National Association of University Women : NAUW

The National Association of University Women Founders Dr. Sara W. Brown, 1894 while a teacher of English at the Normal School in the District of Columbia took a leave of absence from Cornell University. Upon her return she taught science at the prestigious M Street School and enrolled at Howard University's medical department from which she later graduated. While advancing in her career as an educator, she took advanced courses, in pathology and physiology at Howard and maintained a part-time medical practice for twenty-five years. She was a pioneer in health education for women and girls; was a member of the "flying squadron" of fifty women physicians appointed by the Women's War Work Council; was appointed by the American Red Cross to do relief work in flooded areas of Mississippi and Louisiana in 1927. Dr. Brown was elected four times alumni trustee of Howard University. She was one of the medical officers appointed to accompany the Gold Star War Mothers to France in 1930. Dr. Brown was the fifth president of the College Alumnae Club. Dr. Nancy Fairfax Brown received her A.B. degree at Howard University and professional training at Howard University and Columbia University. She earned an A.M. and Phar.D. For many years Dr. Brown was an English teacher in the Washington, D.C. high schools. In 1919 the government sent her to France as a Y.M.C.A. secretary and in 1930 she, too, accompanied the Gold Star War Mothers to France as a hostess.
Mary Eliza Church Terrell for more than sixty-six years was an ardent champion of racial and gender equality. A graduate of Oberlin College she received an A.B. in 1884, later an A.M. and took a teaching position at Wilberforce University. One year later she was teaching at the M Street High School in Washington D.C. She lived in Europe two years and returned as an advocate of racial elevation. She became the founder and first president of the National Association of Colored Women in 1896. Symbolizing unity among Black women, this self-help organization offered sisterly support for its members and created programs that addressed racial problems through the elevation of Black women.	Mrs. Mary Church Terrell
She was one of the women activists who played a large part in the early development of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People founded in 1909. She spoke three languages fluently, was an invited speaker here in the United States and abroad. She wrote articles and short stories where she sought to further interracial understanding by educating white people about the realities of black life. Mrs. Terrell was a member of the Board of Trustees of the public schools and of the Board of Education in Washington, D.C. Terrell also served on the Board of Trustees of Howard University. It was in the home of Mrs. Terrell in March 1910 that the meeting to establish a College Alumnae Club was held. Mrs. Terrell served one year as the first president.
Mary E. Cromwell earned her A.B. degree from the University of Michigan and her M.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania and additional graduate work at Columbia University. She taught mathematics in Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C. Miss Cromwell was keenly interested in social problems and served as the first secretary of the National Association of College Women in 1924.