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9/14/74 - National Council of Negro Women
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9/14/74 - National Council of Negro Women
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Betty Ford White House Papers
Local Events Files
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African Americans
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "9/14/74 - National Council of Negro
Women" of the Betty Ford White House Papers, 1973-1977 at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Betty Ford donated to the United States
of America her copyrights in all of her unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN, SEPTEMBER 14, 1974
IT IS A GREAT PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE HERE AT YOUR LUNCHEON,
PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE IS
THAT YOU ARE EMPHASIZING THE IDEA OF UNITY OF WOMEN -- You ARE
COMBINING YOUR ABILITIES AND YOUR POWER TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.
AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY REAL PROGRESS OCCURS IN OUR COUNTRY.
FORD i GERALD LIBRARY
-2-
I AM GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND SUPPORT YOU,
My HUSBAND WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE IDEA AND LEADERSHIP
OF YOUR CONFERENCE, AND HE SENDS HIS SUPPORT AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO MEET WITH YOU.
FORD & GERALD LIBRARY
SUGGESTIONS for remarks
This is not a formal speech situation, and a few brief words
will be very appropriate. The only thing I might mention is
the wordgroup's aversion to the subject of "voluntarism" as
such. Although they represent groups that undertake many worthy
projects on a volunteer basis, the word "volunteer" has apparently
become somewhat of a dirty word in that many black women feel
they have been taken advantage of in a volunteer capacity.
I would suggest something along these lines
R.
FORD
- commending individuals for the work each of them do
GERALD
LIBRARY
- stressing how much good these same individuals do in a united,
group effort such as this
and how dependent progress in this
country is on people like them.
(Stan Scott specifically suggested commending Gloria Toote if possible)
For example
First of all, I have to say how impressed I am by the work all of
you do as individuals. Each of you here has a very important sphere
of influence, has an important affect in providing leadership in your
area and other areas that touch it. The president of the National
Council, Dorothy Height, and the national reputation she has attained
Dr. Gloria Toote and the outstanding work she has done in her job
at HUD. There are many
As individuals, you have much to be
proud of.
But perhaps the most important thing about your conference is the fact
that all of you here are emphasizing the idea of unity of women --
that you are concentrating on combining your abilities and your power.
You are making it your responsi ility to turn outside your smaller
areas of interest and concentrate on some of these broader problems
that affect all of us as women.
This is the only way real progress occurs in our country. I am grateful
for what you are doing and support you. And my husband, who was
very impressed with the idea and leadership of your two-day conference,
sends his support as well.
Thank you for asking me to be a part.
SUGGESTIONS for remarks
This is not a formal speech situation, and a few brief words
will be very appropriate. The only thing I might mention is
the
group's aversion to the subject of "voluntarism" as
such. Although they represent groups that undertake many worthy
projects on a volunteer basis, the word "volunteer" has apparently
become somewhat of a dirty word in that many black women feel
they have been taken advantage of in a volunteer capacity.
of
FORD
I would suggest something along these lines
LIBRARY
- commending individuals for the work each of them do
- stressing how much good these same individuals do in a united,
group effort such as this
and how dependent progress in this
country is on people like them.
(Stan Scott specifically suggested commending Gloria Toote if possible)
For example
First of all, I have to say how impressed I am by the work all of
you do as individuals. Each of you here has a very important sphere
of influence, has an important affect in providing leadership in your
area, and other areas that touch it. The president of the National
Council, Dorothy Height, and the national reputation she has attained
Dr. Gloria Toote and the outstanding work she has done in her job
at HUD. There are many
As individuals, you have much to be
proud of.
But perhaps the most important thing about your conference is the fact
that all of you here are emphasizing the idea of unity of women --
that you are concentrating on combining your abilities and your power.
You are making it your responsibility to turn outside your smaller
areas of interest and concentrate on some of these broader problems
that affect all of us as women.
This is the only way real progress occurs in our country. I am grateful
for what you are doing and support you. And my husband, who was
very impressed with the idea and leadership of your two-day conference,
sends his support as well.
Thank you for asking me to be a part.
THE FIRST LADY CAN CHOOSE WHICH FIRST PAGE SHE PREFERS,
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN, SEPTEMBER 14, 1974
IT IS A GREAT PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE HERE AT YOUR LUNCHEON,
PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT YOUR CONFERENCE IS
THE FACT THAT ALL OF YOU HERE ARE EMPHASIZING THE IDEA OF
UNITY OF WOMEN -- You ARE
COMBINING YOUR ABILITIES AND YOUR
POWER TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL. AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY REAL
PROGRESS OCCURS IN OUR COUNTRY,
-2-
I AM GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND SUPPORT YOU,
My HUSBAND WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE IDEA AND LEADERSHIP
OF YOUR CONFERENCE, AND HE SENDS HIS SUPPORT AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO MEET WITH YOU.
FORD & GREATO LIBRARY
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN, SEPTEMBER 14, 1974
IT IS A GREAT PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE HERE AT YOUR LUNCHEON.
PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT YOUR CONFERENCE IS
THE FACT THAT ALL OF YOU HERE ARE EMPHASIZING THE IDEA OF
UNITY OF WOMEN -- You ARE ON COMBINING YOUR ABILITIES AND YOUR
POWER TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL. AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY REAL
PROGRESS OCCURS IN OUR COUNTRY,
-2-
I AM GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND SUPPORT YOU.
My HUSBAND WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE IDEA AND LEADERSHIP
OF YOUR CONFERENCE, AND HE SENDS HIS SUPPORT AS WELL,
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO MEET WITH YOU.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN, SEPTEMBER 14, 1974
IT IS A GREAT PLEASURE FOR ME TO BE HERE AT YOUR LUNCHEON,
PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE IS
THAT YOU ARE EMPHASIZING THE IDEA OF UNITY OF WOMEN - --- You ARE
COMBINING YOUR ABILITIES AND YOUR POWER TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.
AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY REAL PROGRESS OCCURS IN OUR COUNTRY,
-2-
I AM GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND SUPPORT YOU.
R.
My HUSBAND WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE IDEA AND LEADERSHIP
GERALD
FORD
LIBRARY
OF YOUR CONFERENCE, AND HE SENDS HIS SUPPORT AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO MEET WITH YOU.
R.
GEARTS
FORD
BACKGROUNDER on Natl Council of Negro Women event
LIBRARY
This group represents the top women's volunteer organizations
in the country -- everything from the General Federation of
Women's Clubs to the American Nurses Association to church
groups and sororities.
There will be from 100-125 women, predominantly black. Most
are presidents or top executive officers of their groups. Their
age range is 20 - 80, but most are in 40s and 50s.
They are meeting for two days to discuss primarily womens
problems in housing -- discrimination, etc -- but they are also
touching on related problems of food, credit, etc.
You may know that this invitation resulted from the President's
contact with Dorothy Height, president of the Natl Council, when
he dedicated the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial in Lincoln
Square this spring MMB was the founder of the Natl Council
and a strong figure in black history -- this is her Memorial Year,
and it may come up in coversation. Miss Height will be sitting
next to you at the luncheon and greeting you upon arrival.
On your other side will be Dr. Gloria Toote, a Republican and
the highest black woman in government. She is assistant secretary
at HUD for equal opportunities and has been a friend of this
administration.
* This is the first time a coñference like this has ever been held --
first time this magnitude.
The luncheon will be held in the new headquarters building of the
National Association of Home Builders -- the first time an outside
group has used it.
p. jajr matson
MRS. FORD
Sept. 12, 1974
6 p.m.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, Sept. 14, 1974
Luncheon organized by National Council of Negro Women
12:30 p.m. - approx. 2 p.m.
Dress: street dress
Advanceperson: p. matson
12:25 p.m.
DEPART South Lawn via motorcade enroute to
National Housing Center, 15th and M Sts. NW.
You will be accompanied in your car
by Stan Scott, special assistant to the
President.
12:30 p.m.
ARRIVE National Housing Center.
FORD of GERALD LIBRARY
You will be met by: Miss Dorothy
Height, president of the National
Council of Negro Women. She will
escort you inside to a holding room
in which the other head table guests
will be assembled.
Other head table guests include:
Dr. Gloria Toote, Assistant Secretary -HUD for
Equal Opportunity
Mrs. Ruth Hurd Minor, Vice President, Natl Council
Mrs. Maida Kemp, Vice President of Natl Council
Mrs. Dorothea Tolson, Vice President of Natl Council
Dr. Mary O. Ross, President - Natl Baptist Women
Mr. Burton Wood, Natl Assoc of Home Builders official
Others in the room include Miss Ruth Sykes and Mrs.
Dorothy Duke, assistants to Miss Height.
12:35 p.m.
Head table group proceeds into luncheon room.
-2--
12:40 p.m.
Dr. Mary O. Ross will offer the benediction and
lunch will begin.
12100 p.m.
Miss Height will make introductions and opening
remarks.
1:20 p.m.
Miss Height will introduce Burton Wood, who will
welcome guests to his organization's building.
1:22 p.m.
Miss Height will introduce Dr. Toote for remarks.
1:27 p.m.
Miss Height will introduce Mrs. Ford for remarks.
1:30 p.m.
Miss Height will conclude the luncheon and invite
guests to meet Mrs. Ford in a receiving line.
1:45 p.m.
DEPART National Housing Center enroute South Lawn
of White House.
1:50 p.m.
ARRIVE South grounds of White House.
Note: There will be press coverage
of your arrival, the luncheon and
departure. The brief period in which
you meet the head table guests will
be private.
FORD & GERALD LIBRARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
basic information
relating to the
Two-day symposium
on housing.
FORD & GERALD LIBRARY
invitation that
went to naH
ncnw
UNITY. SeLF ReLIance
presidents
naTIOnaL COUNCIL OF neGRO women, inc.
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
1346 CONNECTICUT AVE., N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
commitment.
TELEPHONE: 202/223-2363
August 13, 1974
Forty years ago, Mary McLeod Bethune, daughter of slave parents,
educator, and advisor to four Presidents of the United States, called for
women in all walks of life to close ranks and join hands in service to
themselves, their families, youth and their communities. Mary McLeod
Bethune's idea for uniting women to secure justice, the idea on which she
GERAL FORD UBRAAT
founded the National Council of Negro Women, never had more relevance than
in this day, when women throughout the nation are raising their collec-
tive voices demanding their rights as persons in all areas of life.
To fulfill this idea of unity of women, I have asked you, as
Presidents of major National Women's Organizations, to come together to
develop collective strategies concerning two basics of life - Shelter and
Food. As women carrying major national leadership responsibility, we
need to look at these dual areas of elementary survival, examine the
problems they present, and move toward their solutions.
It is for this purpose that you are invited to participate in a
meeting of Presidents of major National Women's Organizations on September
14 and 15 in Washington, D.C. Enclosed is the proposed agenda as well as
travel/hotel information and a list of invited Presidents. In addition
you will find some general information on housing and hunger.
As this may be the first time some of us have met together, I
am requesting from each President, information about your organization.
This can be either a statement, or brochure of your purposes, goals and
programs. We would appreciate receiving 100 copies prior to the meeting
for inclusion in each President's kit.
Let us consider the strength and combined resources of the
organizations this meeting represents and contemplate how our collective
action might be focused on these issues. There is much wrong with
society today and we want to talk about it. There is weakness in our
separateness as Women's Organizations, and we want to talk about that too.
FOUNDER: Mary McLeod Bethune
PRESIDENT: Dorothy I. Height
AFFILIATED WITH: National Council of Women of the United States
International Council of Women/National Assembly for Social Policy & Development
Contributions are deductible for income tax purposes
nenw
UNITY. self ReLIance
commitment
Let us view this coming together as a launching pad for unleashing the
full force of power created by WOMEN UNITED.
If this be the mood of participation, the time and sacrifice of
your coming will have been justified and the rewards to our constituents
and to America will be many and highly visible.
Come, therefore, as one with a mission.
Sincerely,
Dorothy I. Height
National President
DIH:cr
Enclosures
FORD is 079630 CIBRARY
agenda
NATIONAL PRESIDENTS' MEETING
NATIONAL HOUSING CENTER
15th and M Streets, N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20005
SEPTEMBER 14- the 15, 1974
TENTATIVE AGENDA
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
9:00 A. M.
The Call for Unity
Dorothy 1. Height
National President
National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
10:30 A. M.
Federal Policy, Women and Housing
Dr. Gloria E. A. Toote
Assistant Secretary
Office of Equal Opportunity
Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
11:00 A. M.
What Hits Women in the Mortgage MarketSteve Rhode
Center for National Policy Review
Catholic University
11:30 A. M.
Sister! Check Your Housing Rights
Ms. Carol Buris
President, Women's Lobby, Inc.
Ms. Margaret Gates
Co-Director, Center for
Women's Policy Studies
FORD LIBRARY
- Discussion time at conclusion of each presentation -
12:30 P. M.
Luncheon
2.00 P. M.
Women and Housing
A Project of the National Council of Negro Women
The Issues
The Documentation of Victims
The Development of Action Strategies
The Role of National Presidents
4 - 5:00 P. M. The Power of Women United
6:00 P. M.
Social Hour and Dinner
Dupont Plaza Hotel
8:00 P. M.
Evening of Interaction
Dupont Plaza Hotel
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1974
9:00 A. M. Social Impact of Hunger
Ms. Dorothy 1. Height
10:00
Hunger Food Crisis - Real or Imagined? Dr. James P. Carter
Meharry Medical School
11:30
Action Strategy Planning
Hunger - Food Crisis
(Small group sessions)
12:30
Luncheon
2:00
Action Strategy - Groups Continue
3:00
New Dimensions in Affiliate ParticipationMs. Ethel James Williams
Chief of the Division of
Equal Employment/Civil
Rights Compliance
Department of Human Resource
4:30
Departure
groups represented
PRESIDENTS OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND
THE PRESIDENTS' MEETING, SEPTEMBER 14-15, 1974
PARTIAL LIST
American Nurses Association
National Organization for Women
Young Women's Christian Association
General Federation of Women's Clubs
Church Women United
National Council of Jewish Women
Women's Equity Action League
National Clearing House on Women's Issues
National Council of Administrative Women in Education
Business and Professional Women
National Tenants Organization
League of Women Voters
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of Women Lawyers
Center for Women's Policy Study
National Association of Women's Deans and Administrators
National Association of Bank Women
National Women's Political Caucus
United Methodist Women
Women's Lobby, Inc.
National Conference of Puerto Rican Women
National Committee of Household Employees
Federation of Organization for Professional Women
Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen
GERATO R. FORD
International Ladies Garment Workers Union
District #1199 Hospital and Drug Workers Union, RWDSU
Hotel Workers Union
Amalgamated Clothing Workers
United Auto Workers
National Black Feminist Organization
American Women in Radio and T V
Interstate Association of Commissions, of the Status of Women
National Welfare Rights Organization
National Media Women
Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation
Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
National Association Black Women Attorneys
The Continentals Society, Inc.
National Council of Catholic Women
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Chi Eta Phi Sorority
CME Church Women's Missionary Council
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Eta Phi Beta Sorority
Grand Temple, Daughters of Elks
Las Amigas, Inc.
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority
Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority
National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers
National Council of Puerto Rican Volunteers
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Supreme Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star
Tau Gamma Delta Sorority
National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa
Women's Convention, Auxiliary to the National Baptist Convention, U.S.Ae, Inc.
Ladies' Auxiliary of the National Dental Association, Inc.
Women's Auxiliary, National Medical Association
Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, AME Zion Church
Women's Missionary Society, AME Church
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Woman's Missionary Council, CME Church
Mujeres Unidas
Comision Femenil Mexicana Nacional
American Advertising Federation, Women's Division
American Association of University Women
American Baptist Women
American Civil Liberties Union, Women's Rights Project
Stewardesses for Women's Rights
Women in Communications, Inc.
United Presbyterian Women
North American Indian Women's Association
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
this information
not "must" reading,
but provides
background on the
problems of women
and housing
WOMEN AND HOUSING
Information Sheet
AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME
WIELDS A TERRIFIC IMPACT
Mary McLeod Bethune's idea for uniting women to secure jus-
tice, the idea on which she founded the National Council of Negro
Women, never had more relevance than in this day when women through-
out the nation are raising their collective voices demanding their
rights as persons in all areas of life. Forty years ago this wise
daughter of slave parents, educator and advisor to four Presidents
of the United States called for women in all walks of life to close
ranks and join hands in service to themselves, their families, youth,
and their communities. To fulfill this idea of unity of women, the
NCNW is working through its varied programs to encompass those areas
of concern envisioned by this great woman.
The National Council of Negro Women is an organization with
an outreach to 4 million women, consisting of 25 national affiliate
member organizations, local sections in 42 states, and direct members.
Housing continues as an important part of NCNW's program.
The Council was a key team participant with HUD in developing the
Turnkey III Homeownership Opportunities program. This program pro-
vides a choice of homeownership rather than rental for families in
R.
SEPARA
FORD
public housing. Turnkey III is now a regular HUD program, housing
some 40,000 or more families.
LIBRARY
From this and our own life's experiences, the issue of dis-
crimination against women in the nation's housing market has come
into sharper focus. Sex discrimination is pervasive in every area
of the housing industry. It afflicts women in all walks of life,
ghetto dweller or suburbanite, renter or purchaser. Practically
every woman at some time in her life, regardless of her marital sta-
tus, will be or has been faced with some form of housing discrimina-
tion simply because she is a woman.
NCNW, under a contract with the Office of Equal Opportunity
of the Department of Housing and Urban Development will develop basic
research data on discriminatory practices against women in housing.
This project, called Women and Housing, is designed to research,
investigate and document the discrimination practiced against women
in their attempts to secure adequate dwellings for their families
and/or themselves. The data collected will be used by HUD's Equal
Opportunity Staff, the courts, legislative bodies, institutions and
others involved in expanding fair housing for women and educating
the public on the effects of discrimination.
One of the strengths of the NCNW consists in its ability
to act as a catalyst in lifting public awareness to issues affecting
women and their families at the community lèvel, identifying problems
and helping to provide for decision making and collective action.
2
The Women and Housing program embraces this concept. It
is planned to have one-day hearings in 5 cities with testimony re-
ceived from witnesses who have been denied their rights in housing
because of their sex. Each hearing will be followed by a two-day
workshop.
The cities and dates are:
1. Atlanta, Ga.
Nov. 8-10, 1974
2.
St. Louis, Mo.
Jan. 10-12, 1975
3. San Antonio, Texas
Feb. 7- 9, 1975
4. San Francisco, Calif.
Mar. 7-9,1975
5. New York, New York
Apr. 11-13, 1975
WOMEN AND HOUSING
The Purpose Of The Project
To gather, document, evaluate facts and circumstances relating
to restraints placed on women in urban-suburban settings of the
nation's housing market; and based thereon, make recommendations
pertinent to changes in Federal State laws, regulations and
practices to assure, through affirmative governmental action,
equal housing opportunities for women.
Mission Statement
To endeavor to sensitize a community in five selected cities in
different states to the problems of discriminatory practices
against women in Housing; those women who are defined by society
as being high risk since they do not have a male counterpart
are of all races and creeds; from different backgrounds, speak-
ing different languages. The project will facilitate the exami-
nation and understanding of the problem by sensitizing such a
community and abstract from the representatives of that commu-
nity, their reactions and statements by delineating the hard
facts and data about discriminatory practices against women in
the housing market.
Objectives
1. To gather documentary evidence of discriminatory laws, regu-
lations and practices against women in the housing market.
2. Maximize the channels of communication of individuals and
groups who have experienced discriminatory practices in
housing, by contacting and meeting with national and local
organizations concerned with these problems.
3. Raise the level of consciousness of the community as to the
pervasiveness and extent of the problem.
4. Provide opportunities through public hearings for complain-
ants and interest groups to air their grievances; provide
opportunities for officials to learn and understand the
dynamics of the problem.
3
5. Provide a forum for an interchange of problems, issues,
suggestions and recommendations as related to this issue.
Goals
1. Attain facts, figures, data and testimony which will iden-
tify the issues and problems.
2. Open up channels of communication between individuals and
groups with common problems and concerns.
3. Attain a measure of inter-group exchange in understanding
and perceiving the problems and issues.
4. To provide a forum whereby individual citizens and repre-
sentatives of a broad range of concerned groups can be heard.
5. Assure that persons heretofore not knowledgeable about the
problem and/or the extent of it will be given an opportunity
to learn.
6. Submit to the Department of Housing and Urban Development
a report that will encompass pertinent and necessary docu-
ments and material and recommendations for governmental
action. Such action may include changes and modifications
in laws, regulations and practices that will eliminate
discriminatory practices against women in housing.
Project Plan
R.
The program plan is based on a 120 day implementation schedule
GERALD
for each of the 5 cities. It takes 85 days to complete the
full cycle of work elements prior to each hearing and workshop,
and 35 days after the sessions for all reports and follow-up
work to be concluded. Simultaneously, research work on various
components of the project will be in progress.
AD HOC COMMISSIONS ON WOMEN AND HOUSING
The Purpose Of The Commissions
An important part of the project is centered around an ad hoc
Commission on Women and Housing, one in each city. This commu-
nity level base will provide the basic information source and
local public awareness function for the program. Each Commis-
sion will serve on a voluntary basis and represent a voice of
women in the local community.
Procedures For Convening The Commissions
Dr. Dorothy I. Height, National President of the National
Council of Negro Women convened a meeting of National Presidents
of women's organizations in Washington, D. C., on September 14-15,
1974. The conference outlined the objectives of the project,
the purpose of the Commission and presented plans for implemen-
tation locally. Each president was invited to name a organiza-
tional representative for the Commission in each of the five cities.
4
NCNW has representatives in each city called Local Conveners
who will be the coordinating persons for the Commissions at
the community level. They will be furnished with the names of
the representatives suggested by the National Presidents for
their respective cities. In addition, the Local Conveners
will provide suggestions for representation from key local
organizations that are not related to National Organizations.
Once the names have been submitted by the National Presidents,
the NCNW Local Convener will issue the invitations to the desig-
nated representatives to serve on the Commissions.
Time Required of Commission Members In Each City
There will be four commission meetings, three prior to the
hearing and workshop, and one following. The largest personal
investment of time (4 consecutive days) will occur during the
hearing week when Commission members presence will be expected
for the following:
The Hearing Week
1. A Commission meeting
2. A briefing meeting (Thursday evening)
3.
The Hearing (Friday all day)
4. A two-day workshop (Saturday & Sunday)
Staffing Structure
The project has three major teams in addition to NCNW head-
quarters staff. A member of the project staff will be present
at all Commission meetings.
Legal and Research Team: Responsible for the legal research
for the project as well as definition of issues for each city.
Hearing Team: Responsible for the conduct of the hearings,
identifying witnesses and facilitating the hearing day.
Workshop Team: Responsible for conducting a two-day workshop
for 100 women in each city.
Responsibilities of Commission Members
The Commission members will serve as volunteers and have respon-
sibility in four major areas:
1. Become aware of the issues related to discrimination
against women in housing as developed at each hearing;
to transmit such knowledge and proposed action, as
developed in the workshops, to their respective organi-
zations and their community.
2. Attendance at meeting:
(a) Commission meeting (4)
(b) Briefing meeting - evening prior to hearing (1)
(c) Hearing (one-day)
(d) Workshop (two-days)
5
3. Select Workshop Participants: The workshops following
the hearing day are designed to review the problems as
stated in the hearing, and develop action elements re-
lated to them for each community. The workshops will
consist of women, selected by the Commission to be
representative of their community. The participants
may include the Commission Members and witnesses, but
shall not exceed 100 in number. When the names have
been submitted by the Commission members, the NCNW
Local Convener will issue the invitations.
4. Evaluation report: An essential element of the program
will be an evaluative report from the Commission, indi-
vidually and as a group. Evaluation forms will be fur-
nished. The 4th Commission meeting, after the hearings
and workshops, will be devoted to such a report.
Continuation of Commission Activities
While it is expected that a collective and sustained effort of
work toward the solutions to problems of discrimination against
women in housing will evolve from the hearings and workshops,
the specific contractual obligations of this project in each
city ends 35 days after the workshop.
In view of the interest of the organizations and individuals
participating in this project and the renewed awareness built
upon the findings of this initial effort, it is hoped that work
toward positive action to eliminate discriminatory acts against
women in housing will continue in each community.
Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted
materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
30
THE SUN, Friday, January 25, 1974
C5
(Balti.
Md.
)
Women ton charge housing bias
By RICHARD BEN CRAMER
Annapolis Bureau of The Sun
Annapolis-About 20 women
packed a House committee
hearing yesterday to tell about
their trials in obtaining housing
-sex discrimination and the
single girl.
Simple arguments
Their testimony came in sup-
port of a bill prohibiting dis-
crimination on the basis of
marital status or sex, and they
punctuated their arguments
with personal housing horror
stories.
$20,000 cash refused
OF
FORD
ni
WHAT TO DO
The FHA manual now sets as basic standards such measures as
The course of remedial action to eliminate discrimination in
"circumstances indicating that such income may normally be ex-
home finance can begin at several levels.
pected to continue through the early period of the mortgage risk"
The National Commission on Consumer Finance recom-
and "confirmation of employment indicating good possibilities
mended that "States undertake an immediate and thorough re-
for continued employment."
view of the degree to which their laws inhibit the granting of
With regard to pregnancy, the manual states, "The principal
credit to credit-worthy women and amend them, where necessary,
element of mortgage risk in allowing the income of working
to assure that credit is not restricted because of a person's sex."
wives as effective income is the possibility of its interruption by
The Commission's report noted that its hearings "have caused
maternity leave. Most employers recognize this possibility and
many credit grantors to reexamine their policies with respect to
provide for maternity leave, with job retention, as an inducement
the existence of discrimination.
Competition among credit
of employment. With strong motives for returning to work, any
grantors would remedy many of the problems set forth."
failure to do so after maternity leave would probably be due to
There is at present no federal law which prohibits creditors
causes which would be unpredictable and would represent such
from discriminating on the basis of sex. There are several bills
a very small percentage of volume that it could be accepted as a
calculated risk."
pending in Congress, and an increasing number of states are
One of the more difficult areas involved the Veterans Admin-
enacting laws prohibiting sex discrimination, but many are "not
istration guaranteed loan program. Written standards in them-
comprehensive enough," according to Attorney Margaret J.
selves were restrictive and indicated that the wife's income
Gates. She and Jane R. Chapman, co-directors at the Center for
would be counted only in special cases. Thus, numerous inci-
Women Policy Studies, testified before the Joint Economic Com-
dents of affidavits swearing to the method of birth control used
mittee that the solution "may be more complicated" than the Na-
or the willingness to have an abortion in case pregnancy occurred
tional Commission on Consumer Finance predicted.
took place.
"These unconscionable invasions of privacy apparently were
They suggested that congressional hearings should be held to
prompted by the belief that such submissions were necessary to
determine if federal legislation is needed and how it should be
convince the VA to approve the loan," says William L. Taylor,
enforced. They also suggested that "More women must be con-
director, Center for National Policy Review.
vinced of the importance of establishing a credit record and
Last February, the VA issued a bulletin stating that it does not
maintaining it throughout life as a necessary step toward becom-
require nor condone the practice of soliciting statements on a
ing an independent economic entity."
woman's capacity to bear children or birth control plans.
Finally, they suggested that the credit industry maintain data
In September, field offices of the VA were notified that
a
to develop credit criteria and undertake research on the perform-
spouse's income would be counted equally with the veteran's in
ance of past accounts.
making determinations as to income.
To avoid the damage of association reputation and perhaps to
"The factor of reliability of spouse's income (the previous pol-
forestall more legislation in an already heavily regulated busi-
icy) led to a number of questions and minor problems as to inter-
ness, managers would do well to promote programs of affirma-
pretations of this, so we decided to eliminate it," a spokesman
tive action of their own.
said.
Verbal and written communication to loan officers is encour-
When the secondary market programs were being created and
aged. A program of checks should be maintained to determine if
their credit and property underwriting criteria formed, the Fed-
nondiscriminatory standards are being applied.
eral National Mortgage Association set a rule on counting the
Credit-scoring forms should be checked to ensure that they
wife's income at 50%. Several public interest groups banded to-
aren't discriminatory. Marketing programs can be aimed at
gether and held a meeting with FNMA officers.
women borrowers.
"Interestingly enough, at this meeting FNMA officials claimed
Financial institutions may discriminate against women, but the
that their 50% guideline was actually quite generous when com-
men at the top are not responsible, the president of the New
pared to the typical policy of mortgage lenders," says Rohde.
York State Bankers Association, Howard Cross, told the New
New regulations were issued in December 1971 with the fol-
York Assembly.
lowing language: "The key determination to be made is whether
"I know what our bank policy is, but I don't know whether it's
the circumstances reasonably indicate that the income, jointly or
carried out," he said.
severally, will continue in a manner sufficient to liquidate the
"The banking industry has not established performance stan-
debt under the terms of the note and mortgage."
dards for itself," Constance Cook, a Republican member of the
Rohde calls the language "vague" and capable of mis-
New York State Assembly, said. "Once having them, it must ef-
interpretation.
fectively enforce those standards. The business is being chal-
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, which con-
lenged more frequently now, and these challenges arise more out
sulted public interest groups during the drafting process, has
of its own inertia, I believe, than out of malice aforethought."
come up with regulations Rohde calls "satisfactory."
Characterizing the growing consciousness of women, espe-
The guideline reads: "If there are two borrowers, both of
cially in the field of credit, Gates says, "I think the movement is
whom have full-time employment, a determination should be
growing to mammoth proportions. Two years ago most women
made as to whether both will probably work for several years
assumed that this was the correct order of things. Now we get
(normally at least 20% of the mortgage term)." The possibility of
hundreds of letters from even unexpected sources."
temporary leave, such as maternity leave, is not a basis for dis-
NOW does not believe that women ought to be granted credit
counting any portion of the borrower's income.
merely because they are women, says Campbell. "It is not impor-
Rohde emphasizes that how the agencies actually implement
tant that women obtain credit in order to spend more money. But
in practice the policies they have adopted on paper and in their
it is important that women obtain credit to establish themselves
public statements will be a determinant of the success of the
alongside men as adult individuals in the credit world."
programs.
Noting the new development in payment systems, the ability
to transact business without having money change hands, Arthur
C. Kellman, chairman of the Commission on Human Rights of
the city of White Plains, N. Y., testified that "The banking indus-
try cannot have it both ways. They cannot, on the one hand, pro-
mote the use of credit as a way of life and, on the other hand,
withhold or restrict credit from an entire class of people a
class, incidentally, which spends, or controls the spending of, the
greater portion of family income."
Woman
11111 with lil and ie.
Married woman
------------------------- responsible name because debts.he was
although income than divorced the her mortgage two monthly car.s, eight payments wouls were years,
(over)
A CASE FOR QUESTIONING
LOANS TO WOMEN:
LENDING CRITERIA
SAVINGS & LOAN NEWS, JANUARY 1974
Policy is changing.
"Despite modern trends and moderate industry efforts toward
Is practice catching up?
self-reform, discrimination against women continues today due
to the failure or refusal of the various segments of the credit in-
Sharyn Campbell had to sign away her maternity rights to get a
dustry to re-examine their assumptions and respond to the in-
mortgage.
creasingly vocal demands of women consumers across the na-
To receive a car loan of $800, she had to have her unemployed
tion," Campbell testified before Sullivan's committeee.
student husband co-sign, and the loan was issued in his name.
"During the last two years women have become more sensitive
Two department stores would not issue credit cards to her in
to the fact that, because of their sex and/or marital status, they
her own name.
encounter numerous problems when applying for credit accounts
When she wanted to buy a home in the $40,000 price range,
and residential mortgage loans," she said.
which would have required counting the joint income of the
Campbells, the mortgage broker suggested she submit an affida-
Among these cases Campbeil cited:
vit on the method of birth control she was using to ensure ap-
Kathryn Kirschbaum, mayor of Davenport, Iowa, was denied a
proval by the Veterans Administration. She refused and instead
BankAmericard because her application did not have the sig-
agreed to sign a sworn affidavit that she wouldn't have any
nature of her husband. She didn't think it was necessary.
children.
A married couple applying for a mortgage with an income ade-
Sharyn Campbell is an attorney. So, currently, is her husband.
quate for the loan was told the wife's income could not be
She is also the coordinator of the National Task Force on
counted because she was still in her childbearing years this,
Credit of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
despite her steady eight-year employment history and her four
months accrued sick leave, which could be used in the event of a
And she believes that the number of women who have experi-
enced discrimination in lending and resented it is large.
difficult pregnancy. (No children, however, were planned.)
Most managing officers of financial institutions will deny that
A single woman and her male colleague, both earning the
they discriminate.
same salary, applied for a travel and entertainment card at the
But what is often a matter of policy may not necessarily be a
same time. Although the man had an eight-month work history
matter of practice, as would be indicated by the growing number
and the woman a one-year work history, the man received his
card within six weeks and the woman was turned down with the
of women registering their woes with organizations such as
NOW, testifying in Congress or spewing their stories to the
explanation of "insufficient length of employment."
press. Names of financial institutions are being used, and suits
A Virginia editorial assistant with a larger income than her
husband's was told that her income could be considered in deter-
are being brought in court.
The $15 billion deposit Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co.,
mining their eligibility for a mortgage only if she and her hus-
New York, has been sued for allegedly discriminating on the
band could prove that (a) she was not just a secretary with no ca-
basis of sex or marital status in its mortgage lending policies. In
reer potential; (b) they were practicing birth control; (c) her hus-
New Jersey, $199 million deposit Franklin State Bank agreed to a
band would agree to an abortion should she become pregnant
consent decree under which the bank promises to treat married
anyway; (d) she would agree to her husband's vasectomy should
persons on the same basis as single persons when making unse-
she have to discontinue taking birth control pills.
cured loans.
The pattern of discrimination was summarized by the report of
the National Commission on Consumer Finance in December
In a policy statement issued early last month, the Federal
1972:
Home Loan Bank Board became the first of the financial regu-
latory agencies to take action. It conceded that discrimination on
(1) Single women have more trouble obtaining credit than
the basis of sex or marital status is not specifically prohibited by
single men. (This appeared to be more characteristic of mortgage
the Civil Rights Act, but that it may in fact violate the equal pro-
credit than of consumer credit.)
tection guarantee of the Constitution as well as "impede the
(2) Creditors generally require a woman upon marriage to
achievement of the objectives of federal laws intended to pro-
reapply for credit, usually in her husband's name. Similar reap-
mote sound, economical home financing.
plication is not asked of men when they marry.
The Board also frowned upon the practice of considering only
(3) Creditors are often unwilling to extend credit to a married
woman in her own name.
the income of the primary wage earner, favoring, instead, "un-
derwriting which reasonably evaluates the credit-worthiness of
(4) Creditors are often unwilling to count the wife's income
when a married couple applies for credit.
each applicant based on a realistic appraisal of his or her own
(5) Women who are divorced or widowed have trouble re-es-
past, present and foreseeable economic circumstances. The de-
tablishing credit. Women who are separated have a particularly
termination as to whether primary income or additional income
difficult time, since accounts may still be in the husband's name.
qualifies as effective for credit purposes should depend upon
whether such income may reasonably be expected to continue
MORTGAGE DISCRIMINATION
through the early period of the mortgage risk.
Specifically in mortgage lending, charges of discrimination are
"Automatically discounting all or part of the income of a
not difficult to document. They seem to be rooted not so much in
working wife, or other income from bonuses, overtime, or part-
time employment, will cause some applicants to be denied fi-
malice as in long-standard business practice.
nancing without a realistic analysis of their credit-worthiness,"
Few empirical studies of prevalent practices exist, but one
the Board said.
piece of data appeared in a study done by the Federal Home
Loan Bank Board two years ago. In one question, associations
TURN ON THE LIGHT
were asked what credit they would allow for a working wife's in-
Discriminatory practices in lending against women were
come if she were age 25, had two school-age children and
brought to national attention in May 1972 when the National
worked full-time as a secretary.
Commission on Consumer Finance, a bipartisan body created by
Some public interest groups felt the question was loaded be-
the Consumer Protection Act to study consumer credit, held its
cause the children were of school age and the wife had a full-
hearings.
time job which had required some degree of training. Judging by
Rep. Leonor K. Sullivan (D, Mo.) sat on the Commission and
responses to some of the other questions, the associations chosen
"found that a thoroughly convincing case was made by the wit-
for the survey had relatively liberal lending policies as measured
nesses that discrimination against women was at that time wide-
by their willingness to participate in federal subsidy and insur-
spread throughout the credit industry. Much of it was based on
ance programs.
plain, ordinary stupidity by credit office personnel rigidly apply-
Nevertheless, 25% of the respondents said they would count
ing standards of credit-worthiness based on outmoded concepts
none of the wife's income, well over half reported they would
of women's role in the economy."
count 50% or less of the income and 22% indicated they would
Sullivan allowed that some state laws still in effect (dealing
give full credit to her income.
with alimony, support, community property) were also at fault.
Testimony given before government committees and the re-
"As a result of the hearings, many major creditors identified as
marks of association executives illustrate the credit problems of
maintaining archaic and indefensible policies in refusing credit to
married women. So does underwriting theory.
women in their own names began to restudy and revise their pol-
The textbook used to train many lending officers in the busi-
icies," she said.
ness, Lending Principles and Practices, suggests the following in a
Last fall, Sullivan was again presiding at hearings, this time as
credit analysis: "If the wife works, her income is another uncer-
head of the House Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, which
tain factor, depending upon her age, type of employment and the
held hearings on the 85 recommendations of the Commission.
number and ages of any children. Even if she can be expected to
continue working, expenses arising from her employment such
as housekeepers, transportation and additional taxes - should be
deducted."
over
Other facets of implementation were variously delineated by
Elaborating, Abzug said, "Well over 40% of American families
assocation officers in interviews conducted just before the Board
have both husband and wife working. Married women with no
issued its policy statement on sex discrimination.
children are likely to be in the labor force: 72% of all childless
"Our major concern is the consideration of the age of the wife,
wives between the ages of 20 and 24 and two-thirds of those be-
family status, number of children, their ages and the responsi-
tween the ages of 25 and 34. Half of all married women with
bilities in the future. An important factor is the stability potential
school-age children are in the labor force."
for the maintenance of the income, particularly where credit is
Testifying in Congress about the concern of lenders with fam-
tight," says Thomas F. Greuling, senior vice president, Home
ily planning, Sharyn Campbell said, "If a married couple decides
Federal Savings, Chicago.
that one party should terminate employment to raise children
"We would be concerned about making a loan when the wife
and that their mortgage payments could not be supported by one
is the primary breadwinner and in the first three to five years of
salary, it seems safe to assume that they will take appropriate
marriage," he added.
measures to meet or reduce expenses before the baby is born and
"We look at the overall picture, at the stability of the major
one income is discontinued. In any event, there are many people
wage earner," says Elizabeth Graham, executive vice president,
to whom parenthood and profession are not mutually exclusive.
Pee Dee Federal, Marion, S.C.
"Creditors must reexamine or merely disregard their assump-
If a woman is of childbearing age, Pee Dee Federal counts 40%
tions about women. It is not within the proper realm of credit
to 50% of her income.
evaluation to determine the future life choices of virtual
"We're more conservative here," Graham says.
strangers."
In Albuquerque, N. M., American Savings counts all of a
Another outmoded concept is that women whose marriages
wife's income if she has worked at least five years.
have ended are poor credit risks.
"The only time we count 50% is when a girl 19 to 20 years old
"Lenders cannot justify their discrimination against divorced
who has only worked a year applies for a loan with her hus-
or separated women or widows by claiming that their incomes
band," says Senior Vice President Mary E. Michael. "We would
decline or they do not work as long as men," said Abzug.
treat a man with those qualifications in the same manner."
From Labor Department statistics, she added, "Divorced
In 1971, the Washington Post surveyed many mortgage lenders
women who are working at age 35 can be expected to work an-
regarding the consideration of the wife's income and found that
other 29 years. A widow working at age 35 can expect to work
"In recent marriages (less than five years) or when the wife has
for another 27 years. These women work out of economic neces-
been working only a short time, no recognition is given to the
sity. As of March 1971, 70% of all divorcees, including those who
wife's income. Also, with young married couples, no matter what
were not family heads, and 50% of all separated women were in
their background, the wife's income is not recognized.
the labor force. In fact, divorced women with pre-school children
"If the wife is classified as a professional and between the ages
had twice the labor force participation of married women."
of 26 and 35, a lender may give half credit to her income. Over
Witness after witness before the Congressional Joint Economic
35 years, it is customary to give full credit. If the wife is in a non-
Committee testified that lenders do not seem to comprehend the
professional occupation, usually no allowance is made for her in-
important economic role played by women in many families.
come up to age 35, half allowance between 35 and 42, and full
Public policies and business practice are still based on the as-
credit beyond that age."
sumption that only a minority of women work outside the home
Divorced or widowed women also run into problems.
and that those who do are working primarily for "pin money."
"If alimony is the only income, it's a little more touchy; but on
Most people think a woman works for only a few years of her
occasion we have made the loan," says Aggie Angerer, branch
life to afford a little extra. However, the average time of employ-
manager, First Federal Savings, Phoenix.
ment is now 25 years.
She tells of women who come to her office with a chip on their
Five million families in this country are headed by women, and
shoulder.
many middle- and low-income families rely on the woman's in-
"They say we probably won't give them the loan because
come. Three-fourths of all the women who work have either no
they've been turned down so often," says Angerer. "We have to
husband or a husband whose income is under $7,000.
change their thinking."
"In fact, the lower- and middle-income families most need to
Even single women, whose number in the ranks of home-
count the wife's income in order to enjoy the tax advantages and
owners swells yearly, have some difficulty getting loans.
benefits in community stability and community identification as-
"In the case of a single woman, we weigh the factor of her. abil-
sociated with home ownership," Senator Brock told the Housing
ity to meet maintenance requirements in the case of making a
Subcommittee.
home - as opposed to a condominium loan," says Greuling.
Sen. Bill Brock (R, Tenn.) asked in Senate testimony: "How
NO RELATIONSHIP
many otherwise credit-worthy single men, when applying for a
Of the few studies done in the field, not one relates a wife's
home loan, have ever been questioned about their carpentry,
income to mortgage delinquency or foreclosure risk. A study by
plumbing or electrical ability? The assumption that men could
Leon Kendall for the U.S. League, Anatomy of the Residential Mort-
perform these tasks while women could not is just the sort of dis-
gage Market, 1964, indicates that as the percentage of family in-
crimination based on sex that we are talking about. A judgment
come earned by the husband decreased, the likelihood of a loan
based on the ability of either applicant of either sex to pay for
being delinquent decreased slightly.
necessary maintenance would be much more to the point."
A 1970 study by John Herzog and James Earley for the Na-
tional Bureau of Economic Research, New York, Home Mortgage
ON WHAT BASIS?
Delinquency and Foreclosure, found no demonstrable relationship
Many of the solutions to the problem of discrimination lie in
between marital status and mortgage loan risk.
the careful study of the principles of underwriting. One of the
The study showed that loans, if they are defaulted, default in
more inexact sciences, lending is based on criteria established on
the first five years of marriage, especially in the second through
past experience. For that reason, perhaps, new trends do not take
fifth years.
effect quickly enough. In the woman's fast changing role in soci-
"If I were a lender, I would have to draw the conclusion from
ety, the obsolescence of traditional lending criteria can become
this report that I should not be so concerned with the long-term
particularly glaring.
employment pattern of women but with the short-term credit-
Some lending criteria, in fact, have been attacked not only for
worthiness of this particular loan or mortgage applicant," says
being socially outmoded, but for promoting a "cobweb of myths"
Steven M. Rohde of the Center for National Policy Review, a pri-
unsupported by research on statistical risks.
vately funded organization concerned with civil rights and urban
One outmoded concept is that single women will get married
problems. The center is based at Catholic University of America
and stop working.
Law School in Washington, D.C.
Citing U.S. Department of Labor figures and the New York
Adds Bella Abzug: "It is interesting to note that beyond the
Times, Rep. Bella Abzug (D, N. Y.) noted that "Most single
proverbial three Cs character, capacity and collateral the
women are employed. Although many of these women will even-
lending institutions have not shown much hard data about their
tually marry, that decision is being postponed. In 1960, 28% of all
criteria of credit-worthiness nor have they specified what is the
women between the ages of 20 and 24 had never been married.
chief determinant of poor risk loans."
By 1970, this figure increased to 37%. If this woman remains
One of the big obstacles toward fair treatment of women, and
single, she can expect to work longer than the average man."
especially wives, in the mortgage lending field has been the pol-
Another assumption is that married women get pregnant and
icy of government agencies.
leave the work force.
Until 1965, the Federal Housing Administration did not count
Quoting from Census Bureau data, Abzug told the Subcom-
the wife's income when insuring home loans.
mittee on Consumer Affairs of the House Banking and Currency
Then the policy was changed to what Rohde termed "a beacon
Committee that "Women between the ages of 18 and 24 expect
of light," especially because it "takes pains not to discriminate
to have only 2.1 births. The length of time between the first and
against younger couples, where discrimination against women
subsequent births is declining from the 1965 average span of
has generally been most severe because of the increased likeli-
from two and one-half to three years.
hood that the wife might get pregnant."
"Thus we can see that young wives are having fewer children,
closer together in age. In addition, many mothers of pre-
schoolers are staying on the job. In 1969, 44% of all mothers with
children under the age of six were working."
QUESTIONS FOR THE FIRST LADY:
1) Could you give me your personal views on good health
practices that you believe or feel are essential both
individually and for the maintenance of good family health?
2) How do emotional needs and emotional problems affect
health in your judgment; and how do you feel they should be
faced and handled?
FORD & GERALD LIBRA
#) At your first press conference, Mrs. Ford,
you stated your interest in children -- the underprivileged and
retarded. You also stated your continuing interest in the
arts. Have you any plans for using the arts for underprivileged
and retarded children as a means of stimulus to fulfill
Do you have in
their emotional needs and expand their horizons?
mind a special program for teaching the arts to these children?
4) What are some of the national health problems you would
like to see attacked?
5) What are the health needs world-wide that you believe
should get immediate attention?
6. In many families, meal times are battlegrounds; but
in your family, they appear to be a time for communication and
exchanges where differences are aired but never in a quarrelsome
way. How have you achieved this?
7.What do you advise for the emotional well-being of the
family as well as for physical health?
8. Have you ever had a weight problem?
nancy
MRS. FORD
Sept. 12, 1974
6 p.m.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, Sept. 14, 1974
Luncheon organized by National Council of Negro Women
12:30 p.m. - approx. 2 p.m.
Dress: street dress
Advanceperson: p. matson
12:25 p.m.
DEPART South Lawn via motorcade enroute to
National Housing Center, 15th and M Sts. NW.
You will be accompanied in your car
by Stan Scott, special assistant to the
President.
12:30 p.m.
ARRIVE National Housing Center.
You will be met by Miss Dorothy
Height, president of the National
Council of Negro Women. She will
escort you inside to a holding room
in which the other head table guests
will be assembled.
Other head table guests include:
GERALD all P: FORD
Dr. Gloria Toote, Assistant Secretary -HUD - for
Equal Opportunity
Mrs. Ruth Hurd Minor, Vice President, Natl Council
Mrs. Maida Kemp, Vice President of Natl Council
Mrs. Dorothea Tolson, Vice President of Natl Council
Dr. Mary O. Ross, President - Natl Baptist Women
Mr. Burton Wood, Natl Assoc of Home Builders official
Others in the room include Miss Ruth Sykes and Mrs.
Dorothy Duke, assistants to Miss Height.
12:35 p.m.
Head table group proceeds into luncheon room.
12:40 p.m.
Dr. Mary O. Ross will offer the benediction and
lunch will begin.
1:10 p.m.
Miss Height will make introductions and opening
remarks.
1:20 p.m.
Miss Height will introduce Burton Wood, who will
welcome guests to his organization's building.
1:22 p.m.
Miss Height will introduce Dr. Toote for remarks.
1:27 p.m.
Miss Height will introduce Mrs. Ford for remarks.
1:30 p.m.
Miss Height will conclude the luncheon and invite
:
guests to meet Mrs. Ford in a receiving line.
1:45 p.m.
DEI PART National Housing Center enroute South Lawn
of White House.
1:50 p.m.
ARRIVE South grounds of White House.
Note: There will be press coverage
of your arrival, the luncheon and
departure. The brief period in which
you meet the head table guests will
be private.
BACKGROUNDER on Natl Council of Negro Women event
This group represents the top women's volunteer organizations
in the country -- everything from the General Federation of
Women's Clubs to the American Nurses Association to church
groups and sororities.
There will be from 100-125 women, predominantly black. Most
are presidents or top executive officers of their groups. Their
age range is 20 - 80, but most are in 40s and 50s.
They are meeting for two days to discuss primarily womens
problems in housing -- discrimination, etc -- but they are also
touching on related problems of food, credit, etc.
You may know that this invitation resulted from the President's
contact with Dorothy Height, president of the Natl Council, when
he dedicated the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial in Lincoln
Square this spring MMB was the founder of the Natl Council
and a strong figure in black history -- this is her Memorial Year,
and it may come up in coversation. Miss Height will be sitting
next to you at the luncheon and greeting you upon arrival.
On your other side will be Dr. Gloria Toote, a Republican and
the highest black woman in government. She is assistant secretary
at HUD for equal opportunities and has been a friend of this
administration.
* This is the first time a conference like this has ever been held --
first time this magnitude.
The luncheon will be held in the new headquarters building of the
National Association of Home Builders -- the first time an outside
group has used it.
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
p.
Jaymon
matson
SUGGESTIONS for remarks
This is not a formal speech situation, and a few brief words
will be very appropriate. The only thing I might mention is
the
group's aversion to the subject of "voluntarism" as
such. Although they represent groups that undertake many worthy
projects on a volunteer basis, the word "volunteer" has apparently
become somewhat of a dirty word in that many black women feel
they have been taken advantage of in a volunteer capacity.
I would suggest something along these lines
- commending individuals for the work each of them do
- stressing how much good these same individuals do in a united,
group effort such as this
and how dependent progress in this
country is on people like them.
(Stan Scott specifically suggested commending Gloria Toote if possible)
For example
First of all, I have to say how impressed I am by the work all of
you do as individuals. Each of you here has a very important sphere
of influence, has an important affect in providing leadership in your
area, and other areas that touch it. The president of the National
Council, Dorothy Height, and the national reputation she has attained
Dr. Gloria Toote and the outstanding work she has done in her job
at HUD. There are many
As individuals, you have much to be
proud of.
But perhaps the most important thing about your conference is the fact
that all of you here are emphasizing the idea of unity of women --
that you are concentrating on combining your abilities and your power.
You are making it your responsibility to turn outside your smaller
areas of interest and concentrate on some of these broader problems
that affect all of us as women.
This is the only way real progress occurs in our country. I am grateful
for what you are doing and support you. And my husband, who was
very impressed with the idea and leadership of your two-day conference,
sends his support as well.
Thank you for asking me to be a part.
PJM
Carolyn
MRS. FORD
Sept. 12, 1974
6 p.m.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, Sept. 14, 1974
Luncheon organized by National Council of Negro Women
12:30 p.m. - approx. 2 p.m.
Dress: street dress
Advanceperson: p. matson
12:25 p.m.
DEPART South Lawn via motorcade enroute to
National Housing Center, 15th and M Sts. NW.
You will be accompanied in your car
by Stan Scott, special assistant to the
President.
12:30 p.m.
ARRIVE National Housing Center.
You will be met by Miss Dorothy
Height, president of the National
Council of Negro Women. She will
escort you inside to a holding room
in which the other head table guests
will be assembled.
LIBRARY GERAID
Other head table guests include:
Dr. Gloria Toote, Assistant Secretary -HUD for
Equal Opportunity
Mrs. Ruth Hurd Minor, Vice President, Natl Council
Mrs. Maida Kemp, Vice President of Natl Council
Mrs. Dorothea Tolson, Vice President of Natl Council
Dr. Mary O. Ross, President - Natl Baptist Women
Mr. Burton Wood, Natl Assoc of Home Builders official
Others in the room include Miss Ruth Sykes and Mrs.
Dorothy Duke, assistants to Miss Height.
12:35 p.m.
Head table group proceeds into luncheon room.
12:40 p.m.
Dr. Mary O. Ross will offer the benediction and
lunch will begin.
1:10 p.m.
Miss Height will make introductions and opening
remarks.
1:20 p.m.
Miss Height will introduce Burton Wood, who will
welcome guests to his organization's building.
1:22 p.m.
Miss Height will introduce Dr. Toote for remarks.
1:27 p.m.
Miss Height will introduce Mrs. Ford for remarks.
1:30 p.m.
Miss Height will conclude the luncheon and invite
:
guests to meet Mrs. Ford in a receiving line.
1:45 p.m.
DEPART National Housing Center enroute South Lawn
of White House.
1:50 p.m.
ARRIVE South grounds of White House.
Note: There will be press coverage
of your arrival, the luncheon and
departure. The brief period in which
you meet the head table guests will
be private.
BACKGROUNDER on Natl Council of Negro Women event
This group represents the top women's volunteer organizations
in the country - - everything from the General Federation of
Women's Clubs to the American Nurses Association to church
groups and sororities.
There will be from 100-125 women, predominantly black. Most
are presidents or :top executive officers of their groups. Their
age range is 20 - 80, but most are in 40s and 50s.
They are meeting for two days to discuss primarily womens
problems in housing - - discrimination, etc - -- but they are also
touching on related problems of food, credit, etc.
You may know that this invitation resulted from the President's
contact with Dorothy Height, president of the Natl Council, when
he dedicated the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial in Lincoln
Square this spring 1 MMB was the founder of the Natl Council
d
FORD
and a strong figure in black history -- this is her Memorial Year,
and it may come up in coversation. Miss Height will be sitting
GE
LIBRARY
next to you at the luncheon and greeting you upon arrival.
On your other side will be Dr. Gloria Toote, a Republican and
the highest black woman in government. She is assistant secretary
at HUD for equal opportunities and has been a friend of this
administration.
* This is the first time a conference like this has ever been held --
first time this magnitude.
The luncheon will be held in the new headquarters building of the
National Association of Home Builders -- the first time an outside
group has used it.
p. matson
SUGGESTIONS for remarks
This is not a formal speech situation, and a few brief words
will be very appropriate. The only thing I might mention is
the
group's aversion to the subject of "voluntarism" as
such. Although they represent groups that undertake many worthy
projects on a volunteer basis, the word "volunteer" has apparently
become somewhat of a dirty word in that many black women feel
they have been taken advantage of in a volunteer capacity.
I would suggest something along these lines
- commending individuals for the work each of them do
- stressing how much good these same individuals do in a united,
group effort such as this
and how dependent progress in this
country is on people like them.
(Stan Scott specifically suggested commending Gloria Toote if possible)
For example
First of all, I have to say how impressed I am by the work all of
you do as individuals. Each of you here has a very important sphere
of influence, has an important affect in providing leadership in your
area, and other areas that touch it. The president of the National
Council, Dorothy Height, and the national reputation she has attained
Dr. Gloria Toote and the outstanding work she has done in her job
at HUD. There are many
As individuals, you have much to be
proud of.
But perhaps the most important thing about your conference is the fact
that all of you here are emphasizing the idea of unity of women --
that you are concentrating on combining your abilities and your power.
You are making it your responsibility to turn outside your smaller
areas of interest and concentrate on some of these broader problems
that affect all of us as women.
This is the only way real progress occurs in our country. I am grateful
for what you are doing and support you. And my husband, who was
very impressed with the idea and leadership of your two-day conference,
sends his support as well.
Thank you for asking me to be a part.
PJM