Victorine Quille Adams
Personal Information
Born: 1912
Died: 2006
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: Black
Education
Morgan State College (now University) BS Social Work 1940; Coppin Teachers College (now Coppin State University
""I should be regarded not only as the wife of Willie Adams but as a woman who has used her influence and affluence to better the community in which she lives." (fuelfundmaryland.org); “When the white political power structure did not listen to black people or when black politicians paid their women no mind, [I founded two organizations] to give black women some political power.” (baltimoremagazine.com); "
— Victorine Quille Adams
Professional Life
Field of Study: Educator; Politician
Institution/Corporation: Coppin State University; City of Baltimore; State of Maryland; Phi Delta Kappa; Sigma Gamma Rho
Degrees & Memberships: Member: Board of Trustees Barrett School for Girls, Provident Hospital board, Board of visitors coppin State School (1971-79(, Women's Democratic Campaign committee of Maryland (1946), Baltimore city council (1967-83), Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland (1971-72),Health & Welfare Committee Archdiocean Urban Commission, NAACP, National council Negro women, Phi Delta Kappa, Sigma Gamma Rho, Negro business & Professional Women
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2020 Maryland Women's Hall of Fame
Achievements: 1943 one of five women (with Kate Sheppard, Juanita Jackson Mitchell, Vivian Alleyne & Emma Dudley) who chartered the National Council of Negro Women in Baltimore; 1946 founded the Colored Women’s Democratic Campaign Committee, encouraging Black women to register to vote and run for public office; 1966 elected to Maryland’s House of Delegates; 1958 with Ethel P Rich founded Woman Power, Inc.; pushed for urban renewal, low- and middle-income housing, improved nursing homes and increased programs to help the elderly;1979 while on the Baltimore city Council partnered with Baltimore Gas & Electric Co to establish the Baltimore Fund which helped local families with fuel bills & became the model for other statewide similar programs; was instrumental in bringing a major SSA office building to West Baltimore
owner of a clothing store for women, the Charm Center, the only black owned and operated clothing store for women in Baltimore
taught a six-week course called Project Beauty and Charm which taught women and girls how to improve their charm, grace, and self-esteem
1967 1st Black woman to serve on Baltimore's City Council serving 4 terms until retiring in 1983
worked as a teacher in Baltimore for 14 years before entering politics
husband William L. "Little Willie" Adams got rich through running numbers before becoming a legitimate businessman & power broker
the National Council of Negro Women (NCONW) campaigned for equity within the military during WWII
formed the Fuel Fund after an elderly couple in her district froze to death & several fatal fires were started by people who were using flammable alternative fuel sources
a vegetable garden & community space in Baltimore was founded in 2008 & bears her name