Sororities and fraternities can be found around the country. These organizations were formed as a way for collegiate students to create a community. For many years, however, these exclusive organizations did not allow Black students to join.
In the early 1900s, a number of Black students began to form their own fraternities and sororities, usually at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Greek organizations founded by white students banned Greek organizations founded by Black students from affiliating with them in their National Panhellenic Conference. Undaunted, nine organizations founded by Black students formed their own council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, also known as the Divine Nine. None of the chapters of these organizations that form the Divine Nine discriminate based on religion or race.
Each of these Divine Nine organizations has its unique core values, but they all work, independently and collectively, to educate and uplift the Black community.
The Divine Nine Sororities
There are four sororities in the Divine Nine, and each is rich with its own history and programs but are remarkably similar in their core values.
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was founded at Howard University in 1908. It was the first Greek organization in America created by Black women, and it now has over 300,000 members that span every state in the United States as well as several foreign countries. Alpha Kappa Alpha encourages and cultivates personal and professional development of its members and galvanizes its membership to be on the forefront of advocacy and social change for all citizens of the world.
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded in 1913 at Howard University by women who wanted to work together to promote academic excellence and serve others in need. The first public act of this sorority, just two months after it was founded, was participating in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington D.C. They currently have over 300,000 members, with over 1,000 chapters around the globe. Delta Sigma Theta implements a wide range of programs addressing education, health, international development challenges impacting the Black community. Additionally, social justice continues to be a core focus of Delta Sigma Theta, just as it was for its founders.
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded in 1920 at Howard University. Zeta Phi Beta was started by five coeds. They believed that sorority elitism and social activities should come second to addressing societal ills, prejudices, poverty, and health concerns. Members serve in community outreach programs and organized charities while promoting legislation for social and civic change. Zeta Phi Beta serves people from all levels of society through programs that address the mind, body, and spirit of individuals. The sorority has hundreds of chapters worldwide and more than 100,000 members.
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority was founded in 1922 at Butler University by school teachers. It is the only sorority of the Divine Nine that was organized at a predominantly white institution. The aim of Sigma Gamma Rho is to enhance the quality of life within the community. The hallmark of the organization's programs and activities are public service, leadership development, and the education of youth. Sigma Gamma Rho also addresses societal concerns that have educational, civic, and economic impacts. Sigma Gamma Rho has over 85,000 members throughout the United States and several international countries.
The fraternities that make up the rest of the Divine Nine are the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (founded in 1906), the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (founded in 1911), the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (founded in 1911), the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (founded in 1914), and the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (founded in 1963).
Contributions to Society
For over a century, these Divine Nine sororities have created space for Black women to network, serve, and excel. They have supported Black women in making connections, not only socially but also professionally. These organizations all have a strong focus on camaraderie, excellence, and service.
Chapters of these sororities can be found across the United States and around the world. These chapters work to uplift their communities and stay involved in social justice causes. From their founding to now, these sororities are heavily involved with addressing equality for women and people of color. They have been active in many movements, including Women's Suffrage, Civil Rights, and Black Lives Matter. They also band together to give voice to important legislative matters.
Divine Nine organizations have hosted mentorships to youth, raised and donated millions of dollars for scholarships, held healthy living symposiums, organized food drives, held voter registration drives, purchased land for the homeless population, addressed mental health issues among people of color, tutored young students, organized legislative advocacy events, and so much more.
For members of the Divine Nine, membership is not just a collegiate experience or gaining lifelong friends. Joining is a lifelong commitment to making positive changes in communities all over the world.
Because membership is a lifelong commitment, you will see women sporting their Divine Nine apparel long after they have joined their sorority. As a longtime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, I also love repping my sorority. As such, I was inspired to launch my online store featuring Delta Sigma Theta paraphernalia and clothing.
One hundred years later, the Divine Nine Sororities continue to positively impact communities and the lives of individuals and its members. These sororities are much more than colors and symbols, they change lives, they make history.