NBA Celebrates 50 Years

NBA Golden Jubilee: 1887-1937

NBA Golden Jubilee: model homes

Landonia Hansbrough

The NBA celebrates 50 years of benevolence!

“The Golden Jubilee was to be celebrated at the 1937 International Convention in Columbus, OH. NBA had come a long way through many trials since Mattie Younkin spoke above the catcalls of her ministerial colleagues at earlier conventions. Bess White and the Central Board knew that the 50th birthday did not belong to them; it belonged to the Homes, to the churches, and to the saints who by grace had brought the work so far. Much preparation had to be done to make it possible for all to celebrate.” (Inasmuch, p85.)

Read more about NBA’s Golden Jubilee celebration!

“At the Jubilee only two of the original band of founders still lived–Mrs. J.H. Garrison of Los Angeles, still a Central Board member, and Donie Hansbrough, who at 92 was still the corresponding secretary after 50 years… stalwart pioneer of that first Home in 1889, she quietly ‘passed the torch’ to others on September 3, 1938, at the age of 93. Her final memoir said, ‘I appeal to you all to continue this work of ministering to the weak and the needy, the young and the aged, to support and keep up these Homes of my beloved National Benevolent Association.” (Inasmuch, p88.)