The Arkansas Association of Women's Clubs was organized in 1905 after several clubs joined the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs in recognizing that in unity there is strength. The first clubs were organized in Little Rock and Fort Smith in 1898. Mrs. Mame Josenberger of Forth Smith met and became friends with Mrs. Booker T. Washington while attending Fisk University. Mrs. Washington visited Mrs. Josenberger in Fort Smith and became aware of the tremendous work the Fort Smith group known as the Relief Corps, was doing to help in a relief effort after a cyclone struck the city causing extreme devastation and encouraged them to join the National movement.
In 1901 the Little Rock and Fort Smith clubs became the first clubs to affiliate with the national organization. They became the Little Rock Branch of the NACWC and Phyllis Wheatley Club of Fort Smith. As other clubs in the state were formed they too joined the national organization. By 1905 as the member of clubs across the state had increased, the leaders, Mrs. Mary H Speight, Mrs. Mame Joenberger, Mrs. Anna T. Strickland and other sent out a call for all women's clubs to come together to consider forming a state association. The necessary action was taken and the Arkansas Association of Women's Clubs was formed and was granted affiliation with the National Association of Women's Clubs the same year. The first convention was held in 1908 in Hot Springs, Arkansas and Mrs. Mary H Speight was elected president.
The women who pioneered the Arkansas and National Associations were engaged in missionary and charitable work, sewing, circles, reading clubs, literary societies, mothers' meetings and community service organizations. They were in careers as education, medical field, and worked in other community endeavors. There cause was to improve health care for the sick, elderly, and less fortunate in their neighborhoods. The clubs were organized for the mutual benefit of its members and for group and family improvement. The objectives have not changed. Programs and services strategies have kept up with the challenges of the social, political, and economic needs of local, state and national conditions.
The main objective of the AAWC, Inc. during the first two decades was the establishment of a home for boys and girls who were sent to prison built for adult offenders. After many years and many visits to the offices of State officials this objective was met. A training school for boys was stablished in 1928-29. It took 20 years more to get the girls facility established and funded by the state. Since then, Arkansas club women turned their attention to education, scholarships, leadership training, and cultural enrichment for girls, boys, and young adults. AAWC sponsored music, dance, arts, and crafts and literary activities with great success at the region and national level. A large number of youth have been winners at all three levels and were elected officers of the Region and National Youth Associations. One of these students, Andrea Brooks-Smith of Madison, Arkansas, was president of NACWC Girls Association and held the position of third Vice President of the adult National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, Inc. and chairperson of the NACWC Young Adults Committee. In July 2006, Xavier Billingsley of Blytheville, Arkansas was elected president of the NACWC Boys Association in Detroit, Michigan. He also won the national oratorical contest.
Arkansas has 14 adult clubs, 6 youth clubs, and in its 110 year history has had 27 presidents. The Arkansas Association of Women's Clubs, Inc. has a proud history and the women of vision who started this movement more than 100 years, left us a legacy of strenth, courage, leadership, and achievement.