Our History

History of the Chums

The organization known as Chums began as a friendship between three women in Norfolk, Virginia, and evolved into a social and civic club.   The organization was founded by Mary Ward Barnes, Joyce Tate Brown, and Theodora Jackson Cora. The idea for Chums came about on a cold, rainy night in February of 1946. The three founders were sitting in Barnes' red Thunderbird convertible. The war was officially over, each of the young women had a boyfriend serving in the military who wasn't home yet, and segregation was still the norm. That particular night, the three friends couldn't think of anything to do so they decided to form a social club and name it after their friendship "Chums." 

The trio first became friends during their college days at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. Although the organization began as a social club, Chums soon gained a new role with an emphasis on community service. The group functioned locally as a club until 1952 when it was incorporated as Chums, Inc.  

Sponsored by the New York Chapter of Chums,  the Providence chapter was installed in 1961 and celebrated its 63rd year in 2024.  The chapter  currently consists of 20 active members who work together in friendship while combining the group's  many skills and talents in support to its community.

"Listen to the children... enrich  their lives."

The national theme "Listen to the children... enrich their lives" has guided each chapter in determining its community needs. The organization promotes educational, cultural, civic and social awareness.  Through volunteer work, the development of fund raisers and scholarship programs members strive to fulfill the needs of the community.

Community Service projects:

We are committed to serving our community.  Some of our past community service projects have included knitting and crocheting hats for newborns and shawls for elderly women in nursing homes.  

Our hats, gloves, scarves and mittens drive has helped many children in elementary and middle schools in the Providence area. 

Teachers provided a wish list, and we purchased items on the list for infants and toddlers at the Roger Williams Day Care Center.

We have held book drives and partnered with Friends of the Weaver Memorial Library in East Providence, Rhode Island to donate books to day care centers and urban public elementary schools. We have also partnered with MetLife Insurance company and donated mini outfitted MetLife stuffed animals to a local day care center.

The Chapter collected and donated handbags and tote bags filled with toiletries and accessories to homeless veteran women in Rhode Island.  

In addition, we donated canned goods, socks, pajamas, toiletries and candies to local homeless shelters.   Chapter members have donated clothing and accessories to the Women's Back to Work Program at the Center for Non-Violence.  We have donated items and food to the St Martin DePorres Senior center in Providence.  Members have purchased clothes, toys, school supplies, games, food, toiletries and other items to brighten their holidays and have made Thanksgiving and Christmas donations to families and/or charities in need. 


Scholarship Fundraisers

The Chums have created ways to support our community by building up our children. We have established relationships with local schools, churches, and childcare services.

We have partnered with different organizations to identify the needs of our children and leverage our efforts to remove the distractions  that keep them from focusing on school work; by increasing their confidence and allowing them to develop stronger relationships with their  parents and family. We have participated in projects that address children's social skills and future educational needs, especially with STEM programs.

The Providence chapter continues to award scholarships, up to $2,000 to college bound seniors from Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.  

The application deadline for the Constance Edmonds scholarship, named after the founding member of the Providence Chapter, is April 30th of each year and can be downloaded at: www. providencechums.org. Throughout the years, the Providence chapter has held numerous fundraisers in support of this scholarship, such as:

Although the name is not an acronym in later years each of the letters has been given its own meaning.

Contact Us

Providence Chapter Chums Inc.

P.O. Box 40746  Providence RI, 02940

Website: www.providencechums.org

Providence Chapter Chums Inc is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that provides opportunities women to meet in friendship  and fun, to encourage a spirit of helpfulness, and to use their many talents in service to the community. The organization promotes civic,  cultural, educational, and social improvement. An ancillary focus of the organization is to  enrich the lives of children by helping them develop to their fullest intellectual, moral, emotional, physical, and social potential. 

Brochure and Graphic Design  Courtesy of Vanessa Jackson.