ABOUT US
Our History
Founded nearly seventy years ago by Thelma Garland Smith, The Cottagers, Inc. is a celebrated philanthropic organization comprised of 100 African American
women homeowners on Martha’s Vineyard. Ms. Smith spearheaded the organization’s founding alongside a small group of friends in response to criticism that African Americans did not contribute to the needs of the Island community. Rather than view the remark as an insult, the women embraced it as a call to action.
Thelma Garland Smith, Founder
Each woman contributed $10, and together they proudly presented a $300 donation to Martha's Vineyard Hospital as a gesture of appreciation and community support. That single act of giving marked the beginning of what would become a lasting legacy of philanthropy, service, and civic engagement.
After years of meeting in one another’s homes, the membership, under the leadership of President Maggie Alston, voted in 1968 to purchase the former Oak Bluffs Fire Station and Town Hall at 57 Pequot Avenue, along with three adjoining lots on Wamsutta Avenue, for a reported $6,000. The historic building became the organization’s headquarters and was named Cottagers’ Corner. Acclaimed for its significance to the historic narrative of African Americans on the Island, Cottagers’ Corner was added to the famed Martha’s Vineyard African American Heritage Trail in 2006.
Recently renovated and restored, Cottagers’ Corner remains a cherished part of the community, serving not only as the home of The Cottagers, but also as a welcoming space for community programs, cultural activities, educational initiatives, and nonprofit organizations across Martha’s Vineyard.
As the organization continued to grow, so did its fundraising efforts and community presence. The women organized bazaars, suppers, dinner dances, and clam bakes to support their philanthropic mission. Over time, The Cottagers also became known for signature events that evolved into cherished Island traditions, including the Annual Fashion Show, the African American Cultural Festival, the Gems on the Bluffs House Tour, and the Sundown Soirée.
Today, The Cottagers, Inc. remains a vibrant, diverse, and multigenerational organization of women united by a shared commitment to giving back, uplifting others, and making a lasting difference on Martha’s Vineyard. The organization officially incorporated in 1969, following the purchase of the building.
Prominently featured in “The Power of Place” exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, The Cottagers are recognized for a legacy of service, community, leadership and cultural significance on Martha’s Vineyard.
OUR MISSION
What We Stand For
Simply put, our mission is to promote a sense of cultural pride by fundraising to support charitable, educational and community service projects that help improve the quality of life in the community.
CORE VALUES
What We’ve Stood On and What Sustains Us
Heritage
We honor the legacy of pioneering Black women who chose to make a difference and helped shape the Vineyard’s culture of caring, giving, and inclusion.
Impact
We give and volunteer to make a meaningful difference in the quality of life on the Island. We invest in programs and initiatives that address community needs and create lasting change.
Culture
We celebrate our stories, art, traditions, and shared experiences—strengthening cultural pride, connection, and inspiration for future generations.
Service
We believe that service affirms our shared humanity, creates a ripple effect of compassion and generosity, and strengthens the bonds that unite communities.
OUR WORK
Putting Our
Commitment Into Action
Through a variety of programs and events, The Cottagers, Inc. actively engages the community and supports meaningful causes.
Raising funds to support local charities and organizations serving on the frontlines of the Island community is at the heart of The Cottagers' mission. Through signature fundraising initiatives including the long-standing Annual House Tour now in its 39th year, as well as newer efforts such as the Lucky 70 Escape to Nevis Raffle and the Jeffrey Osborne benefit concert, The Cottagers continue a proud tradition of providing financial support to programs and services that make a meaningful difference across Martha's Vineyard.
The organization is proud of its current and past relationships with community organizations including Harbor Homes, Island Grown Initiative, Boys & Girls Club of Martha's Vineyard, Martha's Vineyard Hospital, Martha's Vineyard Affordable Housing Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging, among many other local nonprofits, foundations, and agencies dedicated to strengthening the Island community.
Consistent with The Cottagers’ mission to improve the quality of life on Martha’s Vineyard is a longstanding commitment to educational advancement and opportunity. Each year, the organization awards scholarships to graduating students from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School who plan to attend a two- or four-year college, university, or vocational program.
Scholarship recipients are selected based on financial need, academic achievement, community service, overall character, and the strength of their essays and personal statements. Through this program, The Cottagers continue to invest in the future of Island students by helping open doors to higher education and new opportunities.
Through its outreach initiatives, the organization works to help ensure that Island residents have access to essential everyday needs. From food drives that support local pantries to clothing and toy collections for families in need, the organization partners with local nonprofits and community groups to provide meaningful assistance with respect and compassion.
Rooted in the tradition of service, these efforts reflect The Cottagers’ commitment to caring for neighbors, responding to community needs, and making a tangible difference in the lives of Island families.
For generations, Martha’s Vineyard has been a place where families come together to relax, reconnect, and create lasting memories. The Cottagers’ Children’s Initiative builds on that spirit by offering programs designed to inspire young minds, encourage creativity, and bring children and families together in meaningful ways.
From children’s book talks and storytelling events to arts and crafts classes and interactive activities, the initiative creates welcoming spaces where imagination, learning, and self-expression can flourish. Through these experiences, The Cottagers’ desire is to educate, inspire, and help nurture the confidence and curiosity of the next generation.
OUR IMPACT
Strengthening the Fabric of Martha's Vineyard
The Cottagers have helped strengthen the fabric of the Martha’s Vineyard community through dedicated service and giving. From supporting local organizations and youth initiatives to preserving the historic legacy of Cottagers’ Corner, the organization’s impact can be seen not only in the outcomes of programs and initiatives, but in the relationships, traditions, and sense of community they have helped build and sustain.
Our impact is perhaps best reflected in the voices of those who have experienced it firsthand.
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“Growing up, I watched my mother give her time and energy to The Cottagers year after year. Through her dedication to the organization, I learned early what community means and what Black women can accomplish when they show up for one another. When I received a college scholarship from the Cottagers, it felt like that same spirit of generosity coming full circle — my community telling me they believed in my potential. That belief in me has stayed with me, inspiring how I show up for others every day.”
Alfie Daniels
Cottagers’ Scholarship Recipient, 1996
Alfie is currently Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale University.
She graduated in the Class of 2000 at Wellesley College. -
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"The enduring legacy of The Cottagers is not only preserved in the historic cottages of the Vineyard, but in their continued commitment to community. Through their leadership and generous support of Harbor Homes, they help strengthen the care and opportunity we provide to those we serve."
Jeannette de Jesús, MSW, MPA, CPC
Executive Director - Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Leadership & Governance
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Patricia R. Bush
President
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Linda Silva Thompson
Vice President
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Donna Boles
Treasurer
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Michele Hagans
Assistant Treasurer
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Deidre Davis-Fudge
Financial Secretary
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Marisha Clinton-Pressley
Recording Secretary
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Stephanie Browne
Corresponding Secretary
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Janet Baker
Member-at-Large
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Kim Jones
Member-at-Large
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Donna Johnson
Member-at-Large
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Verna Thompson
Parliamentarian
OUR SPONSORS
Thank You for Standing With Us
Every gift, partnership, and act of support helps us advance our mission. Together, we are preserving an important piece of Martha's Vineyard history, creating opportunities for future generations, and strengthening the community we proudly serve. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and for being part of our continuing story.
ANNUAL REPORTS
Our Accountability
Read about our programs, impact, and financial stewardship.
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