Since its founding in 1909, women have been at the forefront of leadership at NAACP. Rosa Parks, Myrlie Evers, and even Eleanor Roosevelt are just a few of the iconic women who have shaped the NAACP into the civil rights force that it is now. From our founders, Executive Directors, staff and members, Black women have always been principal figures in our history.
Below are 10 NAACP women in the NAACP you should know about:
Karen Boykin Towns: As a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) she serves as Vice Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors, Chairman of its National Health Committee and President Emeritus of the Brooklyn, NY Branch. She is the Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Pfizer Inc. where her career spans more than 20 years. She has held leadership roles in government relations, public affairs and global policy.
Dr. Thelma Daley: Dr. Thelma Daley hails from Annapolis, MD, and currently serves as the National Director of Women in the NAACP. Dr. Daley is an astute advocate for education and was the first woman to chair the National Advisory Council on Career Education. She’s been honored in Who’s Who Among Black Americans.
Akosua Ali: Mrs. Akosua Ali is the President of the NAACP Washington, DC Branch and member of the National Board of Directors. At 35, Mrs. Ali is one of the youngest Presidents of an NAACP Branch throughout the nation. She has led the NAACP in processing over 300 discrimination complaints, since 2010. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a service sorority.
Kamilia Landrum: Kamilia is the youngest Executive Director of the Detroit branch of the NAACP – one of the association’s largest and strongest branches. She is poised to welcome up to 10,000 people to her city on behalf of the NAACP, as she hosts the 110th Annual NAACP National Convention from July 20 – 24, 2019. Read more about Kamilia on the Detroit Free Press.
Leslie Redmond: Leslie Redmond, 26, is the youngest president in the history of the Minneapolis branch of the NAACP. She was elected to the position in March 2018 at the age of 25. A combined J.D. and MBA student at St. Thomas University, she has long been a leader in the Minneapolis community, working to shed light on the region’s broken criminal justice system. Read more about Leslie on MPR News.
L. Joy Williams: L. Joy is the president of the Brooklyn NAACP, the host of the civic education podcast #SundayCivics and founding Chairman of Higher Heights for America. She previously served as an at large NAACP board member and remains one of the association’s strongest activists.
Eris Sims: Eris T. Sims is the Chief of Staff for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In this role, Ms. Sims oversees the day-to-day activities of the Executive Office, and prior to serving as Chief of Staff, she was NAACP’s Senior Director of Events Planning where she led the production of the Association’s hallmark event – The Annual NAACP National Convention.
Tiffany Dena Loftin: is the Director of the NAACP Youth & College Division. In this role, she serves more than 700 Youth Councils, High School Chapters, and College Chapters actively involved in the fight for civil rights. Ms. Loftin brings to the NAACP an extensive experience in and passion for membership-based organizing at the local, state, and national level. She was recently featured in NBCBLK’s “She Thrives” series.
Khyla Craine: Khyla D. Craine, attorney and activist, is an Assistant General Counsel at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Headquarters. In this role, Ms. Craine helps to manage the day-to-day legal issues of the NAACP organization. Ms. Craine’s activism extends through membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the American Bar Association and the National Bar Association, where she is the former Chair of Young Lawyers’ Division (NBA YLD).
