Today, as the Black Lives Matter movement spreads across the U.S., members of the nation’s nine historically Black Greek- letter organizations (four sororities and five fraternities) are among those participating in marches, rallies, occupations, die-ins and demonstrations.

“They also registered voters,marched and went to jail while fighting for freedom in the Civil Rights Movement.” “Black sororities have been involved in the push for women’s suffrage, and they’ve launched rural schools and health initiatives for the poor,” says Clara Small, a professor emeritus of history at Salisbury University in Maryland.

These sororities-along with Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho, which were established later- have used service as a means to mold America’s social and civil rights landscape.

In the early 1900’s, amid an endemic culture of racism and segregation, Black women first formed Alpha Kappa Alpha and then Delta Sigma Theta on the campus of Howard University to promote education, uplift communities and engage in philanthropy. Indeed African-American sororities have a storied history of activism in America. “It felt like we were doing service in line with the founding ideals and principles of our organization.” “We attended a town hall meeting took part in a peace rally led by religious leaders and donated toiletries to the Gilmor Homes housing project, where Freddie Gray lived,” says Green. “Once I heard what was happening, my mind immediately went to support efforts.”Īs Maryland state director of Zeta Phi Beta, Green galvanized fellow sorority sisters to assist the local community. “I was getting calls and texts from family and friends about the rioting,” recalls Green, 41, a public school administrator who lives in Baltimore. The 25-year-old Black man had died on April 19, one week after being arrested by Baltimore police and sustaining fatal spinal cord injuries.

Owens takes a look at the changing landscape of Civil Rights in America and considers the role Black sororities play in today’s movement.ĭanielle Green was at work in Washington, D.C., when Baltimore erupted in protests and riots on April 27 just hours after the funeral of Freddie Gray.

Sister soldier life after death