Women In Community Action Inc. (WICA Inc.) was founded in 1976 by the late Fannie W. Fitzgerald, the late Deloris C. Hampton, the late Clara L. Harris, and the late Mary F. Williams. These women envisioned  a  need  for  a  service  organization  that  would  work  for  community improvement with special emphasis placed on the youth in Prince William County. The twelve original members were Carole Fields, Fannie W. Fitzgerald, Eudora Forest, Glorine W. Gholson, Deloris C. Hampton, Clara L. Harris, Vivian Ivey, Pearl Nelum, Delores F. Roy, Joyce S. Thompson, Ernestine White, and Mary F. Williams.

WICA Inc. was chartered in September 1976 at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre in Woodbridge, Virginia. Miss Paula Girven, a 1976 Olympic Participant, was inducted as an Honorary Member; and Miss Benita Fitzgerald (Mosley), a 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, was inducted at a later date.

WICA Inc.’s first Anniversary celebration was held at the Ramada Inn in Triangle, Virginia. Mrs. Mary R. Stafford was our guest speaker. The second Anniversary was held in 1978 at the Holiday Inn in Dumfries, Virginia, and consisted of dinner and a fashion show. The Springfield Hilton in Springfield, Virginia, was the location of WICA Inc.’s Twentieth Anniversary celebration on April 27, 1996.

There have been numerous fundraisers that were hosted by WICA Inc. to raise money for scholarships and to help those in need. However, WICA Inc. is perhaps best known as the sponsor of the annual Debutante Balls for young ladies who were high school seniors beginning in 1979. However, since 1989 Debutante Balls have been held every other year for high school juniors and seniors.  Young ladies from Prince William County as well as Fairfax County, Stafford County, and Fredericksburg have been able to make their debut through our program. Over the years, over 490 young ladies have completed our Debutante Ball program. Funds from our Debutante Balls have been used for college scholarships.

Two schools in Prince William County are named after our founders: Fannie W. Fitzgerald Elementary Schol and Mary F. Williams Elementary School. One school, Mary Porter Traditional School, is named after the mother of one of our members — Gwen P. Washington. George M. Hampton Middle school is named after the husband of founder Deloris C. Hampton. The Gymnasium at George M. Hampton Middle School is named for our member, Gwen P. Washington. Mary F. Williams was one of the first Blacks elected to serve on the School Board in Prince William County.

WICA Inc.’S Aim
WICA Inc. will aspire to be: 

W (Warm); I (Ingenious); C (Considerate of others); and A (Active participants in community affairs)

 

Purpose
This service organization was established to work for community improvement with special emphasis being placed on services to youth in Prince William County.

 

Motto
“No person was ever honored for what he received; honor has been the reward for what he gave.”

• Calvin Coolidge 

Colors: Yellow and Green
Flower: Yellow Rose