The National Coalition of 100 Black Women was founded on October 24, 1981, in response to the New York Coalition’s nationwide call to develop a leadership forum for professional black women representing the public and private sectors. Following this call, a network was established to meet the professional needs of the contemporary black woman, her community needs, and her access to mainstream America. The organization is involved in economic development, health, employment, education, housing, voting, the arts, and other issues. It encourages leadership development for black women, role-model programs, guidance for teenage mothers, and networking opportunities between the organization and the political and corporate world. Currently there are over six thousand members in sixty chapters representing twenty-five states and the District of Columbia.