National

The Charmettes, Incorporated is a national 501(c)3 non-profit tax exempt that was created to improving the quality of life within our communities through advocacy, education, service and support for cancer research. It was established June 17, 1951 in West Palm Beach, Florida by founders Gwendolyn Baker Rodgers and Frankie Drayton Thomas. . The Charmettes, Incorporated is a national 501(c)3 organization with chapters active throughout Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Our Founders

Gwendolyn Baker Rodgers

Frankie Drayton Thomas

Mission Statement and Guiding Principles

The Charmettes, Incorporated is a sisterhood of dedicated women committed to improving the quality of life within our communities through advocacy, education, service and support for cancer research.

Our guiding principles:

  1. Our commitment and dedication is to our organization, our members, and to our communities:
  2. We welcome, value, and support the diversity of skills, expertise, tools and networks of the strong African American who make up our membership; and
  3. We recognize the importance and benefits of supporting the eradication of cancer and partnering with historically black colleges and universities and others who share our values and support our mission.

Howard University Cancer Center Initiative

In 1981, The Charmettes, Incorporated adopted a national thrust to eradicate cancer in our lifetime. We have contributed more than $500,000 to the Howard University Cancer Center in Washington, D.C., to support cancer research and services. In recognition of our contributions and long-term commitment to the Howard Cancer Center, an Infusion Suite was named, “The Charmettes, Incorporated Gwendolyn B. Rodgers”, in 2007.

More on our Howard University Cancer Initiative can be found on our National Website