Women’s History Month Key White Woman who cofounded the NAACP with W. E. B. Dubois

On February 12, 1909, the largest diverse Civil Rights Organization was founded by a White woman, Mary White Ovington as the key co-founder. Other White women, Florence Kelley, Jane Addams, Helen ‘Fanny’ Garrison Villard, Sophonisba Breckinridge and Lillian D. Wald became founding members also. Black cofounders were W. E. B. Dubois, Ida B.Wells, Mary Church Terrell and Archibald Grimke who joined with these White women to make it a diverse organization. It became known as and remains The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  It was founded on President Abraham Lincoln’s 100^th birthday due to the fact that he freed many slaves by signing the final Emancipation Proclamation January 1, 1963. This proclamation declared that all enslaved persons in Confederate states still in rebellionagainst the Union “are and henceforward shall be free”.

Mary White Ovington was a social worker who became a socialist and suffragist. She became outraged by the racial violence that happened in Springfield, IL, August14-16, 1908 which was sparks when a white woman falsely accused a Black man of sexual assault. A white mob of approximately 5,000 and others European immigrants attacked the Black community, lynched one or two Black men, destroyed Blacks homes and businesses. The NAACP is known for starting because of the numerous lynching of Black men in the United States in the early 1900s.  However, there were several other focuses from 1920 to 1950; voter participation, employment, due process under the law and education. Mary was a social worker, journalist and activist. She became the executive secretary, board member and chairperson for 4 decades. She established NAACP branches across the United States. She challenged white supremacy. She also fought for Black women to become members in women’s rights movement. It was Sojourner Truth, a former slave, who walked into a Women’s Right Convention and made her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech.

The White women below joined with Mary White Ovington who was key among 60 racially diverse individuals who signed the original call for the NAACP in 1909:

• Florence Kelley was a social reformer and former factory inspector.

• Jane Addams was the founder of the Hull House in Chicago, IL.

• Helen Frances ‘Fanny’ Garrison Villard was a suffragist and daughter of abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. She was the mother of Oswald Garrison Villard who was also a founding member of the NAACP. She founded the Women’s Peace Society. She protested against World War One.

• Sophonisbe Breckinridge was a social reformer and educator. Despite her southern and Confederate background, she became a founding member of the NAACP and opposed racist belief. She focused on civil rights and social justice.

• Lillian Wald was a nurse and founder of the Henry Street Settlement in New York City

It is important to know that W. E. B. Dubois was the organizer of the Niagara Movement which started in 1905 with other Black activists. They were against segregation and disenfranchisement. This group was also disturbed by the numerous lynching of Black men. He and Mary White Ovington found it more beneficial to merge since they had the same focus. W. E. B. Dubois was a brilliant Black man who was the first Black to graduate with a PHD from Harvard University.

This article is focused on how a diverse group of races worked together to accomplish social justice and racial equality in the United States and around the world. If there are others out there who want to join or support this diverse group, please contact www.naacp.org. or the local President Dean Miller of the Winston County Branch NAACP. williedean1953@att.net