The effectiveness of the NAACP lies in the multiracial, multi-generational mass of ordinary men and women who unite to awaken the consciousness of a people and a nation. The time has come to encourage all our members and friends to join. Application forms are available at the Fellowship. You can give your completed forms to Judy Bonner or Helen Bishop along with annual dues of $30 or mail to:
Melinda Lowrance
318 N Main St, Unit 11
Hendersonville, NC 28792
You can also sign up online HERE.
Local NAACP History
In 2012, it had been decades since Hendersonville had an NAACP chapter. The time was right to re-form a local chapter, especially because the Rev. Dr. William Barber was leading Moral Monday demonstrations attended by many members of this Fellowship. By April, the time was right for an organizational meeting. It would take at least 50 people to reconstitute the chapter, and it didn’t take long for more than 50 local residents to join the national NAACP. People of all races and ethnicities, belonging to multiple faith and secular communities, representing rich and poor, LGBTQ and straight, employed and unemployed, are now part of Hendersonville’s NAACP chapter, working for justice together under the outstanding leadership of chapter President Melinda Lowrance.
National NAACP History
First founded on February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s foremost, largest, and most widely recognized civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, leading grassroots campaigns for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization.
Mission: to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Vision: to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.
Initiatives for the 21st century: economic sustainability, education, health, public safety and criminal justice, voting rights and political representation, and expanding youth and young adult engagement.
The real story of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization lies in the hearts and minds of all those who refused to stand idly while race prejudice tarnished our nation. From bold investigations of mob brutality, protests of mass murders, segregation and discrimination, to testimony before congressional committees on the vicious tactics used to bar African Americans from the ballot box, it was the talent and tenacity of NAACP members that saved lives and made change.
With a powerful membership base, the NAACP will continue to persevere. Together we can remain vigilant until the promise of America is made real for all Americans.