We Do Better Together

Helping women succeed and soar in their personal lives, families and communities.

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What we do

Community Impact

Education

Giving women the skills and knowledge to succeed in their personal and professional lives.

Health & Well-Being

Providing women of underserved communities with the resources to protect their health and well-being.

Personal Development

Helping women grow into the best person they can be and thrive in their new lives.

Who are we

Women of Color On The Move is a nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, CA committed to helping women succeed in their personal lives and community. Since 2014, WOCOTM has conducted educational workshops for women in the community to improve their skills and knowledge in vital domains such as health, financial literacy, politics, and socioeconomic issues.

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Black History Month: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

Black History Month, celebrated every February, originated from the efforts of historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1926. Initially a week-long celebration, it was expanded to a month in 1976 to recognize the significant contributions of African Americans throughout history. This observance not only honors the achievements and struggles of Black individuals but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and justice. By reflecting on the past, we inspire future generations to continue the pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable society.

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Who Is Carter G Woodson?

Carter G. Woodson was a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month, marked every February since 1976. Woodson fervently believed that Black people should be proud of their heritage and all Americans should understand the largely overlooked achievements of Black Americans.

EARLY YEARS AND EDUCATION

Woodson overcame early obstacles to become a prominent historian and author of several notable books on Black Americans. Born in 1875 to illiterate parents who were former slaves, Woodson’s schooling was erratic. He helped out on the family farm when he was a young boy and as a teen worked in the coal mines of West Virginia to help support his father’s meager income. Hungry for education, he was largely self-taught and had mastered common school subjects by the age of 17. Entering high school at the age of 20, Woodson completed his diploma in less than two years.

Woodson worked as a teacher and a school principal before obtaining a bachelor’s degree in literature from Berea College in Kentucky. After graduating from college, he became a school supervisor in the Philippines and later traveled throughout Europe and Asia. In addition to earning a master’s degree from the University of Chicago, he became the second Black American, after W.E.B. Du Bois, to obtain a Ph.D. degree from Harvard University. He joined the faculty of Howard University, eventually serving as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

BLACK HISTORY IGNORED

After being barred from attending American Historical Association conferences despite being a dues-paying member, Woodson believed that the white-dominated historical profession had little interest in Black history. He saw African-American contributions “overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them.”

For Black scholars to study and preserve Black history, Woodson realized he would have to create a separate institutional structure. With funding from several philanthropic foundations, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 in Chicago, describing its mission as the scientific study of the “neglected aspects of Negro life and history.” The next year, he started the scholarly Journal of Negro History, which is published to this day under the name Journal of African American History.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Woodson’s devotion to showcasing the contributions of Black Americans bore fruit in 1926 when he launched Negro History Week in the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Woodson’s concept was later expanded into Black History Month.

Woodson died from a heart attack at the age of 74 in 1950. His legacy lives on every February when schools across the nation study Black American history, empowering Black Americans and educating others on the achievements of Black Americans.

Throughout the course of his life, Woodson published many books on Black history, including the A Century of Negro Migration (1918), The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861 (1919), The History of the Negro Church (1921), and The Negro in Our History (1922).

Events

Women Empowerment Summit

Women empowerment refers to the process of enhancing women’s social, economic, political, and personal strengths to enable them to achieve their full potential. It involves creating opportunities, removing barriers, and fostering an environment where women can make their own decisions and contribute meaningfully to society.

Love is Respect Mental Wellness Summit

Women & Girls Mental Wellness Summit. Date: March 29-30, 2025 Location: Estate Farms, 6240 Excelsior Rd Sacremento, CA

Big day of Giving

Let’s turn this into the most impactful day of the year! 💪✨ We have the power to transform lives and uplift women as they navigate their responsibilities to themselves, their families, and their communities. 🎉🌟 Join Us for the Big Day of Giving! 🌟🎉

Our Programs

Enroll in our free programs that teach women vital skills such as financial literacy, professional development, life coaching, and navigating public programs.

Substance Abuse

Offering individuals the tools to be drug-free and healthy, by raising awareness through community outreach and education in a safe environment.

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Money Management

Our workshops will teach women essential financial skills such as maintaining good credit, banking fundamentals, and purchasing a house.

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Let’s Get To Work

Join our 10-week program to practice and learn essential job-searching skills. Topics include resume building, interview skills, workforce education, and more.

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Student & Educator Mental Health | NEA

The current mental health crisis in schools, colleges, and universities continues to impact both students and educators across the country.

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Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit

Check out what SAMHSA is doing for Mental Health Awareness Month and share our materials, and remember that we all play active roles in caring for our mental health!

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Free Mental Health Assessment

Take our free mental health assessment test and gain access to our empowering programs designed to equip women with essential skills. Prioritize your mental well-being and unlock the tools to thrive in every aspect of life.

Anxiety test

The Anxiety Test is for people who feel that worry and fear are affecting their ability to function day-to-day. The anxiety test is also available in Spanish.

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