In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, African American women formed and joined clubs to help their communities. The clubs focused on various goals, including philanthropy, literary and musical culture, and honoring achievements of black Americans. In Minnesota, women joined clubs such as the Everywoman Progressive Club, the Adelphai Club, and the Federation of Negro Women. Women worked to raise donations for community members in need, granted scholarships to young African Americans attending college, and lobbied legislators.