Grassroots Women Transforming their Communities

The National Congress of Neighborhood Women (NCNW) has been dedicated for more than 40 years to empowering women to become community leaders, giving them a voice, and raising their consciousness of their own power, so they can transform their communities.

Our Work

We enhance and expand women's participation in local development /

Honoring National Congress of Neighborhood Women's (NCNW) Historical Legend: Brooklyn's Own Jan Peterson

On March 25, 2023, community leaders and neighbors celebrated National Congress of Neighborhood Women (NCNW) founder/board chair, Jan Peterson and Cooper Park Houses organizer, Dianne Jackson. The honorees received awards from City Councilmember Jennifer Guitterez, Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, Assemblywoman Maritza Davila, State Senator Julia Salazar, and St. Nicks Alliance. The uplifting, inspiring Women’s History Luncheon honoring “Our Community Women Who Stood Up and Spoke Out” was organized by NW board member and Cooper Park Residents Council President, Debra Benders and her spirited team of volunteers.

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UN's Commission on the Status of Women

NCNW has held consultative status at the United Nations since 1985. This year, several members represented us as ECOSOC delegates at the UN’s CSW 67th.

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Leadership Support Process Training

LSP is a training model developed in 1979 by the NCNW. As the women’s movement and their needs changed, the LSP simultaneously evolved to meet the new demands. This training process continues to be implemented and revised as a model for women leaders.

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Living & Learning Center

The Neighborhood Women House at 249 Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn is an intergenerational and shared space hosting the offices of local and global women’s community development organizations. We also host workshops and events.

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Neighborhood Women Leadership Walking Tour

This self-guided walking tour highlights the role of grassroots women leaders in the historical development, growth, and vitality of Williamsburg-Greenpoint in Brooklyn. Plaques were placed at 12 locations to honor individual Neighborhood Women leaders by describing their names and work at each site.

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Swinging Sixties and Small World Day Care Center

In 1975 the Swinging Sixties Senior Center and the Small World Day Care Center opened at 211 Ainslie St in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as one of the first achievements from the NCNW. Today, it continues to serve neighborhood seniors and children.

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Neighborhood College Program

One of the earliest programs developed by NCNW was a neighborhood-based college program co-sponsored with La Guardia Community College. This new model gave college education a new meaning. The neighborhood became their campus and the lessons materialized into senior and childcare centers, affordable housing, improved public spaces and social cohesion.

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