BRANCH HISTORY
The Mystic Valley Area Branch's roots lie in the work of civic leaders from the West Medford community. The late Rev. Oscar Phillips of the Shiloh Baptist Church and Mr. Wallace Kountze, who was elected the branch’s first President, were the branch's early leaders. In August of 1977 they sent a list of 97 new members to the National office of the NAACP to apply for our own Charter. In October of 1977 the national office recognized Medford as an official branch.
Young members were a significant part of the new branch. A sufficient number of young people signed up to create a youth group within a year of the adult branch’s formation.
The Medford Branch ultimately changed its name to the Mystic Valley Area Branch, to grow and incorporate the energy from neighboring communities wanting to become active in civil rights advocacy.
The Mystic Valley Area Branch is a part of a powerful, larger national organization, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP who's vision is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.
History at a Glance
Announcement of Philip Bazar, taking over the Medford Branch presidency from Wallace Kountze, on January 22, 1979.
A program from the first Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance, on January 21, 1979.
Norma Jeffers and Rev. Eugene Adams of the Unitarian Universalist Church receive the Martin Luther King Jr. award, at the branch's 3rd observance in 1981.
For the first time delegates from the Medford Branch, attended the 70th National NAACP Convention, in Louisville, Kentucky in 1979.
