Women of Power

Leading, developing, and advocating women of African descent is what The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is all about. Founded in Washington D.C. by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, the organization began its journey of empowerment in 1935. The nationally recognized organization is now led by President Ingrid Saunders Jones. The NCNW headquarters is currently located on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington D.C.

On May 12, 2012, 76 women came together to charter a collegiate chapter of NCNW here at Frostburg State University (FSU). That chapter is currently being advised by Robin Wynder, who is the Director of the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on campus. FSU-NCNW holds multiple forums throughout the academic year, in which they extend an invitation to anyone on campus able to attend. These forums focus on a variety of topics, but all are geared towards helping the students.

Along with hosting their own forums, FSU-NCNW also participates in multiple community service events. While lending a hand with events like Relay for Life and Beautify the Burg, the organization shows how much it cares for its community. The members of the organization also earn community service hours when participating in these events. Every year NCNW supports a family in need during Thanksgiving and hold events during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. FSU-NCNW has an upcoming Breast Cancer Awareness event on Oct. 10, 2018. The organization will also be performing community service on Oct. 20, 2018 at the church on Main Street. All of this is done under the supervision of the organization’s president.

The student organization is currently led by President Dana Sumlin, a senior majoring in health science with a focus of pre-veterinary medicine. Sumlin holds the responsibility of connecting her organization with other student organizations on-campus. She also keeps her chapter of NCNW connected to other chapters of NCNW throughout the state of Maryland. Dana works with her executive board members to develop and carryout forums for the student body.  Sumlin says, “I was very shy and quiet before I came to Frostburg. So, when I joined, I gained a lot of friends. Some of my best friends now, I met them through NCNW my freshman year.” Every good president needs a strong vice president to back them.

Sumlin is backed by Vice President Tionna Bush. Bush, in her senior year, is double majoring in law & society and political science. As vice president, she works closely with the president to develop programs as well as ensuring the successful operation of the organization. Tionna’s duties also include maintaining at least 20 NCNW members, as well as assisting in the creation of the bylaws that govern the Executive Board and general body of NCNW. Bush says, “this organization made me feel like I have a voice. I’m a very talkative person, but I’ve never really spoken out about my beliefs and thoughts for women’s rights.”  Sumlin, Bush, and the entire chapter of NCNW work together to promote awareness for the African-American women on Frostburg’s campus.

The organization is built to empower not only women of African descent, but women of all kind. NCNW highlights the importance of mental health, equality, and wealth between women. Though the focus of the organization is women, women are not the only members. The organization’s membership is open to anyone no matter how they identify.