The 1905 Niagara Movement meeting, which would later evolve into the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, did not include women. However, in 1906, to “support” the men, Niagara Movement co-founder WEB DuBois blessed a group of handpicked women in Baltimore to start an auxiliary group to work with and “support” the activities of Dubois and the members of the local branch of the Niagara Movement in their fight to address the social, political, and economic injustices faced by African Americans, male and female.
In January 1906, the chosen women —Margaret Hawkins, Eva Jenifer, Minnie Gaines, Lelia Waller, and Caroline Cook —established The Dubois Circle. The Circle founders were accomplished women married to accomplished men.
Initially, the organization focused on pursuing literary studies as its primary purpose. Meetings frequently focused on topics related to art and culture. Each month, they would examine a thought-provoking topic or bring in a guest speaker to discuss relevant issues affecting African Americans worldwide.
Members met monthly in their homes, mainly located on Druid Hill Avenue and the surrounding streets. In May, the DuBois Circle held its 119th annual closing meeting with a plated meal at Martin’s West in Metro Baltimore.
The guest speaker was Helen Pitts Miller, a former state representative in the US state of Iowa. In keeping with the topical nature of their meetings, the attorney spoke about Constitutional Rights, including parts aiming at Blacks that Donald Trump wants to alter.
Note; An excerpt form Miller's book, "I Can't Swim" appears in the next issue of Port of Harlem.
