Biography

The United Sisters of Black Hawk County (United Sisters) is an Iowa women's networking organization for women of color that was established in 1987. Its charter members were five women of color: Clozelle Harris, Essie Johnson (now Buls), Rosalyn Middleton, Bonetta Culp, and Diana Fortenberry. As its mission, the organization seeks to uplift the status of women of color of all ages in the areas of economic, employment, educational, cultural, and networking development. Local and state issues are addressed through monthly business meetings, social projects, and an annual state conference. The United Sisters also organize weekly exercise classes, workshops, forums, and special events. Examples of events sponsored include an all-male fashion show, a Miss Black Hawk Scholarship Pageant, and an annual black history and cultural fair. The headquarters for the organization is the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Black Hawk County. United Sisters also features a branch for girls, United Teens. The teen group's mission is to encourage girls of color to gather to discuss the prejudices they may hold and discrimination they may experience in their lives.

United Sisters is the Iowa state affiliate of Networking Together, Inc., a non-profit coalition of state networks representing American Indian, Asian-American, African-American, and Hispanic women in seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The coalition actively addresses issues of common concern that affect the economic self-sufficiency of women of color. Networking Together organizes conferences annually, which are open to all members of the state affiliates.

Citation:

Author: Melanie Jacobs, 1997

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