2020-001 - Information on DCWIFDate: January 3, 2020 Report No. 2020-001
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Provide information on the Denton Christian Women’s Interracial Fellowship (DCWIF) and their
contributions to the City of Denton.
BACKGROUND:
At the Oct. 8, 2019 City Council work session meeting, the pending requests work session item
included a request presented from Council Member Meltzer for a discussion to recognize the
DCWIF. City Council requested additional information on the history of the DCWIF in order to
determine what would be the best path forward to engage the public and develop options for
recognition.
Summary of the History and Work of DCWIF
The DCWIF emerged in the early 1960s in response to the challenges of strained race relations in
Denton, particularly as they related to newly integrated schools. The shared experience of
motherhood strengthened the bond among the group members and propelled them to act to
challenge stereotypes and further interracial cooperation.
The efforts of DCWIF members had a significant impact on the lives of black Denton residents.
After Denton High School was integrated and Fred Douglass/Fred Moore High School was closed
in 1963, the members helped transport black children to and from the newly integrated high school,
because the high school was far away from where most black residents lived. The members also
held tutoring sessions for black students who were struggling in the new school. These efforts led
to higher and higher enrollments of black students at Denton High School.
Additionally, the DCWIF made it a priority to increase black political participation in all levels of
government. Periodically, they would send black and white pairs of fellowship members door to
door to assist residents in registering to vote. They also volunteered to drive black residents to and
from polls to increase turnout. This commitment to increase black political participation led to
more and more black candidates running for local and state positions and increased the trust black
Dentonites had in the political system.
Fellowship members also focused on the conditions of daily life that separated black and white
Denton residents. Basic services like paved streets, sidewalks, and water or sewer systems had
been long absent in black areas of the City. Through regular door to door canvassing, exposure of
the racist practices of certain white landlords and the circulation of petitions, the DCWIF was able
to secure the improvement and enlargement of existing water and sewer systems and the paving
of all streets in predominantly black areas of the City. Through these concerted efforts, members
of the DCWIF worked to ensure that black residents received the same services as white residents.
Date: January 3, 2020 Report No. 2020-001
Staff had the chance to connect with Betty Kimble, an original DCWIF member. She was excited
about the opportunity to discuss the work of the DCWIF and about the potential to work with the
City further if they wished to memorialize the DCWIF.
REFERENCES:
Byrd, R. W. (1991). Interracial Cooperation in a Decade of Conflict: The Denton (Texas) Christian
Women’s Inter-Racial Fellowship. Oral History Review, 19(1), 31–53. doi: 10.1093/ohr/19.1.31
STAFF CONTACT:
Erin Winn
Budget Manager
(940) 349-8115
REQUESTOR:
Council consensus during the October 8 pending Council requests work session for an informal
staff report.
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS:
City Manager’s Office
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT:
2 hours