Biography
Early Life
Alberta Moore-Smith was born in Illinois circa 1875.
Activism
Alberta Moore-Smith was an important leader and activist in Chicago. She founded the Colored Women’s Business Club in 1904 to improve the lives of Black women facing challenges in a segregated society. Before starting the club, Moore-Smith and her team spent years looking into the working conditions of Black women in Chicago. They found that there was a need for better jobs and the opportunity to get a better education. This research led them to create an organization to connect Black women to jobs. Careers that gave them a chance to succeed included secretaries, bookkeepers, and nurses.
She believed that Black women should also be well-trained in domestic work. Domestic work allowed them to earn better wages. Although the jobs she focused on were mostly in domestic service, Moore-Smith’s goal was to help Black women find work that was stable and paid well. She also used her writing and journalism skills to raise awareness about these issues. Moore-Smith was dedicated to helping her community succeed despite the barriers they faced.
Moore-Smith advocated for gender equality. She believed that women had the same power as men. This power was often overlooked and not taken seriously. She was clear that the progress of one gender affects the other. Moore-Smith knew that women were paid unfair wages compared to men. She wrote about it honestly and encouraged those around her to fight for change. She worked to align the work of a competent woman and that of a capable man. She believed that the skills and abilities of women should be valued equally to those of men. This position emphasized that both deserve fair recognition and pay for their work. Moore-Smith urged women to unite their efforts to gain respect and equal pay in the workforce. By doing so, women challenged the dominant societal norms that undermined their gifts.
Religion
Moore-Smith believed deeply in missionary work. She urged Christians to spread their faith across the globe. She wanted them to offer encouragement. She also wanted them to take action. She admired the early missionaries of 1787 who worked in South Africa. She praised their faith and dedication because they faced severe hardships. She also warned others about Satan being a relentless enemy but stated that God’s glory was always worth the struggle. Moore-Smith encouraged everyone to contribute to missionary work. She insisted that no man, woman, or child should fail to offer their help, no matter how small. This showed her selflessness and dedication to a greater cause. Everything Moore-Smith did was reflected in her Women’s Business Club in Chicago.
Moore-Smith believed that Christianity brought joy to women in this country. Through Christianity, women could take an equal place in society. No other system would do this for them. Moore-Smith looked at women in the Bible. She saw them as religious leaders. These women led many changes in biblical history. A woman gave birth to Jesus. A woman was the first person to say, “He is Risen.” Another woman put oil on the feet of the Lord. A man criticized her for spending too much money. A woman was also the first person at the tomb. Moore-Smith called women “the world’s masterpiece.”
