DEMENT, ADA BELL

DEMENT, ADA BELL (1888–1945). Ada Bell DeMent, black educator and clubwoman, was born in 1888. She spent much of her life in Mineral Wells. Her early posts with the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs included chair of the peace and function committee and membership on the board of control. She served as senior state supervisor of girls before her election around 1933 as president of the Texas Association of Colored Women's Clubs (later the Texas Association of Women's Clubs^qv). During her tenure, the Texas Association of Colored Women's Clubs activated a scholarship fund, promoted a training school for delinquent black girls, and cooperated with the (white) Texas Federation of Women's Clubs. DeMent was president of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs from 1941 until her death. In this post she was instrumental in transferring the Frederick Douglass home in Washington, D.C., to the association. DeMent received an honorary doctorate from Bishop College in 1942. She was an active participant in the women's auxiliary to the National Baptist Convention and became secretary of its executive committee. She was the wife of the Rev. C. DeMent. She died on November 28, 1945, in Tarrant County.