Located on Martha’s Vineyard, The Cottagers, Inc. is a philanthropic volunteer organization of 100 African American female homeowners whose mission is to support charitable, educational and community service projects that improve the quality of life on the island.
Founded in 1956 by Thelma Garland Smith, she spearheaded the organization’s founding with friends in response to criticism that African Americans did not care about the island or contribute to community needs. Smith and her friends took this criticism as a call to action.
Twelve women became the founders of the organization and began recruiting others. At first the women would meet regularly in each other’s homes. However, as more African Americans began summering on the island, meeting at their homes was no longer feasible. In 1968, under President Maggie Alston’s leadership, they bought the Oak Bluffs Fire Station, Town Hall at 57 Pequot Avenue, and three lots on Wamsutta Avenue. The building was named Cottagers’ Corner, and The Cottagers were incorporated on May 28, 1969.
Today, The Cottagers, Inc. remains a diverse group of women from different backgrounds and generations. The president of The Cottagers, Inc, Patricia Bush, expressed her gratitude for working alongside such a phenomenal group of women. As president, “I’m so humble to lead this organization. In 2026, we will be celebrating 70 years. To be in an organization with that kind of history is amazing.”
The Cottagers have three levels of membership, general membership, legacy members and lifetime members. Although there are three different levels, they certainly operate as one organization. Legacy members include daughters and even granddaughters of previous Cottagers. In particular, Bush said, “We love our lifeline members. They are such a source of history and wisdom. Lifetime members also allow us to have a face in the community year-round.”
Members can be seasonal or year-round. “We’re finding more are becoming year-round residents. Right now, 20 to 25% of members are year-round residents,” Bush said.
These women have come together in times of joy and in times of uncertainty. One obstacle that the organization faced was COVID-19. The Cottagers value sisterhood, which means having meetings together and working together; however, when the pandemic hit, they had to pivot. “Initially it was a challenge for us,” Bush said. “We are an organization that has traditional fundraisers every year. With COVID we couldn’t do that. It really caused us to step back and think about what the mission was.”
Repairs have begun on Cottagers Corner, home of The Cottagers. PHOTO: COLIN REDD, BAY STATE BANNER
Not only was the pandemic an obstacle, but the foundation of The Cottagers building was deteriorating. “I think of it as a perfect storm,” Bush said. In 2019, during an annual check-up of the building, they discovered that the floors had started to tilt. Due to the conditions of the building and COVID-19, the Cottagers stopped meeting face to face.
As Cottagers, Inc. member, Sharon Redd said, “As an organization the obstacle that we are facing is the inability to utilize our home, Cottagers Corner, because of the structural deficits that exist currently. Our home has enabled us to sponsor a number of activities annually for fundraising purposes and for fellowship. We must restore the building to be able to serve the community, continue the work of our founders and preserve the legacy for the next generation of Cottagers.”
Thankfully, two years ago, they started meeting in person again, but had no building. Their new meeting hub is now the Tabernacle, a covered outdoor performance space in Oak Bluffs, which is a center for cultural, religious and social activities on the island.
To help restore the Cottagers, the organization has begun their capital campaign. They have begun step one, digging out the foundation by hand which is expected to be done by this quarter. Then phase two starts, which is total restoration of the building. Recently, the Cottagers had their 37th House Tour which is a traditional fundraiser. In Oak Bluffs, homeowners graciously opened their homes for people to tour. This year there were six fabulous homes, and the funds raised went toward their capital campaign, the restoration of the Cottagers. The last House Tour was in 2019, so members were very excited to restart the tradition this year.
An important partnership for this organization is Harbor Homes.
“Most notable since 2020, we have forged a collaborative partnership with Harbor Homes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, that seeks solutions to homelessness prevention on Martha’s Vineyard and support to low-income individuals and families who face homelessness on Martha’s Vineyard,” Redd stated.
As a member, Redd’s inspiration to join the Cottagers, Inc. began in 1999. It “stemmed from my admiration for the character of the members of the Cottagers, Inc. These 100 African American homeowners gave of themselves to bring into fruition the legacy of supporting charitable, educational and community service projects that improved the quality of life that the founders established,” she said.
It’s those women that have made a profound impact on Redd’s experience in the Cottagers, Inc.
“Being surrounded by a diverse group of women of different experiences and generations has afforded me much,” she said.
Everyone has their “aha moment.” For Bush it was after the first in-person meeting during the first week of July. “The first meeting almost felt like a rite of passage,” she said.
Although Bush has only been president for one year, she continues to be a leader who leads with passion and grit.
The Cottagers, Inc. and the women who make up this organization are deeply committed to their work. For 70 years, they’ve supported not only others but also one another.
“As a group, we are able to provide intergenerational programs that serve our youth, an aspect of our mission that is near and dear to my heart. Members of The Cottagers, Inc. have promoted and financially supported many worthwhile projects because of the unique expertise that each member brings to the organization,” Redd said.
