The Chums, Incorporated
The Yellow Tea Rose
The Yellow Tea Rose
The Yellow Tea Rose
Chums, Inc., adopted the yellow tea rose as its official flower; for Chums the yellow symbolizes "brightness" and the green symbolizes "awakening."
History of the Chums
The Yellow Tea Rose
The Yellow Tea Rose
The organization known as Chums began as a friendship between three women in Norfolk, Virginia, and evolved into a social and civic club. The organization was founded by Mary Ward Barnes, Joyce Tate Brown, and Theodora Jackson Cora. The idea for Chums came about on a cold, rainy night in February of 1946.
The three founders were sitting in Barnes' red Thunderbird convertible. The war was officially over, each of the young women had a boyfriend serving in the military who wasn't home yet, and segregation was still the norm. That particular night, the three friends couldn't think of anything to do so they decided to form a social club and name it after their friendship "Chums."
The trio first became friends during their college days at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. Although the organization began as a social club, Chums soon gained a new role with an emphasis on community service. The group functioned locally as a club until 1952 when it was incorporated as Chums, Inc.
Our Logo
The Yellow Tea Rose
Our Logo
"A good archer is not known by his arrow but by his aim." is our motto. The official logo captures both of these concepts and links them with the handshake symbol of fellowship in a shield surrounded by a sunburst.
CHUMS NATIONAL OFFICERS
Our National Theme
The National Theme is "Listen to the Children…enrich their lives".
Who are the Chums?
Chums, Incorporated is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for women to meet in friendship and fun to encourage a spirit of helpfulness, and to use their many talents in service to the community.