Black women in the higher education community need a variety of resources and networks to foster their professional development and advocate for their presence and prosperity in the academy. To help meet that need, 13 visionary women, meeting in Albany, New York, founded the Association of Black Women in Higher Education, Inc. (ABWHE) in 1978.
ABWHE is committed to aiding Black women in the academy in fulfilling their own aspirations as well as to encourage Black youth to pursue their education.
Since its inception, ABWHE has served as a forum for development strategies to improve the quality of education of Black people, with particular emphasis on encouraging Black youth to take full advantage of available educational opportunities.
ABWHE’s mission is to:
- Promote the intellectual growth and educational development of Black women in higher education;
- Strive to eliminate racism, sexism, classism and other social barriers that hinder Black women in higher education from achieving their full potential;
- Communicate the history of personal and professional achievements of Black women in higher education in order to preserve and increase the presence and place of Black women and men in higher education;
- Provide academic and social mentoring for Black youth in order to ensure the participation and success of future generations of Blacks in higher education; and
- Utilize our talents, strengths and expertise to advance our vision of social justice.
ABWHE seeks to fulfill its mission of celebrating the historic and present achievement of Black women by providing an array of services to its members, including:
- Hosting international, national and regional conferences that serve as forums for the dissemination of information of interest to faculty, staff, and students in the academy, and that serve as wonderful opportunities for networking with colleagues;
- Publishing a newsletter that includes news of special interest to black women in the higher education community; and
- Advocating for systemic changes that will remove barriers that impede the progress of blacks and other groups who have been marginalized or discriminated against.
ABWHE members seek “to lift as we climb,” and we need your help and support. If you would like more information about ABWHE , please contact us at:
P.O. Box 210
Princeton, NJ 08542-0210
Membership Categories
Professional: For currently employed faculty, staff or administrators at any institution of higher learning.
Student: For currently enrolled full-time or part-time students in an accredited institution of higher education.
Retired: For persons who have held active membership in ABWHE and have retired or are no longer employed.
Institutional: For higher education institutions and agencies or organizations affiliated with postsecondary education.
A maximum of four individuals may be designated as institutional representatives.
ABWHE's membership year is from July 1 - June 30
Membership Dues
Submit a check or money order payable to ABWHE and mail to:
ABWHE
P.O. Box 210
Princeton, NJ 08542-0210
One year $50
Two years $75
Student/ Retired $25
Institutional $175
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