A Guide to the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. San Antonio Chapter Records, 1995-2004

Historical Note

The national organization began in 1970 when a small group of women met in New York City to address issues facing Black women in the wake of the civil rights and women's movements. Naming themselves the Coalition of 100 Black Women, they initiated programs addressing the crisis of the Black family, career advancement, and political and economic empowerment. Through these programs the women worked to develop their leadership skills and potential. On October 24, 1981, with well over 100 members, the Coalition expanded into a national organization named the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW). As a nonprofit, advocacy and volunteer organization of women, the Coalition continues its dedication to community service, leadership development, and the enhancement of career opportunities through networking and programming. The national organization holds a biennial conference, which San Antonio members attend.

In 1995, several prominent San Antonio women formed the San Antonio Founding Members Organizing Group to discuss interest in forming a local chapter of the NCBW. The San Antonio Chapter of NCBW was chartered April 13, 1996 at a ceremony held in the San Antonio City Council Chambers. The founding Chapter President was State Representative Ruth Jones McClendon. The goal of the San Antonio Chapter is to positively influence the lives of young African American females in San Antonio and to empower African American women in general, to reach their highest potential. The chapter draws on the strength of its membership to work toward solutions on issues of concern to the contemporary Black woman. New members are inducted and officers are installed during an annual combined induction ceremony and holiday celebration held in December. The local chapter is organized into six standing committees: Membership, Program, Community Involvement, Advocacy, Budget & Finance and Fundraising.

The San Antonio chapter provides community programs designed to enhance the lives of women of all ages. The Candace Awards Gala became the chapter's signature event in 1999 to recognize achievements of African American women and of men who have demonstrated unique support of African American women. The organization participates actively in promoting the Bosom Buddies program to alleviate breast cancer. The membership also participates in the Women Working in Neighborhood Schools Program (WINS) working with children at Booker T. Washington Elementary and Wheatley Middle School in East San Antonio by furnishing basic supplies and mentors to facilitate learning. WINS is a collaborative effort of NCBW and San Antonio Fighting Back of the United Way. In addition to WINS, the Coalition runs the MentorNet Program, a leadership program that mentors young girls at Wheatley Middle School through their adulthood to help them plan, prepare for and meet their career goals. Coalition members also hold Children's Community Health Fairs twice a year to promote a proactive approach to good health within the African American community. As part of its advocacy efforts, the local chapter has assisted in the voter registration drive, and strongly endorses the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIPS), providing affordable health insurance for children.

Sources:

• Historical Narrative, Box 1, Folder 4, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. San Antonio Chapter Records, 1995-2004, MS 108, Archives, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries.
• Historical Narrative, Box 2, Folder 7, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. San Antonio Chapter Records, 1995-2004, MS 108, Archives, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries.

Scope and Content Note

Bylaws, financial reports, historical narratives, meeting minutes, membership rosters, newsletters, event programs and photographs document the San Antonio Chapter's formation, administrative functions, membership, events and programs during its first five years of existence.

Administrative Records include brief historical narratives as well as details of the discussions and processes involved in establishing the chapter as documented in records of the Founding Members Organizing Group. This file contains meeting minutes of the organizing group led by State Representative Ruth McClendon Jones, and correspondence to prospective charter members. Minutes from both the Executive Board and the General Membership Meetings are the most detailed and comprehensive records in the collection, documenting discussions and resulting decisions involved in carrying out the organization's mission, activities and programs. The meeting minutes at times also include reports from committees. Membership rosters, induction ceremony photographs and Membership Committee records offer some insight into membership numbers, applicant criteria and member recruitment efforts. However, the strongest documentation of the membership itself is in the form of one-page biographies that include a photograph of each member. These biographies are listed under Photographs.

Individual files on the chapter's Events and Programs provide brief overviews through informational flyers, invitations and an occasional news article. It is helpful to consult meeting minutes and the chapter newsletters (under Administrative Records above) for additional details about an event or program.

National Information provides context for the San Antonio Chapter's structure and operating procedures by providing the national organization's newsletter, history and structure. Also included is limited information on the 8th Biennial national meeting in 1997, at which members voted on changes to the national organization's constitution and by laws, and elected new officers.

Photographs are arranged chronologically and include photographs of each member next to their one page biography. Also included are 8 x 10 color photographs of the new members at the 1998 induction ceremony, as well as 4 x 6 color photographs taken at special events such as Founders' Day.

The Addition includes administrative records such as board of directors and membership lists, correspondence, chapter bylaws, meeting minutes, newsletters, procedures, donations and financial statements.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

This collection is housed at UTSA's Main Campus and must be accessed via the John Peace Library Special Collections reading room. To request access, please use the Collections Request Form.

Usage Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the San Antonio Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Records must be obtained from University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections. However, UTSA does not hold copyright on the professional photographs and permission must be sought from the photographer.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. San Antonio Chapter Records, 1995-2004, MS 108, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.

Acquisition Information

Materials in this collection were donated by the San Antonio Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, 2001-2005 (Acc. 2001-022, 2002-006, 2002-082, 2005-041).

Processing Information

Processed by Toni Jeske, December 2001, and subsequently by University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections staff.

Additions encoded by Tatina Wulzer, Collections Assistant, May 2009.

Detailed Description of the Collection