MWDC Reception for Mayor Bowser
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
5:00 pm est
The Wilson Building
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MWDC Reception for The Honorable Mayor Muriel E. Bowser
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Reception Speakers with Honoree
Left to Right: Ella Gilbert (not shown), The Honorable Anita Bonds, Rev. Dr. Mary Ivey, The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Mrs. Cora Masters Barry, Raymone Bain (MWDC 1st VP), Virginia Ali (aka Dr. Mom) - founder of Ben's Chili Bowl, Neena Murphy Martin (MWDC President), Janice Davis (past NFDW President).
Reception for Mayor Bowser
Tuesday, June 30th, 2026
The Honorable Mayor Muriel E. Bowser
The Honorable Mayor Muriel E. Bowser
Sharing remarks.
The Metropolitan Women's Democratic Club (MWDC)
The Metropolitan Women's Democratic Club (MWDC) - Empowering Women, Families & Children
Our organization is dedicated to empowering communities by providing resources, education, and support to those in need. We believe that everyone deserves access to a better life, and we work tirelessly to make that a reality. Through our programs and partnerships, we strive to create a more equitable and just society for all. Join us in our mission to make a difference!
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A Conversation with Cora Masters Barry
Wednesday, 13 May 2026:
The MWDC hosted a "Conversation with Cora" for our MWDC May 2026 - General Monthly Meeting. Mrs. Barry spoke about The History of Voter Registration and her New Documentary.
About The Metropolitan Women's Democratic Club (MWDC)
About MWDC ~ Our History, Mission and On-Going Legacy
The Metropolitan Women's Democratic Club (MWDC) is the oldest known African-American female political club in Washington, D.C., founded in 1960 by journalist and civil rights activist Ethel L. Payne. The club was established in response to racial segregation within labor union chapters and aimed to increase female participation in politics, especially in leadership roles. The MWDC's work focuses on legislation on behalf of women, families, and children at the local, regional, and national levels and has advocated for over 66 years. Committed to Civic Engagement at all levels.
MWDC First President: Ethel Payne
Founding and Early Years
Motivating factor: Payne, who worked for the AFL-CIO recruiting African-Americans to join the union.
Political resistance: Frustrated by the union's inaction, Payne and five other women created the MWDC as a political action group to resist the union's lobby for like-minded candidates.
First lifetime member (1973)
About The Metropolitan Women's Democratic Club (MWDC)
Smithsonian – Anacostia Community Museum
https://www.si.edu/object/membership-card-issued-ethel-l-payne:acm_1991.0076.0127
Caption
The Metropolitan Women’s Democratic Club (MWDC) issued its first lifetime membership card to “Ethel Payne” in 1973. More than a decade earlier, Payne co-founded the political action group and served as its first president (1960-1962). At that time, she worked for the AFL-CIO recruiting African Americans to join the labor union. Some of its local chapters, including Washington, DC’s, remained racially segregated, and the union president declined to intervene. In resistance to the union’s lobby for like-minded political candidates, Payne and five other women created MWDC to increase female participation in politics, especially in leadership roles. A Chicago native, Ethel L. Payne (1911-1991) moved to Washington, DC in 1952 to cover national and international news. The lifelong civil rights activist reported from thirty countries over the course of her career, becoming known as the First Lady of the Black Press.
Cite As: Ethel Lois Payne Collection, Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Gift of Avis R. Johnson.
Date: 1973
November 30, 2023
New White House Lectern Named
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announces that the new lectern in the Jim Brady Briefing Room has been named in honor of Alice Dunnigan and Ethel Payne, the first two Black women reporters in the White House press corps.
Meetings 2026 -- The Metropolitan Women's Democratic Club
Calendar
08/xx/2026: MWDC Sisters Retreat
09/02/2026 (Wed): MWDC Executive Board Meeting
09/09/2026 (Wed): MWDC Regular Monthly Meeting
Contact Us
The Metropolitan Women's Democratic Club (MWDC)
Post Office Box 56265, NW, Washington, DC 20040
