Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. (SΦS) is a non-profit social fellowship, as opposed to a traditional Greek lettered sorority. It was founded in 1969 at at Winston Salem State University.
Swing Phi Swing | |
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SΦS | |
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Founded | April 4, 1969 Winston-Salem State University |
Type | Social Fellowship |
Affiliation | Independent |
Status | Active |
Emphasis | African American |
Scope | National |
Motto | "Perseverance by Virtue" |
Colors | White and Black |
Chapters | 36 (active) |
Nickname | Swing |
Headquarters | P.O. Box 50371 Washington, D.C. 20091-0371 United States |
Website | www.swingphiswing.org |
History
editSwing Phi Swing was founded at Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Friday, April 4, 1969, the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It founders welve African-American women, helped by the brothers of Groove Phi Groove.
The twelve founders were:
- Jeanette Butler
- Anita Chase (Watson)
- Beverly Dorn (Steele)
- Finesia Dunovant (Walker)
- Jane Harris (Madison)
- Rosiland Marshall (Tandy)
- Marilyn Reid (Hill)
- Patricia Story (Edwards)
- Ellen Tomlinson (Carter)
- Brenda Travers (Satterfield)
- Lorraine Watkins (Phillips)
- Talma Woods (Brayboy)
The founders wantd to challeng the traditional Black Greek-Lettered organizations by creating a fellowship of women committed to community service, promoting and achieving academic excellence, and strengthening community involvement and engagement through culturally conscious events and activities.
During the 1970s, Swing Phi Swing's membership grew as Black college women across the South, the Midwest and the East Coast heard of an afro-centric organization. Chapters were started at prominent historically Black colleges and universities such as Hampton University (Hampton Institute), Morgan State University, Tuskegee University, Wilberforce University, Shaw University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Today, Swing has over 50 graduate and undergraduate chapters throughout the United States.
On April 4, 2019, Swing Phi Swing celebrated their 50th anniversary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina during their National Convention. Ten of the surviving founders attended the convention and were present to describe how they founded the organization.
Governance
editThe National Organization of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship is managed and operated by Board of Directors, Executive Officers and Regional Directors.[1]
Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship Inc. is divided into seven regions across the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Each region is directed by a Regional Director who monitors all chapters and members-at-large in her jurisdiction.[2]
Chapters
editGraduate chapters
edit- Ajeya Graduate Chapter - Central New Jersey
- Ashanti Zuri Graduate Chapter- Atlanta, GA
- Atlanta Graduate Chapter - Atlanta, GA
- Boston Graduate Chapter
- Central Carolina Graduate Chapter - Raleigh, Durham
- Charlotte Graduate Chapter - Charlotte, NC
- Dada Rafiki Tri-County Graduate Chapter- PA
- DC Metro Graduate Chapter – Washington, D.C.
- Detroit Graduate Chapter - Detroit, MI
- DFW Graduate Chapter - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Garden State Graduate Chapter - Northern New Jersey
- Hampton Roads Graduate Chapter - Hampton Roads, VA
- Haraambe Graduate Chapter – Fayetteville, NC
- Houston Graduate Chapter- Houston, TX
- Imani Kuumba Graduate Chapter - New Jersey
- Kemet PA Graduate Chapter - Pennsylvania
- Los Angeles Graduate Chapter - Los Angeles, CA/Southern California
- Mid South Graduate Chapter – Memphis, TN
- The Greater New York & Connecticut Graduate Chapter - New York, Connecticut
- New Jersey Zuri Obinrin Abike Aye' Graduate Chapter - New Jersey
- Nia Maryland Graduate Chapter - Baltimore, MD
- Niara Atanipenda Graduate Chapter - Greensboro, High Point
- Okimma Delaware Graduate Chapter - Delaware
- Palmetto Graduate Chapter - Charleston, SC
- Potomac Graduate Chapter - DC, Maryland, Virginia
- Philadelphia Graduate Chapter - Philadelphia
- Raleigh Graduate Chapter - Raleigh, NC
- Richmond Graduate Chapter - Richmond, VA
- Rukiya Busara Piedmont Triad Graduate Chapter – Winston-Salem, NC
- Sankofa Graduate Chapter - Las Vegas, Nevada/Southern California
- Siku Mpya Graduate Chapter- Florida
- Tri-State Graduate Chapter - New York, New Jersey, Connecticut
Undergraduate chapters
edit- Abeo Neema Undergraduate Chapter - University of Michigan
- Aggie Undergraduate Chapter- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- Ainka Makeda Marali Moliehi Undergraduate Chapter - Pennsylvania State University
- Andile Engara Undergraduate Chapter - University of North Carolina - Greensboro
- Awon Egbe Obirin Otito Undergraduate Chapter - Grambling State University
- Bison Undergraduate Chapter - Howard University
- Ebony Undergraduate Chapter - South Carolina State University and Benedict College
- Endesha Baraka Eagle Chapter - Coppin State University
- Gendaga Bimbisha Tabu Undergraduate Chapter - Lincoln University
- Golden Undergraduate Chapter - Johnson C. Smith University
- Mother (Groove) Undergraduate Chapter - Winston-Salem State University
- Harambee II - Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University
- Maatkare Hatshepsut Bulldog Undergraduate Chapter - Bowie State University
- Maisha New Birth Undergraduate Chapter - University of Maryland-Eastern Shore
- Maraabe Undergraduate Chapter - Rosemont College, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and Temple University
- Marali Nubia Bear Undergraduate Chapter - Morgan State University, Towson University
- Masika Ghayda Niara Undergraduate Chapter - College of New Rochelle
- Muntu Undergraduate Chapter - Shaw University
- Nandi Undergraduate Chapter - Rutgers University
- Ndada Amuka Kwa Pindua Undergraduate Chapter - Adelphi University
- Ndada Vumilia Daima Inuka Undergraduate Chapter - Mercy College
- Ndada Weuse Panda Undergraduate Chapter - Montclair State University
- Nguvu Katika Mwanzo Mpya Undergraduate Chapter - Loyola University New Orleans
- Njoki Mayasa Nyawela Undergraduate Chapter - Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
- Nkijha Undergraduate Chapter - St. Augustine's University
- Odu Ifa Undergraduate Chapter - Virginia Commonwealth University
- Orita Undergraduate Chapter - Prairie View A&M University
- Osei Fola Simba Undergraduate Chapter - Syracuse University
- SOBU Undergraduate Chapter - North Carolina Central University
- Spartan Undergraduate Chapter - Norfolk State University
- Subira Chemwuapu Undergraduate Chapter - Johnson & Wales University, Providence RI
- SUNY Undergraduate Chapter -State University of New York, Albany NY
- Siyanda Undergraduate Chapter - East Carolina University
- Umoja Undergraduate Chapter - Livingstone College
- Upenda Undergraduate Chapter - Hampton University
- Harambee I Undergraduate Chapter - Elizabeth City State University