Women have made important contributions to our society throughout history, and March is the month to celebrate them through Women’s History Month.
There are countless African American women who have helped shape the course of future lives. Dorothy Vaughn, Katherine Johnson, and Mary Jackson are among the ranks. These brilliant women, referred to as “human computers,” helped send Americans into space and paved the way for women’s roles at NASA. Another was Jane Cooke Wright, a physician and researcher who assisted in the discovery of chemotherapy.
Among the list of trailblazing black women, you’ll find sisters from our own Divine 9 sororities. Like Vaughan, Johnson, Jackson, and Wright, these sorors have lived up to the challenge to make the world a better place. Here are a few of our unforgettable Divine 9 sisters.
Alpha Kappa Alpha: Kamala Harris
Madam Vice President Kamala Harris, the current Vice President of the United States, joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Howard University. She has broken barriers as the first African American and first Asian American vice president, as well as the highest-ranking female official in the history of the United States.
Before beginning to serve as vice president, Madam Vice President Harris was the Attorney General for California and later a congresswoman for California, where she advocated for healthcare reform, a citizenship path for undocumented immigrants, tax reform, the DREAM act, and more.
She has been named among "20 of America's Most Powerful Women" by Newsweek and Time's "Most Influential People" for three different years. Last year, she was included in Forbes’ first "50 Over 50" list.
Delta Sigma Theta: Vashti Murphy McKenzie
Vashti Murphy McKenzie made history in 2000 by becoming the first woman to be elected as bishop in the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She left a successful journalism career once she felt called to the ministry. She earned a Master’s of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity, as well as a Doctorate in Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Ohio.
As a pastor in Baltimore she expanded the ministry to the community, and also gave the closing prayer at the Democratic National Convention. Since being consecrated as a bishop, she has overseen branches of the AME church from Africa to America. President Obama invited her to join the inaugural President’s Advisory Council of the White House Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Vashti broke barriers again in 2005 by becoming the first female to hold the position of the President of the Council of Bishops, the titular head of the AME church.
She is named after her grandmother, Vashti Turley Murphy, who was one of the founding members of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority at Howard University in 1913.
Zeta Phi Beta: Grace Bumbry
Grace Bumbry took the opera world by storm. As a teen in 1954, she won a talent contest sponsored by a radio station, where the prize included a scholarship to St. Louis Institute of Music. The institution denied her entrance, however, because she was black. The contest promoters created an opportunity for her to perform “O don fatale” from Don Carlos on a nationally televised program, and that performance led her to an opportunity to study at the Boston University College of Fine Arts.
Grace studied with renowned teachers Lotte Lehmann, Marinka Gurewich, and Armand Tokatyan. She was a joint winner of the 1958 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, made her recital debut in Paris that year, and made her opera debut two years later singing at the Paris Opera and joining the Basel Opera.
In 1961 she was cast as the first black singer to appear in the Bayreuth performing as Venus in Tannhäuser. Many opera-goers were outraged at her casting, but her performance was so spectacular that the applause following the production lasted for 30 minutes. This earned her the title of “Black Venus.”
Jacqueline Kennedy invited Grace to sing at the White House. Grace also sang for Ronald Reagan’s inauguration. Her spectacular opera resume spans the globe and impressively includes roles in both the mezzo soprano and soprano vocal ranges. She has been inducted to the St. Louis Walk of Fame, was bestowed a UNESCO Award, received a Grammy for Best Opera Recording, was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors, and more.
Sigma Gamma Rho: Deshauna Barber
Deshauna Barber is a captain in the United States Army Reserve, and in 2016 was crowned Miss USA. She was the first soldier to be crowned the title of Miss USA.
Deshauna is the CEO of Service Women's Action Network (SWAN), which is a non-governmental, nonprofit advocacy program for women soldiers and veterans. She is also an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Howard University.
Deshauna travels the country as a motivational speaker. She is a survivor of child sexual abuse and, in her speeches, works to inspire other survivors. She also focuses on loss and bullying, two other trials she has endured, and she encourages everyone to love themselves and the people around them.
Many notable women have come from all four of the Divine 9 sororities. Many politicians, entertainers, community leaders, WNBA stars, authors, Olympians, artists, scientists, doctors, and teachers began their adult lives pledging into these sororities. The world is a better place because of their contributions.
At LNO Greek, we’re inspired by amazing, pioneering women the world over. We revere our Divine 9 sisters who have made their mark on this world. We love their courage to follow their dreams and be uniquely them.
We honor them with our sororities shirts and other paraphernalia that allow sisters to rep their sorority while still being true to their own style.
Did you know you’re making history in your own way? As you commit to sisterhood, service, and scholarship, you join the ranks of those who, dorm by dorm, school by school, community by community, elevate the world around them.