Philadelphia Branch
History
The Philadelphia Branch was organized on October 30, 1954 by Mrs. Willie L. Churchill, who was the Northeast Sectional Director at that time, from New York City. The chartering ceremony took place at the home of Mrs. Gail Beagle who resided on Kingsessing Avenue in Philadelphia.
Two preliminary meetings had been held by the group. They had been called together by Mrs. Esther Waters. These first two meetings were held at the home of Mrs. Carolyn Hutchins under the guidance of Mrs. Ellen Maury Hairston of the Plainfield Branch.
The original seventeen members were: Gail Beagle, Edith Cassell, Ethel Chapman Clark, Elizabeth White Moore, Virginia Clark, Constance Clinton, Carolyn Hutchins, Norma Hutchins, Eva Lancaster, Florence Meade, Mildred Payne Moore, Eula Mae Nix, Vera Powell, Esther Waters, Edna Wells, Katherine Wilson, and Evelyn Wimberly.
We are very proud that three of NAUW’s National Presidents have hailed from the Philadelphia Branch:
Rhebena T. Castleberry; served as National President from 1982 to 1986
Phyllis J. Eggleston; served as National President from 1994 to 1998
Dolores Y. Owens; served as National President from 2010 to 2014
The Philadelphia Branch has supported scholarship from the day of our original chartering. The Branch has distributed several hundred thousand dollars to academically talented high school graduates who are in need of financial aid. The Annual Rhebena T. Castleberry Scholarship Luncheon (named after one of our Past National Presidents) celebrates our scholars while raising money to continue this much needed financial support.
The Philadelphia Branch continues to work closely with sectional and national bodies to support the goals and precepts of the organization by furthering educational opportunities and providing service to the community. Over the years we have partnered with other local organizations to help youth and adults in our community. Some of the most recent collaborations have occurred with BEBASHI, St. John’s Hospice for Men, African American Children’s Book Project (founded by Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati), Mastery Charter School Clymer Elementary Campus and Hardy Williams Campus.