New National Council of Negro Women Chapter Brings Representation and Leadership to Campus

Channa Kassim dances during part of a public ceremony for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in the Frick Center of Mar. 31. Kassim is one of the founding members of EU’s chapter of the NCNW. (Ian Murphy)

A new chapter of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) officially became part of campus life on Thursday, Nov. 20, marking a major step toward expanding women’s leadership, service, and community on campus.

According to the NCNW website, the organization is “comprised of over 350 campus and community-based sections and 37 national women’s organizations that enlightens, inspires, and connects more than 2 million women and men. Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families and communities.”

EU student Chaanna Kassim, who is a founding member of Elmhurst University’s chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a Divine Nine historically Black sorority, would go to certain events for her sorority and see members of the NCNW, which piqued her interest into what it was. She also found they had scholarships she was able to apply for.

“I wanted a space where women feel like they have something that they all can do and that is catered to us,” said Kassim.

While the organization is historically Black, it is open to women of any race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Xela Blumenberg said she heard a lot of students saying they wanted to be more involved on campus, so she wanted to give them the opportunity to come together and support each other.

She said that they were able to talk to older members from the west suburban section who encouraged them to start a section at EU.

Blumenberg said that the organization does a lot of community service, and there are a lot of scholarships and endowments that are presented to the members of the NCNW.

“It’s just a vessel of service,” said Blumenberg. “Everybody’s welcome.”

Kassim and Blumenberg said they have some ideas for events that the organization wants to hold, such as something on campus called a “sister circle.”

Kassim said that this would be an event partnered with the Wellness Center.

“It’s where a group of women can come and express their concerns on campus no matter what they are doing on campus, and we want to bring awareness to that,” said Kassim.

Another reason Kassim and Blumenberg brought the NCNW to campus is to give people a sense of sisterhood without the costs of sororities, as the organization costs only $25 a year for membership.

Kassim said that students still get the benefits of going to conferences and meeting people, as well as networking, but it is not as much commitment.

“It surpasses beyond even when you graduate. So even when you graduate, you’re still a part of the organization,” said Kassim. “So it’s not like the networking leaves as soon as you graduate.”

The club aims to help women succeed, whether that be through an etiquette class or a self-defense class. They want women to be able to build themselves as people, but also to have the skills to succeed in the future and feel like they belong.

Blumenberg said she hopes that a legacy the club leaves behind is having a positive impact not just personally, but also for the overall university.