Josephine Bond Hebron

Josephine (Josie) Bond Hebron (November 22, 1894 - February 1982) was an avid traveler, business woman, author/publisher and an African-American pioneer. She was the cousin of the African-American composer and pianist Carl Rossini Diton and sister of the African-American composer and pianist John Harvey Hebron, Marian Anderson’s accompanist and piano teacher.

After starting a funeral home in Philadelphia with her husband, Paul Farwell Keene Sr., Hebron co-founded the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Incorporated (NANBPWC, Inc.). In July 1935, Ollie Chinn Porter, President of the New York Club, extended an invitation to local clubs, organized as Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, to join and form a national organization. The Founders were Emma Odessa Young, Ollie Chinn Porter and Effie Diton of New York City; Bertha Perry Rhodes, Josephine B. Keene and Adelaide Flemming of Philadelphia; and Pearl Flippen of Atlantic City.

In 1939, Josephine authored and published the Directory of Negro business and professional women of Philadelphia and vicinity. Josephine loved to travel visiting among many places, the West Indies as well as Europe. Josephine and Paul had two boys and two girls, including renowned artist Paul F. Keene Jr.