June 1951, Frankie Drayton Thomas and Gwendolyn Baker Rodgers were prompted to call together women with similar ideas, principles and backgrounds to embark upon a diversified front. These empowering philanthropists envisioned a towering organization that would one day become the mecca of Finer Womanhood representing unified black women of distinction. Thus, the Charmettes, Inc., was born in Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Florida.

Gwen and Frankie called together selective  friends of long standing that thought it proper and fitting to organize a network of community strength. The persons responding to the inquiry were: Geneva Boyton, Miriam Saunders, Yvonne Reynolds, Edith Coleman and Doris Williams. After this initial meeting we agreed to contact other friends with common bonds; Ann Jones, Vivian Scott and Lula Thomas.

Yvonne Reynolds is credited with naming the group. When she suggested Charmettes as a name for the organization each member accepted it with admiration and appreciation. The initializing officers were: Ann Jones, President; Frankie Thomas, Vice President; Miriam Saunders, Secretary; Gwendolyn Rodgers, Treasurer and Lula Thomas, Chaplain. Soon after the inception Ann Jones moved to Ft. Lauderdale. Frankie Thomas assumed the position of presidency, Gwen accpted the vice presidency and Yvonne accepted the treasurer's position.

Prior to our first annual dance in 1952, we had recruited; Elizabeth Scott Mays, Ernestine Davis Phillips and Willie Mae Watson Jones. During this dance ladies from Dade County showed an interest in our group. The idea to expand was tossed around among the established members for three years. The final decisision was to allow others into Charmettes and become a corporation. Thus, in 1955, The Charmettes, Inc., was incorporated locally. May of 1955 Daed County Chapter of The Charmettes, Inc., was installed moving Charmettes to a new era of growth and mobilization. In 1957, we expanded our recruitment to Broward County.

During this important time period in channeling Charmettes, Inc., we realized the need for a governing body and the Executive Board was implemented with Eunice W. Thompson as the first National President. The first General Meeting was held in Miami under the presidency of Althmeana Sample, President of the Dade County Chapter.

During the following three years Charmettes, Inc., was in a quiescent period, however, we continued to grow internally. We began to look at life in a defined vein, although we realized our needs and a desire to continue our social image. In an effort to fulfill a civic need, in 1959, we purchased a life membership in the NAACP and a plaque of recognition was sent to us in 1962 after receiving payment in full.

In 1962, we bonded when Dade County published and sent out our first annual CHARMETTES' NEWSLETTER. 

Because of the untimely death of our beloved Preseident, John F. Kennedy, in the fall of 1963, we along with millions other Americans were affected by his death. We felt the need to contribute in some way to help keep his memory alive. Therefore, we contributed five hundred dollars to the J.F.K Memorial Library at Harvard University. We, also became incorporated on a statewide level in 1963. In addition to these noteworthy events, Charmettes everywhere on the local levels have contributed to or spearheaded many charitable causes and worthwhile events.