On May 16, 1951, the First Pan-African Women’s Conference convened in Dakar, Senegal—marking a critical but underrecognized moment in global Black history. Organized during the waning years of colonial rule, the conference brought together women leaders, activists, and organizers from across French West Africa and beyond to address gender equality, education, health, labor rights, and anti-colonial resistance. While male-led nationalist movements were gaining attention, this historic gathering spotlighted the crucial role African women played in shaping political discourse and pushing for both national liberation and gender justice. Delegates from countries such as Senegal, Mali (then French Sudan), Côte d\’Ivoire, and Niger discussed shared struggles and laid the foundation for future cross-border feminist organizing. The conference is seldom mentioned in mainstream history despite its profound influence on post-independence women’s movements across Africa. It remains a testament to the intellectual and organizational leadership of African women during a pivotal era of global decolonization.

On June 14, 1951, the First Pan-African Women’s Conference convened in Dakar, Senegal, marking a pivotal moment in global Black feminist history. Organized under the aegis of the Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO), the gathering brought together women leaders from across Africa and the African diaspora to strategize on women\’s roles in anti-colonial movements, economic development, and education reform. Delegates came from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea, and the Caribbean. While much of Pan-African history highlights male leaders, this conference was a powerful assertion of Black women’s political agency on the international stage. The resolutions passed called for equal access to education, women\’s labor rights, and active participation in independence movements. Though largely overshadowed in historical narratives, the Dakar conference laid early groundwork for what would become sustained transnational Black feminist organizing throughout the 20th century. It also set the stage for future women-led activism across post-colonial African states.