About NAACP Norwich

Linwood Bland was President of the New London Branch NAACP and well known for his devotion to civil rights work in Southeastern Connecticut. After receiving discrimination complaints from Norwich citizens who held membership in the New London Branch, Linwood Bland and Amanda Braboy (of Norwich) began to gather memberships to form the Norwich Branch.

Among the complaints received from Blacks was that an eatery on West Main Street would require Blacks to pay in advance for their meals and then would break the glasses they used in their presence.

On October 14, 1963, the Norwich Branch NAACP received its charter from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People with a total of 111 chartered members.

First Officers Of The Branch 1963 - 1964

The first officers of the Norwich Branch were a diverse group of individuals from many different ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds.

Reverend Joseph Schneider, President - Minister of Unitarian Universalist Church
Reverend Richard Campbell, Vice President - Minister of AME Zion Church, Norwich
Amanda Braboy, Secretary - Co-Founder of the Norwich Branch
Tealie Edwards, Treasurer - Charter Member

Norwich And New London Branches Work Together

The Norwich and New London Branches joined together to fight for permanent inclusive representation on the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) Board. Representation would include one NAACP member from each Branch, plus poor people who would be served by TVCCA. The Norwich Branch organized a meeting where the following issues were discussed:

Training for a better job;
Help in getting a better job;
Nursery schools or day-care center for children of working mothers;
Play grounds and recreation programs;
Jobs for teenagers;
Better Housing;
Project Headstart;
and Credit Unions.

Norwich Branch NAACP Presidents

1974 - Present

Jacqueline B. Owens,
President 1986 - Present
Shiela S. Hayes,
President 1984 - 1986
Jacquelyn Randall,
President 1980 - 1984
Lottie B. Scott,
President 1974 - 1980

1963 - 1974

Carlene Lee,
President 1973 - 1974
Henry A. Randall,
President 1967 - 1973
Marion “Garfield” Rucker,
President 1964 - 1967
Rev. Joseph Schneider,
President 1963 - 1964

Branch Awards Received at National and State Convention

1994 – W. E. B. DuBois Life Time Achievement Award to Lottie B. Scott at Connecticut State NAACP Convention
2005 – W. E. B. DuBois Life Time Achievement Award to Jacqueline Owens at Connecticut State NAACP Convention
2005 – Gloster B. Current Award to Branch at Connecticut State NAACP Convention
2006 – 1st Place Thalheimer Award to Branch at NAACP National Convention in Detroit, Michigan
2007 – 1st Place Thalheimer Award to Branch at NAACP National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio
2010 - 1st Place Thalheimer Award to Branch at NAACP National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri

Norwich NAACP