[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 214 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
                    NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 18, 2025

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to introduce a 
resolution recognizing the 90th anniversary of the National Council of 
Negro Women, one of the most enduring and consequential organizations 
in the history of our country.
  Ninety years ago, the incomparable Mary McLeod Bethune founded the 
National Council of Negro Women with a singular purpose: to unite Black 
women's organizations and strengthen our collective power to make a 
better world. She believed deeply in the strength of organized 
womanhood and the necessity of Black women's leadership in shaping the 
future of this Nation.
  For generations, NCNW has carried that mission forward. It has stood 
at the forefront of movements for justice, equality, economic 
empowerment, and educational opportunity. It has been a training ground 
for advocates, a safe harbor for families, and a beacon of civic 
leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, it is impossible to speak of NCNW without honoring the 
extraordinary legacy of my dear friend, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. For 
42 years, Dr. Height served as President of NCNW and transformed it 
into a national powerhouse for civil and human rights. She was an 
advisor to presidents, a strategist for the movement, and a fierce 
defender of Black women's dignity and advancement.
  Dr. Height's vision gave birth to programs that continue to shape our 
communities today--most notably the Black Family Reunion, a national 
celebration of culture, unity, and intergenerational strength. This 
gathering has helped reinforce the bonds that hold families together 
and affirm the values that empower us to overcome the challenges Black 
people face in America.
  Today, under the leadership of Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, NCNW 
continues to grow its reach and impact. Its programs promote health 
equity, economic mobility, STEM education for girls, and community 
wellness. Its membership now represents more than two million women, 
spanning hundreds of community and collegiate sections and more than 
330 affiliate organizations.
  And for decades, its headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue has stood as 
a symbol of NCNW's enduring place in the civic landscape of Washington, 
D.C. The only Black-owned building on this historic avenue in our 
Nation's capital, it is a center of excellence, and a national 
treasure.
  Mr. Speaker, as NCNW marks 90 years of service, it is important that 
this Congress acknowledge its contributions to the Nation, honor the 
women who built its legacy, and celebrate the generations who continue 
to carry its mission forward.
  With this resolution, we recognize NCNW's historic work, its 
transformative leadership, and its unwavering commitment to 
strengthening Black families and communities. We honor the legacies of 
Mary McLeod Bethune and Dr. Dorothy Height, and we express our deep 
gratitude to Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley and the millions of women who 
make NCNW a force for good in our country.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution and in 
celebrating the National Council of Negro Women on its 90th 
anniversary.

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