Women in NAACP Returns to Community: Health, Service and Sisterhood

Women have always been central to the work of the NAACP. In Des Moines, Women in NAACP, commonly known as WIN, is entering a new chapter focused on service, health, leadership and sisterhood.

This year brought a transition in local WIN leadership. Danielle Mitchell and Anesa Buchanan are serving as the committee's new co-chairs. Former chair Mary Chapman, whose leadership helped sustain the committee, plans to remain involved as an active WIN member as the next chapter of the work takes shape.

Moving from meetings into service

WIN's rebuilding has already translated into community activity. In May, members organized a hygiene-supply collection after learning that students and families at King Elementary School needed additional support. The school identified needs including shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion and toothpaste, and WIN members mobilized around the request.

During the summer, the committee continued expanding its community presence and participated in the Black Women 4 Healthy Living conference, including a WIN community table that created opportunities to connect with women, share information about the NAACP and invite new participation.

Health, service and leadership belong together

These activities may look different from one another, but they reflect the breadth of WIN. Women in NAACP exists to strengthen the participation and leadership of women throughout the Association while addressing issues affecting women, children and families.

That can mean direct service. It can mean health advocacy. It can mean voter engagement, mentoring, leadership development, public education or creating spaces where women can build relationships and identify the issues they want to address together.

The Des Moines WIN committee is growing, and that means there is room to help shape what comes next.

There is room for women who have been part of the NAACP for years and women who are just discovering it. There is room for different generations, professions, experiences and forms of leadership.

The movement has always needed women. WIN offers another way for women in Greater Des Moines to find one another, serve together and get to work.