ABSTRACT
Among the institutions working to create a foundation from which to mobilize citizens to action advance the status of black America, no organization did more than the black church. Segregated society contributed to the dominant role of black churches, one of the few cohesive institutions to emerge from slavery. The churches with their predominantly female membership anchored their community. The church was the place for meetings, strategy sessions, worship, and a sense of sanctuary from the white world. It was also one of the few places large enough to accommodate great numbers of people. Black women mobilized their congregations to seek support for the civil rights movement.
