The Arkansas Association of Women's Clubs was organized in 1905 after several clubs joined the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs in recognizing that in unity there is strength. The first clubs were organized in Little Rock and Fort Smith in 1898. Mrs. Mame Josenberger of Forth Smith met and became friends with Mrs. Booker T. Washington while attending Fisk University. Mrs. Washington visited Mrs. Josenberger in Fort Smith and became aware of the tremendous work the Fort Smith group known as the Relief Corps, was doing to help in a relief effort after a cyclone struck the city causing extreme devastation and encouraged them to join the National movement.
In 1901 the Little Rock and Fort Smith clubs became the first clubs to affiliate with the national organization. They became the Little Rock Branch of the NACWC and Phyllis Wheatley Club of Fort Smith. As other clubs in the state were formed they too joined the national organization. By 1905 as the member of clubs across the state had increased, the leaders, Mrs. Mary H Speight, Mrs. Mame Joenberger, Mrs. Anna T. Strickland and other sent out a call for all women's clubs to come together to consider forming a state association. The necessary action was taken and the Arkansas Association of Women's Clubs was formed and was granted affiliation with the National Association of Women's Clubs the same year. The first convention was held in 1908 in Hot Springs, Arkansas and Mrs. Mary H Speight was elected president.
The women who pioneered the Arkansas and National Associations were engaged in missionary and charitable work, sewing, circles, reading clubs, literary societies, mothers' meetings and community service organizations. They were in careers as education, medical field, and worked in other community endeavors. There cause was to improve health care for the sick, elderly, and less fortunate in their neighborhoods. The clubs were organized for the mutual benefit of its members and for group and family improvement. The objectives have not changed. Programs and services strategies have kept up with the challenges of the social, political, and economic needs of local, state and national conditions.
The main objective of the AAWC, Inc. during the first two decades was the establishment of a home for boys and girls who were sent to prison built for adult offenders. After many years and many visits to the offices of State officials this objective was met. A training school for boys was stablished in 1928-29. It took 20 years more to get the girls facility established and funded by the state. Since then, Arkansas club women turned their attention to education, scholarships, leadership training, and cultural enrichment for girls, boys, and young adults. AAWC sponsored music, dance, arts, and crafts and literary activities with great success at the region and national level. A large number of youth have been winners at all three levels and were elected officers of the Region and National Youth Associations. One of these students, Andrea Brooks-Smith of Madison, Arkansas, was president of NACWC Girls Association and held the position of third Vice President of the adult National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, Inc. and chairperson of the NACWC Young Adults Committee. In July 2006, Xavier Billingsley of Blytheville, Arkansas was elected president of the NACWC Boys Association in Detroit, Michigan. He also won the national oratorical contest.
Arkansas has 14 adult clubs, 6 youth clubs, and in its 110 year history has had 27 presidents. The Arkansas Association of Women's Clubs, Inc. has a proud history and the women of vision who started this movement more than 100 years, left us a legacy of strenth, courage, leadership, and achievement.
AAYC History Report of Historian I have tried to compile a history of the boys’ club in Arkansas. There are many gaps and if anyone has additional information or corrections, we would appreciate it. The boys club in Arkansas was organized under the administration of Mrs. Otelia Champion, National President and Mrs. Alena E. Wiley, State President of Arkansas. Five advisors were named in the draft for the National organization – Rev. E. C. Walters, Mr. Douglas Stewart, Mr. William Stallings, Mr. Rodney Slater, and Mr. Hosea Johnson. The first state President that we could find listed was Brian Warren 1986 – 1987 from Forrest City Arkansas, but we know the club was organized between 1979 and 1983. Bertha Owens of Forrest City was State Supervisor of the boys. The boys and girls had separate sessions for many years. Rodney Slater was a consultant. Other boys’ presidents have been Jonathan Gibson - 1988, Ronnie Brown - 1991 Forrest City Frederick Phillips - 1992 Helena Bryant King - 1993 Blytheville Nokey Tillman - 1995 and 1996 Blytheville Chris Bryant - 1997 Pine Bluff Alvin Walker - 1998 Pine Bluff Barrett Petty - 1999 Helena Aaron Walker - 2001 Helena Xavier Billingsley – Blytheville and Nicholas Hubert - Helena 2005 Xavier Billingsley - 2006 Blytheville Xavier Billingsley – 2007 Blytheville Andre Newell - 2008 Avery Winston – 2009 Forrest City Karlton Lawrence – 2010 Forrest City Karlton Lawrence –2012 Forrest City Cedric Coleman – 2013 Forrest City – Semper Fidelis Sherrod Pope-2014 Blytheville-Junior Achievers Boys Club Azavion Jackson – 2015 Forrest City – Semper Fidelis Darrius Nichols – 2016 Blytheville – Junior Achievers Boys Club Jaysen Smith -2017-2019 Forrest City – Semper Fidelis
The first list of all the Boys Officers in the State Program was in 1991. Outstanding Quartets have been a part of our organization from the Junior Achievers Boys that sang at the National Centennial in Washington D.C. to the Eureka Boys from Forrest City that performed with standing ovations. Included is a list of the oratorical winners from Arkansas. Many also won the Region and the National. We have had three National Presidents – Xavier Billingsley, Frederick Phillips and Barrett Petty The year of 2010 was a great year for the Arkansas Association of Boys at the national meeting in Denver, Colorado. Bryce Trible of Blytheville won 1st place in talent – ages 5 – 8 yrs. and was elected Historian of the National. Sherrod Pope of Blytheville won 1st place in talent – ages 9 – 12 yrs. The 2011 state meeting in Little Rock was great. Miss Arkansas – came and spoke and gave us autographed pictures. One again I ask for information. I recommend that the history be included and updated in every state program. Attached are copies from state programs with list of officers. Bryce Trible 2010 In 2011, the state meeting was held in Little Rock Arkansas. Karlton Lawrence of Forrest City Arkansas was President. Cedric Colman was crowned Mr. AABC. The Member of the Arkansas Association of Youth Clubs traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to the National Southwest Regional Meeting in July of 2011. Ms. Andrea Brooks was Regional Supervisor. Bryce Trible (Talent 9-12 years), Sherrod Pope (Talent 13-18 years) and Darrius Nichols (PowerPoint) and Carzlon Ford (Talent 5-8 years) all member of the Junior Achievers Boys Club of Blytheville, Arkansas represented and won. In 2012 the AAWC offered a $250.00 oratorical award. Sherrod Pope was the first boy in the state to win this award. Karlton Lawrence was President; he was a role model because he was kind to everyone. The tour to the Mosaic Templar’s building was educational and fun. The National Meeting was in Des Moines, Iowa, seven boys from the state of Arkansas attended. All of the boys listed above won 1st place at the National. Darrius Nichols and Carzlon Ford also won 1st place in the Fredrick Douglas Essay competition. A leadership institute was started and named in honor of Dr. Frederick Phillip, former president of the AABC and NABC. I look forward to attending the state meeting in June 2013 in Little Rock. Please send any information you would like added to this history. Joshua Ross 2013
The 2014 year was an exciting year. The state meeting was held at the Holiday Inn in Fort Smith, Arkansas. We learned a lot about the history of the United States Marshalls. We learned about Bass Reeves a famous Afro-American U. S. Marshall. We had a walking tour of the court room of the “Hanging” Judge Parker and the museum. It was a great meeting. I was also able to attend the National Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. The meeting was held in the Union Station Hotel. We went on a tour of a museum that had many famous Afro-Americans in Missouri. There was a wax figure of the first Afro-American fire chief in St. Louis and he was there. Kennedy Pirtle from Arkansas won 1st place in the Parade of States. Kennedy and Drew Pirtle did a violin salute to Nelson Mandela. Sherrod Pope won the National Oratorical Competition. Joshua Ross won in talent boys 9-12 year, Jaysen Smith won oratorical boys 9- 12 and I won oratorical boys 5-8 years. Demetrius Goings 2015
The years of 2016-2017 were exciting years for the AAYC. In 2016, we attended the National meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. Azavion Jackson of the Semper Fedilis Club of Forrest City was boys’ president. The Dr. Frederick Phillips Workshop was presented with a tribute from Lena Abraham Ross, former club girl and sponsor. Azavion Jackson won the Oratorical Competition and Raiji Frierson from the Nancy E. Proffit of Helena won the Frederic Douglas Competition. Aaliyah Bell of the O. C. Shivers Club, Blytheville was elected president of the National Girls Club and Darrius Nichols of Junior Achievers Boy, Blytheville was elected 1st Vice President. Miss Charlene Warren, Arkansas Supervisor Emeritus received the 1st Legacy Award for her service the NAYC We attended the Southwest Region of the NACAWC in Oklahoma City. Ms. Andrea Brooks-Smith served as Youth Regional Supervisor. Darrius Nichols was president of the boys. Dominique Moody of the O. C. Shivers Girls, Blytheville won 1st place in the Oratorical competition and Darrius Nichols won 2nd place in Boys Oratorical Competition. Demetrius Goings and Andrew Bowens won 1st place in the Frederick Douglass Essay Competition. Other winners that will be representing Arkansas at the National meeting are Ariel Ross, Drew Pirtle, Aaliyah Bell, LaKenza Randle, Joshua Ross and Carlzon Ford.
In 2018, we attended the National meeting in Providence, RI. Arkansas had 12 youth to attend. Aaliyah Bell served as President. Darrius Nichols – Vice President and Dominique Moody – Secretary. Darrius Nichols and Dominique Moody won 1st place in the John H. Johnson Oratorical Competition. The O. C. Shivers and Junior Achievers Boys Club presented a play about the life of Frederick Douglass. This year was saddened by the lost of Miss Charlene Warren. She was a club girl, sponsor, state supervisor of youth (for almost 40 years) and regional supervisor. Miss Warren will be remembered because of her personality, dedication and love of this organization.
Clubs Presidents of the Arkansas Association of Girls
1960 Edith Smith Fort Smith Evelyn Phipps Pine Bluff