Document 18: "The National Colored Woman's Congress," Woman's Era, 2 (January 1896), pp. 3-4.

Introduction

       African-American women did not embrace the campaign to raise the age of consent, because they feared that stricter criminal laws would lead to further targeting of African-American men and do little to protect young black women in the south from sexual exploitation by white men.[14] The following document, an excerpt from a longer report on The National Colored Woman's Congress printed in the Woman's Era, illustrates African-American women's support for social purity issues in general. However, a resolution earlier in the report that had pledged support for the work of the WCTU had also hinted at the reason underlying the women's lack of support for the age-of-consent campaign. (For more on women's activism to stop lynching, see "How Did Black and White Southern Women Campaign to End Lynching, 1890-1942?" also on this website.)

       Resolved, That as the National W.C.T.U. offers so many opportunities through which the women of our race may be enlightened and encouraged in their work for humanity, therefore be it further resolved that we, as Afro-American women, accept these opportunities by entering this open door, and heartily endorse the work taken up by the W.C.T.U., but insist that their attitude in regard to the lynching evil and color-prejudice question generally be less equivocal.

*     *     *

       Mrs. Matthews offered an amendment, and the resolution was adopted. The amendment was as follows:

       Resolved, That this Congress recommend to the various organizations here represented, local, state and national, the wisdom of uniting for the establishment of one national organization of women.

       WHEREAS, we as a race have never been taught to feel and appreciate the value of good homes and

       WHEREAS, to this day there are to be seen in many of our country communities the one room log cabin where many live together in an unwholesome atmosphere which is detrimental both morally and physically to the best growth and development of the masses,

       Resolved, That as a body of women we do urge upon the teachers and leaders of our race the necessity and importance of mother's meetings, social purity talks and such other agencies as shall most forcibly impress upon the mothers of our race the evil influences generated by the admission of frivolous or obscene books or pictures into their homes.

       WHEREAS, the colored women of this country stand very greatly in need of all the aid and assistance that the more fortunate and intelligent members of the race can offer them, and

       WHEREAS, the elevation of the motherhood and womanhood of the race is the most effectual and powerful means for raising the mental and moral standard of the masses of our people, therefore be it

       Resolved, That we hereby pledge ourselves individually and collectively to use every effort in our power,

       1. To establish homes among our people the influence of which will tend to the development of men and women of strong character and purity of purpose in life.

       2. To demand of our leaders and teachers the highest standard of character, refinement and culture.

       3. That we require the same standard of morality for men as for women, and that the mothers teach their sons social purity as well as their daughters.

       4. We condem the universal prodigality of the race and urge upon our people, having the best interests of the race at heart, to give permanence to our present progressiveness by practising strict economy in their homes and business relations, and to count no effort insignificant which is made in the interest or with a view toward the purchase of a home.

       Resolved, That it is the duty of the colored women of the country to take a more practical interest in the condition and treatment of the unfortunate members of our race and in making proper provision for the establishment of reformatories and institutions for the orphans, the aged, and the infirm, not excepting those institutions that have steadily adhered to the broadest of philanthropic principles, and thrown wide their doors to suffering humanity regardless of color, past condition or creed.

       Realizing the gravity of our social and economic condition, and the wide influences of our teachers in assisting in the formation of the character of our children,

       Resolved, That we urge upon those in authority to exercise the greatest diligence in selecting trained, competent teachers, who are imbued with the love and true spirit of their work. Further we urge upon parents the necessity of co-operating with the teachers in all matters that pertain to the successful development of those intrusted to their care.

       Resolved, That in order to secure healthful bodies in which to contain healthful minds and souls we do heartily encourage all teachers, parents and guardians to make physical culture a prominent feature in their training of our youth.

       WHEREAS, since every race must possess intelligence, energy, industry and enterprise in order that it may rank among the great and powerful races of the world, and,

       WHEREAS, we feel that the life and prosperity of the home depends largely upon its women who are entrusted with its making, therefore be it

       Resolved, That we endorse and encourage every phase of higher and industrial education and urge all persons to take such training as will elevate and make the noblest types of woman and man, and thus fit themselves for the actual responsibilities of life.

Previous Document	Document List	Next Document

| Documents | Teacher's Corner | Links | Search | About Us | Home |