 Their stated primary concerns included improving community leadership roles for women, giving access to affordable day care, neighborhood-based college programs for female returning students, advocating for the Displaced Homemakers bill, working towards neighborhood revitalization, eliminating redlining, establishing seniors centers, establishing shelters for battered women, supporting the J.P. Stevens textile boycott, and supporting affirmative action for women.NCNW's first program was a community-based higher education project, which started in 1975.The organization worked with Empire State College and community colleges and helped design courses for adult women, active within their communities, seeking to become better leaders through knowledge and improved skills.