The Adult Educational Activities The Adult Educational Activities of the of the

National Association of National Association of ColoredColored

Women’s Clubs, IncorporatedWomen’s Clubs, Incorporatedin in

St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri

Presented by Arthelda M. BuschPresented by Arthelda M. Busch

July 10, 2007July 10, 2007

Purpose:Purpose: To illustrate how the National To illustrate how the National

Association of Colored Women’s Association of Colored Women’s Clubs has been involved in adult Clubs has been involved in adult

education for more than 111 education for more than 111 years.years.

Significance

National League of Colored Women

National Federation of Afro-American Women

2.) The National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Incorporated (NACWC).

1.) The study

James Jacks’ degrading James Jacks’ degrading remarksremarks

“the Negroes of this country are wholly “the Negroes of this country are wholly devoid of morality, the women are devoid of morality, the women are prostitutes, and are natural thieves and prostitutes, and are natural thieves and liars” liars”

(Valk as cited in Corbett, 1999, p. 164)(Valk as cited in Corbett, 1999, p. 164)

Founders and Members -The Educated Founders and Members -The Educated EliteElite

Lifting as We ClimbLifting as We Climb

Education of Women

The Jim Crow Era

Lynching in the United States

Woman’s Suffrage Movement

The Black Migration

Responded to Social Conditions

1896 - 2007

Research Question: What are the Research Question: What are the adult educational activities of adult educational activities of African American women through African American women through the work of the NACWC in St. the work of the NACWC in St. Louis, Mo?Louis, Mo?

a) What, if any, changes have there been in the focus of this a) What, if any, changes have there been in the focus of this organization over time and why?organization over time and why?

b) As original goals were met by the organization, b) As original goals were met by the organization, how if at all, was its focus changed to be responsive to the needs how if at all, was its focus changed to be responsive to the needs of the community? and of the community? and

c) What benefit, if any, did the efforts of the NACWC have on its c) What benefit, if any, did the efforts of the NACWC have on its members and the larger African American community?members and the larger African American community?

MethodologyMethodology

Interviewed six St. Louis club women Interviewed six St. Louis club women and one participant observer with and one participant observer with 25+yrs club experience.25+yrs club experience.

Triangulation of methods – dataTriangulation of methods – data

Applied Knowles’ (1980) Applied Knowles’ (1980) Six Aspects of Adult EducationSix Aspects of Adult Education- knowledge, understanding, skills, - knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes, interests, or values,attitudes, interests, or values,

Themes from InterviewsThemes from Interviews

6. Supporting youth

1. Black History – preserve and inform

2. Teaching and learning

3. Mentoring

4. Churches support the work of clubs

5. Collective efforts

LimitationsLimitations

Documents

Subjectivity - Interviews

Self -Reports

Coding Process – Knowles (1980)

ResultsResults

All of the 34 identified educational activities of the All of the 34 identified educational activities of the SLACWC were indeed Adult Education ActivitiesSLACWC were indeed Adult Education Activities

a) Multiple adult educational aspects.a) Multiple adult educational aspects.

b) Change has not occurred in the major focus of b) Change has not occurred in the major focus of the organization on Mother, Home and Child – the organization on Mother, Home and Child – but in type of activitiesbut in type of activities

c) Multiple benefits for all participants.c) Multiple benefits for all participants.

Links With Adult EducatorsLinks With Adult Educators

• WashingtonWashington• ToughTough• LindemanLindeman• FriereFriere• MezirowMezirow• HouleHoule• HenschkeHenschke• LockeLocke• Jesus ChristJesus Christ

NACWC and the SLACWC responded to needs in 8 Categories using Adult Educational Activities

1. Political Action Initiatives1. Political Action Initiatives2. Health Initiatives2. Health Initiatives3. Child Advocates3. Child Advocates4. Employment and Training 4. Employment and Training 5. Cultural Enrichment 5. Cultural Enrichment 6. Black History Preservation6. Black History Preservation7. Collaborations7. Collaborations8. International Influence8. International Influence

ConclusionConclusion

• 1. Synergy and collaboration1. Synergy and collaboration

• 2. Focus on mother, home and child2. Focus on mother, home and child

• 3. Focus on unmet welfare needs3. Focus on unmet welfare needs

• 4. Adult education for mature adults 4. Adult education for mature adults