Westchester Black Women's Political Caucus Inc.
In 1976, Alice’s dream, the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, was born and Alice C. Scott served as its first president. Attorney Joan Mosley and Alice Scott, the cofounders, drafted the bylaws and structure for the new organization. Under Scott’s watchful eye, the county organization served as the hub and set up chapters in Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Greenburgh/White Plains, and Peekskill.
The good news spread countywide without ONE cell phone. The attendance doubled at each new meeting bringing women from all corners of the county together every month. Alice Scott, Joan Horton, Carole Morris, Ruth Thompson, (Mount Vernon); Joan Mosley, Esq. (Greenburgh); Orial Redd (Rye); Mae “Mom” Robinson, her twins, Joanne and Roberta, Ethel Harmon, Rose Taylor, Jeanette Ray, and Cheryl Brannan (Yonkers); Bernadine McWilliams, Annie Johnson, Leola Gaines, Vera McCorvey, Ruth Tibbs, and Eugenia Hayes (Peekskill); Annie Grant (Yorktown), Gwendolyn Lynch, Alfreda Williams, Eddie Mae Barnes, Bernice Burton, Lois Bronz, Mae Kyle Jones, Marion Young, Lucille Gray and Irene Lane, (Greenburgh); Pearl C. Quarles, Ilza Williams, Rhoda Quash, Audrey and Geraldine Clark, (New Rochelle) and a few others.
Causes & Projects
Since its inception, the mission of the Caucus has held steadfast – to encourage greater participation of black women in all phases of the political process and to project, pursue and support causes and issues which or persons who advance the socio-economic and political position of women and minorities.
Lois T. Bronz was the only member who had been elected to office before the organization was formally organized. Lois was first elected to the Greenburgh Town Council in 1976.
The Caucus collaborated with other community groups like the Black Democrats of Westchester, the Black Republicans and the NAACP, and brought in experts who offered workshops on topics such as How to run for office, Setting up a campaign committee, Public speaking, Studying/debating the issues, Writing a campaign platform, How to campaign, Raising campaign funds, Getting the nomination and getting on the ballot, Registering voters and Getting out the vote.