Charlotta Bass and the National Association of Colored Women
Charlotta Bass stands out in history as one of the most influential African American women of the 20th century. Known primarily for her long tenure as the editor and publisher of The California Eagle, one of the oldest Black newspapers in the United States, Bass was also deeply involved in a wide array of civil rights causes. One of her significant roles was as a member of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), an organization that aimed to elevate the status of African American women and promote racial equality. Through her work with the NACW, Charlotta Bass helped drive social change, address pressing societal issues, and foster community growth among Black women during a critical period in American history.
The National Association of Colored Women: A Historical Context
Founded in 1896, the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) was born out of necessity. During this period, Black women faced the double burden of racial and gender discrimination, a combination that barred them from participating in white women’s organizations and denied them civil rights as Black citizens. The NACW provided a platform for African American women to address issues ranging from education, health care, and employment, to lynching, segregation, and voter disenfranchisement. Under the motto “Lifting as We Climb,” the organization aimed to improve the social status of African American women while working for the betterment of the entire Black community.
The NACW brought together some of the most influential African American women of the time, including leaders like Mary Church Terrell, Ida B. Wells, and Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin. Charlotta Bass, though primarily known for her journalism, became an important figure in this organization, using her skills as a writer, speaker, and activist to advance its goals.
Charlotta Bass’s Early Activism
Charlotta Bass’s introduction to activism began long before she became a prominent journalist. After moving to Los Angeles in 1910, she took over The California Eagle from its founder, John J. Neimore. Her editorial leadership was transformative. She used the newspaper as a platform to challenge racial discrimination in housing, employment, and education, providing a voice to a community often ignored by the mainstream media. Through her journalism, Bass became well-versed in the issues that African American women faced, and it was a natural progression for her to align herself with the NACW, an organization that sought to address these challenges.
Her work with the NACW allowed Bass to expand her focus from the Los Angeles area to national issues. The NACW’s national platform offered her an opportunity to advocate for broader systemic change, something she had already begun to do on a local level through The California Eagle.
Fostering Black Women’s Leadership
One of the critical objectives of the NACW was to foster leadership among Black women, equipping them with the tools necessary to engage in community-building and civil rights activism. Charlotta Bass was not only a participant in this mission but also a key figure in cultivating future leaders. Through both her work with the NACW and her journalism, Bass mentored young Black women, encouraging them to take on leadership roles in their communities.
At a time when Black women were often marginalized even within the African American community, the NACW served as a crucial space for leadership development. Bass’s editorial work frequently emphasized the importance of education, civic engagement, and political involvement for Black women. She highlighted their stories, achievements, and struggles in The California Eagle, ensuring that Black women’s voices were heard and respected.
Advocating for Social Justice and Civil Rights
Bass’s work with the NACW also extended into the broader fight for social justice and civil rights. The organization was a strong advocate for anti-lynching legislation, a cause that Bass fervently supported. She used her position within the NACW to help amplify the voices of women like Ida B. Wells, who had been at the forefront of the anti-lynching movement. Together, the NACW and leaders like Bass sought to hold the American government accountable for its failure to protect African Americans from racial violence.
Moreover, Bass championed voting rights for African Americans, particularly Black women. The NACW had been instrumental in the suffrage movement, fighting not only for women’s right to vote but also for the inclusion of Black women, who faced both racial and gender-based disenfranchisement. After the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920, Bass and the NACW continued to push for full voting rights for Black women, particularly in the South, where Jim Crow laws effectively barred them from participating in elections. In her speech “The Justice of Women’s Suffrage,” Mary Church Terrell said:
“What could be more absurd than to see one group of human beings who are denied rights which they are trying to secure for themselves working to prevent another group from obtaining the same rights? For the very arguments which are advanced against granting the right of suffrage to women are offered by those who have disfranchised colored men.”
Bass’s work in these areas was not limited to speeches or advocacy; she actively campaigned for political candidates who supported civil rights and voting rights. Her activism, combined with her journalism, made her a powerful force for change in both local and national politics.
Addressing Economic Inequality
Economic inequality was another central issue that the NACW sought to address, and Charlotta Bass was at the forefront of these efforts. The NACW believed that economic independence was crucial for African American women to achieve true equality. Bass, through her journalism and activism, advocated for fair wages, better working conditions, and employment opportunities for Black women.
As the editor of The California Eagle, Bass regularly published stories that highlighted the economic struggles of Black women, particularly those working as domestic laborers. She used her platform to call for reforms and to support labor movements that sought to improve the conditions for African American women workers. In doing so, Bass helped to bring national attention to the economic exploitation faced by Black women, an issue that the NACW was deeply committed to addressing.
A Legacy of Activism and Advocacy
Charlotta Bass’s work with the National Association of Colored Women is a critical but often overlooked part of her legacy. Through her involvement with the NACW, Bass was able to expand her activism, addressing the intersectional issues of race and gender that affected African American women during the early 20th century. Her work with the organization not only contributed to the advancement of Black women but also to the broader civil rights movement, making her a pivotal figure in the fight for racial and gender equality.
In many ways, Charlotta Bass embodied the motto of the NACW, “Lifting as We Climb,” working not only to improve her own life but also to uplift an entire community of African American women. Her legacy continues to inspire activists and journalists alike, reminding us of the importance of intersectionality in the fight for justice.