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North Bronx Section Founder
Daisy S. George
In early 1967, six women under the leadership of Daisy S. George, past regional Director of the National Council of Negro Women, met to see if it was feasible to form a section in the North Bronx. Those six women were Susie Haskins, Pearl Kirkland, Jessie Profit, Louise McLemore, Kathelyn Rux, and Maggie Alston. Later a few more women gathered with the original six for further discussion. Among those were Agnes Haywood, Burmadine Hinds, Virdell Mills, Portia F. Lloyd, Irma Sams, Rynita Coram, and Hyacinthe Gray.
By the end of April, they had the required fifty members to apply for a charter. On May 17, 1967, the North Bronx Section had its charter, adopted bylaws, and a constitution, thus becoming another bonafide NCNW section.
Co-Founders
Maggie Alston
Rhynita Coram
Susie J. Haskins
Louise McLemore
Jessie A. Profit
Kathelyn M. Rux
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** Charter Members **
North Bronx NCNW
Child Development Center
The doors of our center opened to the service of children in 1968 as the Wake Eden Day Care Center. In 1980, The New York City Agency for Child Development (ACD) found the Wake Eden Board of Directors in non-compliance of ACD’s rules and regulations and then officially discharged the Board. In spite of the Board’s violations, ACD determined that first Director Alpha Roberts was running an excellent educational, comprehensive day care program. The center was not closed. Instead, ACD solicited the community for an approved, recognized, worthy organization to replace the center’s Board of Directors.
In 1980, NYC HRA contacted NCNW member, Lena Council. ACD asked Ms. Council to send a proposal for North Bronx NCNW to sponsor the Wake Eden Day Care Center. Ms. Council presented this opportunity to our Executive Board. It was approved. Sponsoring the day care center was a response to the legacy of founder –“I leave you finally, a responsibility to our young people”. Thus, the North Bronx NCNW Child Development Center was born.
In July 1980, a group of the members of North Bronx Section meet with ACD for an initial
briefing and organizing sponsorship sessions. After numerous on- going meetings, in October 1980 the sponsorship was awarded to North Bronx NCNW. Twenty one section members of diverse professional backgrounds and community activists were selected to serve on the Board of Directors. The center was renamed The North Bronx NCNW Child Development Center. The Bylaws were officially adopted on October 28, 1980 and the Board was incorporated in April 1982. The first Board Chairperson was the late Eva C. Daniels.
The section further extended their commitment to children by fostering an agreement between the Board of Directors of the North Bronx NCNW Child Development Center and the Executive Director and Founder of the Mind Builders Program, Madaha Kinsey-Lamb. Mind Builders moved into the center until their building was ready. Children had the opportunity to be a part of both programs and enhance their learning experiences. Over the years, we’ve had several programs and services, including after school activities, tutorial services, book fairs, culturally inclusive play, proms for graduation and day care providers’ sponsorship.
After more than 40 years, the North Bronx NCNW Child Development Center continues to support the community. We offer 3-K and Pre-Kindergarten (PK) with a focus on early
childhood education, fostering children’s growth and learning within the community.