
About Us
The Drifters, Incorporated was founded during a time when the Women’s Club Movement was sweeping across America. When Vivienne Lucille Malone-Mayes, Ph.D. of Dallas-Waco, Texas was a student at Fisk University during the 50’s, she envisioned organizing a National Women’s Club to nurture warm friendships and provide a social outlet for women with similar backgrounds and interests. After returning home in 1954, Vivienne continued to further this vision through letters to various friends throughout the country. She contacted girlfriends in Detroit who wrote to very receptive girlfriends in Chicago, who then contacted women in New York, Louisville, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.
In December 1954, the first chapter was established in Chicago, Illinois. During the next two years, chapters were organized in Louisville, Indianapolis, St. Louis, New York and Greater Kansas City. The first and founding convention of The Drifters, Incorporated was hosted by the Chicago Chapter at the Sheraton-Chicago Hotel from October 11-13, 1957.
From the beginning, these women’s vision was broad and infectious, and not defined by the cultural barriers of their times. Hence, the organization’s history is rich, dynamic and inspirational. In recent years, growth in the number and size of chapters has accelerated. Drifters, Inc. is comprised of dedicated, courageous women practicing their chosen professions which include; education, law, health, elected office, business and other 21st Century careers. The many stories embodied in these chapters give The Drifters, Incorporated a rich legacy of sisterhood, and have provided members with lifelong opportunities to give and receive, belong and contribute.
The Southern New Jersey chapter was formed as an interest group in 2020 by Maureen Olivia Baxter and Ethelyn S. Bowers. Due to the pandemic restrictions in place, they could not meet in person but they did not allow this to stop them. Instead, the group of 25 African American women used video technology to meet monthly to organize the chapter. The group was chartered in August 2021 at the 65th National Convention in Washington, DC.
















We believe all women can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.
Southern New Jersey
Charter Members

Maureen Olivia Baxter
Ethelyn Bowers
Tia Verzel Baxter
Joan Bennett
Linda Blythe
Philippa Chaplin Squire
Carolyn Clark
Carla Dennis
Angela Dickerson
Ann Giles
Chane' Gilliam
Beverly Hutton
Judy Jackson
Judy Johnson
Janetta Marbrey
Michelle Parker
Cassandra Provost
Yvette Sample
Darla Syres
Eunice Van Wright
Terri Weaver
Jennifer White-Reid
Jacqueline Diane Williams
Adrienne Wooden
Our National Theme
To provide service to local communities where members reside.
“Strengthen Our Families to Build Better Communities: Save our children – Assist our seniors”
Our Objectives
To accomodate the provision of charitable activities, educational programs and services to youth and residents of the communities we serve; participate with other chapters in charitable, civic, educational and social activities and to provide an opportunity for the development of friendship between women with similar backgrounds, interests and desires.
Colors, Emblem and Flower
The Drifters colors are Coral and Silver Gray
The Drifters emblem is the Driftwood
The Drifters flower is the Coral Gladiola
Drifters Code
D - Devotion
R - Responsibility
I - Intelligence
F - Friendliness
T - Truthfulness
E - Eudemonism
R - Rationality
S - Sociability