National Council of Negro Women celebrates new Wilmington section

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A new chapter in community leadership began in southeastern North Carolina on Saturday as the National Council of Negro Women’s Coastal Wilmington Section celebrated its official charter.

At the Skyline Center in Wilmington, a new chapter in Black women’s leadership took center stage. The celebration, “Justice, Joy & Jubilee: Chartered, Crowned & Celebrated,” marked the official chartering of the Coastal Wilmington Section of the National Council of Negro Women.

Founded in 1935 by educator and civil rights leader Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, NCNW has spent decades empowering women and strengthening communities through education, advocacy, health initiatives, and civic engagement.

The Coastal Wilmington Section began its local journey with its first chartering meeting in December 2024 at historic St. Stephen’s AME Church.

Now serving Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender counties, the section is building on that legacy through community service, advocacy, education, and leadership development.

President Debra Darcelle Gill says one of her biggest priorities is making sure young people have the support and guidance they need to succeed.

“I’m excited about the young people. They need guidance, and they need someone to respect, and they need to be respected, too,” Gill said. “But I think having a partnership with younger people to let them know we’re here for them.”