February 17, 1993

Portrait of the History of America's Black Women

Encyclopedia focuses on remarkable figures and issues, from slavery to feminism

By Denise K. Magner

Four black women stare earnestly into the camera. Wrapped in winter coats with cloches and turbans, they could be on their way to the market, but for the leather satchels at their sides. The photo , blurry around the edges, captures them barely smiling. Clearly they have more important things to do than pose for a picture.

It is the Depression era, and they are members of a black women's group called the Housewives' League of Detroit. Their task is to help black families survive, and