Mary H. Dickerson

Mary H. Dickerson (October 22, 1830 - July 1, 1914) was an African American businesswoman and clubwoman.

Dickerson founded several women's groups in the New England area and in Newport, Rhode Island.

[2][3] She was the first Black woman to open a store in that location on Bellevue Avenue and her clients were "prominent people in the city" of Newport.

[5] On June 3, 1896, she and Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin created the Northeastern Federation of Women's Clubs.

[5][4] In 1900, Dickerson provided photos of African American clubs, organizations and individuals from Newport to be included in the "negro exhibit" for the Paris Exposition.