The Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. (WBWPC), the brainchild of Alice C. Scott and Joan Mosley, was founded in 1976. The founding members were determined to expose and fulfill pivotal roles for black women in Westchester County politics. For over 42 years, the WBWPC has been vital in promoting the inclusion of African Americans; women in particular, in all phases of the political process. The WBWPC is a five-chapter, multi-partisan, political organization with chapters in Greenburgh – White Plains, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Greater Peekskill Area and Yonkers.

P.O. Box 213
Elmsford, New York 10523
wbwpc.org
Email: info@wbwpc.org
Phone: (914) 345-3544

The Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus (WBWPC) project and pursue causes or persons supportive of socio-economics and the political advancement of black women worldwide.

Many of our Caucus members are district leaders, state committee members, convention delegates, appointed commissioners, party chairs as well as community organizers. Since its inception in 1976, the WBWPC has had the distinction of supporting members who have become ‘the first’ as elected officials in Westchester County. These ‘first’ have included county legislators, a comptroller, city/town council members, city/town clerks, majority leaders and most recently the Honorable NYS Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins was named the NYS Senate Democratic Conference Leader, the first female legislative conference leader in New York State history.

The Caucus is proud of all their members who hold/held elected office, which includes in addition to NYS Sen. Stewart Cousins, former NYS Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson; former County Legislator Pearl Quarles who was the first black woman appointed as a County Legislator; Vice Chair to the Westchester County Board of Legislators, County Legislator Alfreda Williams who holds the seat formerly held by Hon. Lois Bronz, who was also a member and was the first black and first woman County Board Chair, both of whom were also firsts as well in the Town of Greenburgh, Lois was the first black Town Councilwoman and Alfreda was the first black Town Clerk; former Town Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes; Mount Vernon City Council President Lisa Copeland; Yonkers City Councilperson Shanae Williams and so many, many others. Of note are former members Hon. Judge Kathie E. Davidson, Supervising Judge of Family Courts in the 9th Judicial District of Westchester County, Hon. Arlene Gordon-Oliver of the same court, Hon. Judge Janet Malone of the NYS Supreme Court, 9th District; as well as Town of Greenburgh Judge Delores Brathwaite.  All were members until election to judicial office precluded them from maintaining membership.

Over the years, the WBWPC has been involved in numerous community-based and political projects… 

• For over 37 years, the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. has a long-standing tradition of holding the Sunday morning conference breakfast of the NYS Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc.  The 300+ breakfast attendees represent various unions with strongholds in New York State as well as many key political officials and community leaders.  Honorees have been African-American women and men who have made valuable contributions to their respective communities or their chosen profession through a variety of endeavors, such as politics, business, health and human/community services, education, religion and support of the unions.  A few of the past recipients have been Honorable Alexis M. Herman, 23rd U.S. Secretary of Labor, under President Bill Clinton; Catherine LeBlanc, former Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities under President Bill Clinton; Honorable David Patterson former NYS Governor; Honorable C. Virginia Fields, former Manhattan Borough President, New York City; Regent Adelaide Sanford, University of the State of New York; the late Honorable Shirley A. Chisholm, former US Congresswoman; Hazel Dukes, President, NYS Division of NAACP; Honorable Andrea Stewart-Cousins, NYS Senator; Dr. Shirley A. Jackson, President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Albany, New York; Dr. Alice P. Green, Executive Director of the Center for Law and Justice, Inc.; Carmen Charles, President, Local 420, NYC Municipal Hospital Employees Union of District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO; Fritz Reid, President of the Health Services Employees Local 768 of District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO and Hon. Dorcey Applyrs, DrPH, Councilperson, City of Albany; and African-American women in ministry, other leading men and women in the Unions; outstanding men of courage; and the Caribbean Women’s Health Association.  Notably, former First Lady, Secretary of State and Presidential Candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton attended the Leadership Breakfast one year and addressed the audience about the importance of participation in the political process to affect positive change in our community.  Also notable is US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s annual attendance and our 2002 keynote speaker, Elinor Tatum, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, The New York Amsterdam News.   This year we were honored to feature a panel discussion with Karine Jean-Pierre, spokesperson for MoveOn.org; Irma McClaurin; Barbara Smith & Nantasha Williams of the Women’s March.

Throughout each year Caucus members are participants and supporters of many conferences, workshops, forums and movements…

1. Endorsed the NAACP’s redistricting plan in Yonkers;
2. Advocated for sanctions against South Africa in the ‘80’s;
3. Supported the candidacy of the first African-American County Legislator, Herman Keith as well as Ernie Davis’ candidacy to the Westchester County Board of Legislators;
4. Supported and campaigned for Jessie Jackson’s presidential run.  Facilitated his visit to Westchester and a $50K donation to his campaign;
5. Supported the candidacies of the first African-American mayors in New York, Ronald Blackwood of Mount Vernon and Richard Jackson of Peekskill;
6. Attended the swearing in ceremony of the Ambassador to Gambia, Ruth Washington in Washington D.C.
7. Attended the inauguration of the first elected African-American mayor of New York City, David Dinkins.
8. Assisted in securing State funds to launch the Family Resource Center in Peekskill which was the brainchild of two members, Vera McCorvey and Leola McCoy;
9. Cosponsored Westchester County’s Women’s Equality Day, which celebrated the Nineteenth Amendment (Amendment XIX) to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote, and through the Caucus’ recommendation the Family Resource Center received the project of the year award;
10. Maintain a working relationship and an on-going dialogue with the leadership of both major political parties and other key politicians within the County of Westchester;
11. Watchdog relevant and crucial issues by regularly attending local and county government meetings;
12. Supported President Barack Obama’s campaigns; many of us attended both inauguration ceremonies in Washington, DC;
13. On-going support and campaign assistance for Caucus members running for office/re-election as well as other black women (potential members) who seek elected office;
14. On-going voter registration and voter education efforts. The WBWPC proudly touts registering over 1,000 new voters in one year;
15. Supports other community organizations that have a positive impact on the lives of Westchester residents, such as the local branches of the NAACP and the local office of the Urban League;
16. On a national level, WBWPC supports the efforts of the Congressional Black Caucus to secure equal rights and social justice and help solve the urban crisis.  Many Caucus members are regular attendees of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual National Convention in Washington D.C.;
17. Caucus members supported the founding of the National Black Women’s Political Caucus founded by C. Delores Tucker, known today as the National Congress of Black Women;
18. Host candidate forums and sponsor Black Women’s Leadership Roundtable Forums, which allow the leadership of various women’s organizations and agencies, along with women of influence in Westchester, to network and develop a vehicle to support common agendas;
19. The WBWPC also participates annually in the Westchester County Juneteenth Parade Celebration and is an annual supporter of the  African-American Heritage Celebration Day at the Kensico Dam in Valhalla, New York;
20. The WBWPC also maintains particular interest in current political affairs, keeping abreast of pertinent issues affecting the black community and advocating through letters and protests to promote empowerment and justice.

Because of a strong spirit and dedication, the members of the WBWPC have volunteered their time, energy and ideas to the enhancement of the organization. They have moved forward together, united in the goals of the organization, and focused on the political future for Westchester County.

~ Countywide Officers ~
2021 – 2022

Subomi Macaulay
President
Yonkers

Nicole Benjamin
1st Vice President
Mount Vernon

L’Judie Matt-Simmons
2nd Vice President
New Rochelle

Kim Cauthen
Corresponding Secretary
Yonkers

Onolder ‘OJ’ Yizar
Recording Secretary
Greenburgh-White Plains

Tajian Nelson
Financial Secretary
Mount Vernon

Wendelyn ‘Wendy’ Barnes
Treasurer
Greenburgh-White Plains

Jewel F. Williams Johnson
Immediate Past President
Greenburgh-White Plains

— Chapter Presidents —

  Keturah Hadley
Greater Peekskill Area

Onolder ‘OJ’ Yizar
Greenburgh-White Plains

Daniella Jackson
Mount Vernon

Jean Anderson
New Rochelle

Kim Cauthen
Yonkers