Research and writing by Kimberly Barros
submitted by Jerry Morse 1/31/2026
In the 1890s only a thousand Blacks lived in Worcester, MA. The small population of African American people made it hard for their community to succeed.
In this paper, Barros highlights the remarkable lives of women who have made significant contributions by challenging gender and racial systems. Understanding their stories is crucial, as we continue to share information to raise awareness. We are able to see and perceive who these women were, why we are standing here today, and how we can continue moving forward for the sake of future generations.
This document helps us to understand what were the sacrifices that women such as Sara Ella Wilson and Jennie Cora Clough had to make, to be seen as equally respected among other women.
Since the beginning of the civil rights movement, women have been fighting to collect signs and speak on the front for Worcester’s history, working to support the rights of people of color, mothers, immigrants, and Native Americans. They established clubs and organizations from Christian, Baptist, and Catholic denominations with the backing of their husbands or through funds collected within their communities.
Even before associations were formed, African American women organized their own groups and started to support families, neighborhoods, and businesses in their community. Women’s suffrage and black rights were of importance to them.
The following are some of the clubs that contribute to the development of Women’s rights.
The YWCA formed in October of 1898. It started with a group of black women with hard work and dedication. They decided to focus their intentions on supporting aged colored men and women who needed a place to live. Their goal was to secure cooperation between all the members, mutual improvement, and the establishment of a Day Nursery and home for needy indigent Women of color.
The Women’s progressive club, in conjunction with the A.M.E. Zion churches were created by women to support and benefit the black members of their community. At this time, black neighborhoods faced more segregation and disenfranchisement because of their race and sex. Because of these factors, they created a service for their community. It became a tradition in which black women’s organizations united themselves for social service.
The NAACP (Home-aged Colored Women) was dedicated to collect funds for African American women that were passing through situations of poverty and economic conflicts at home, partially for indigent women outside the home. Their ways to make money were getting funds from outside of membership as donations, fundraising, and cash. They also planned annual dinners and concerts that attracted different people that could afford to enjoy the night.
These groups were sustained by fundraising committees of black church ladies, organizing, running, and benefiting social causes. Their goals were “to end abuses of power, to supplant corrupt power with reformed versions of such traditional institutions of schools, charities, medical clinics, and to apply scientific principles and efficient management to economic, social and political institutions” Wanting to be taken seriously, they worked and never stopped despite segregation discrimination, Civil War, WW2, the Great Depression, and the struggle for civil rights.
What were the risks that they took and what were the consequences of their actions?
These women, among others, dedicated their time and efforts to combat racial segregation, promote civil rights, and work towards a more inclusive and equal society in Worcester before, during, and beyond the reconstruction era. Their contributions helped shape the city’s history for progress. Their efforts have laid the foundation for the improvement that we continue today and their work should be acknowledged by understanding the struggles, sacrifices, and risks these women faced.
Sara and Jennie worked hard to make a change in society. We recognize their achievements and contributions to building a more inclusive and egalitarian future.
continued as biographies of: