1951 - First Pan-African Women’s Conference Opens in Dakar, Senegal

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.