization sought to provide leadership and access to resources to allow members to become involved in the community through education, social, economic, and civil action. Work sponsored by the organization has included mentoring opportunities, primarily the Sister-to-Sister program, and fundraising and cultural events. In 2000 in addition to its original programs and activities, the Coalition adopted a specific public policy agenda that focused on education and legislation that involves women and children. In collaboration with groups such as the Massachusetts Advocacy Center and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Coalition monitored the development of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. Other activity in the community involved Coalition members mentoring girls in detention units, hosting author talks, and partnering with other community service organizations including Project Bread and Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries.