The following is a compilation of women’s organizations in Arkansas. We tried to learn the mission and provide contact information for every group. However, many organizations throughout the state are missing. Please help us expand our list by letting us know of others that are not included or more information about the ones that are. We can be reached at
arwomen@ualr.edu

A women’s group at Little Rock Junior College poses for their photo, ca. 1950s.
Courtesy of the Arkansas History Commission

Aesthetic Club
One of the oldest women’s organizations in the state, they were founded in 1883 for self-improvement through study and appreciation of literature and the fine arts.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha became the first Greek-letter organization established for and by black women in 1908. After being incorporated in 1913, AKA became the branch through which college-trained women work to improve social and economic conditions in their cities, states, the nation, and world. Today, AKA cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards while promoting unity and friendship among college women. This sorority includes over 160,000 women in more than 900 chapters.

American Business Women’s Association
Brings together businesswomen of diverse occupations while giving them the opportunity to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition. ABWA offers scholarships, grants and loans to members and nonmembers. ABWA has several chapters across the state.
National Organization

Altrusa International Inc. of Little Rock
Altrusa is an international association of professional women and men who volunteer their energies and expertise in projects dedicated to community betterment. It is a community service organization whose causes include literacy and AIDS prevention.
National Organization

American Association of University Women
AAUA promotes education and equity for women and girls through research, fellowships, and grants for professional development and projects to advance girl’s achievement in math, science, and technology. The Little Rock branch first met in 1923 and was chartered in 1926.
National Organization

Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers

Arkansas Diamond, Chapter #34 (Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association)

Arkansas Women’s History Institute
AWHI works to heighten public awareness of the ethnic, racial, regional, diversity and historic role of women in Arkansas.They also promote empowering women through knowledge of their history and cultural achievements. The AWHI was founded in 1983 to encourage the study of Arkansas women’s history. Each year they award the Susie Pryor Award in Arkansas Women’s History for the best-unpublished essay on a topic relating to the history of women in Arkansas.
AWHI

Members of the Arkansas Business Women's Association at a Mardi Gras Party
Courtesy of a private collection

Arkansas Women’s Project
An organization that offers programs concerning child abuse, elderly women, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, rape crisis, battered women’s shelters, and homophobia.

Beta Sigma Phi
An international women’s sorority created in 1931 with close to 222,000 members worldwide today. The organization stands for “Life, Learning, and Friendship.” There are 172 chapters of Beta Sigma Phi in Arkansas that offer scholarships and loans. 
National Organization

Business and Professional Women’s Club of Little Rock Catherine’s House

Chi Omega
This is a women's fraternity founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas with headquarters now in Memphis, Tennessee.
National Organization

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Little Rock Alumnae Chapter
An African American women’s college sorority, the local chapter is associated with Philander Smith College and was established in 1956. They have been involved in a number of community service projects through the years.
National Organization

Pine Bluff Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, 1953
Courtesy of the Arkansas History Commission

Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club

Executive Women International
A women’s organization that represents executives of professional businesses, they offer scholarship programs to individuals.
National Organization

Fine Arts Club of Arkansas
Autonomous women’s club associated with, but not part of the Arkansas Arts Center. Members work as docents, in the museum shop, as receptionists, and in fund raising.

Garden Clubs Center of Little Rock

Junior League of Little Rock
Founded in 1921 as an auxiliary to the United Charities, they are a forerunner of the United Way. During the past decades, the organization has worked on numerous community projects. Some of these projects are now local institutions such as Arkansas Arts Center, nurses program at UAMS, Pulaski County Council on Aging, Museum of Natural Science and History (Museum of Discovery), Children’s Hospital, and the Children’s Museum. Associations of Junior International, Inc. is: Associations of Junior International, Inc.

Junior League of North Little Rock

Women’s Auxiliary from St. Matthews Mission sewing kneelers, Benton, Arkansas, 1952
Courtesy of the Arkansas History Commission

Kappa Kappa Iota

Las Mujeres Negras

League of Women Voters Of Arkansas
This is a non-partisan membership organization open to any citizen, 18 years or older. The League has been a strong influence for good government, fair elections and informed public policy since its founding in 1920. LWV of Arkansas has positions on education standards, election reform, water quality, state constitution revision, ethics in government, fair taxes, and equal rights for all citizens.
League of Women Voters of Arkansas

National American Women Business Owners, Arkansas Chapter
This is an organization of women who own their professional businesses. The web site of the national organization
National Organization

National Association of Women Business Owners, Central Arkansas Chapter

Women’s group at Arkansas Tech University
Courtesy of the Arkansas History Commission

National Council of Negro Women

North Little Rock Women’s Club

NOW of Little Rock
The National Organization of Women was started in the 1960’s. Currently, the local organization is working on passing bills related to hate crimes and other issues of domestic violence, and women and children’s rights.
National Organization

Order of the Eastern Star
A nationwide organization of wives, widows, sisters, daughters, mothers, and grandmothers of Freemasons, they have several local chapters in Arkansas as well as the Arkansas Grand Chapter.

Pilots Clubs of Little Rock
Chartered on July 15, 1936, the Pilot Club is a civic/service organization. Members are executive, business, and professional leaders who have worked on projects such as the Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the State Hospital, the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Advocates for Battered Women.

Pulaski County Democratic Women The Arkansas Federation of Democratic Women formed in 1933 as a result of women’s involvement in the election of Hattie Caraway to the US Senate. The mission of the organization is to raise funds to support Democratic candidates, strongly encourage women to seek elective office, provide a forum for candidates, and to volunteer for political campaigns.

Pulaski County Republican Women

P.E.O. Sisterhood
Founded in 1869 at Iowa Wesleyan College, one of the organization's main interests is furthering educational opportunities for women.
National Organization

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

Susan G. Komen Foundation, Arkansas Chapter
This is an organization that promotes breast cancer awareness. Each year they sponsor the Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure”.Last year over 20,000 people participated in the Little Rock race.
National Organization

Women’s Foundation of Arkansas
Founded in 1998 from the “Top 100 Women" in Arkansas, their projects include improving the educational status of Arkansas women and girls, and increasing opportunities for girls in rural areas as well as urban areas. The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas is a part of Arkansas Community Foundation Inc.
Arkansas Community Foundation

Women’s City Club

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

United Methodist Women’s Bazaar, c. 1950’s.
Courtesy of the First United Methodist Church Archives, Little Rock

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