Sorority Sisters of Delta Sigma Theta March To Re-enact Women’s Suffrage Movement
By Staff
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded in 1913 by twenty-two black female collegians on the campus of Howard University. These young women wanted to promote academic excellence, sisterhood and relief for persons in need. The first public act performed by the sorority founders involved the participation in the Women’s Suffrage March in Washington, D.C. that same year. On the day of the march, violence erupted after the parade began when the crowd broke through steel cables and spilled into the street. Many of the men in attendance acted crudely, spitting on marchers, grabbing their clothing and shouting epithets. At the end of the day, 100 marchers were taken to the local infirmary. Seven years later, the 19th Amendment was passed, guaranteeing women the right to vote.
Challenging the status quo was not easy for white women, and it was extraordinarily difficult for African American women given the racism of the era. Thousands of Delta Sigma Theta members commemorated the 100th anniversary of the march and the role that the organization’s founding members played in history. They honored those women before them by marching from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, taking a detour by diverting from the Mall to walk past the White House.
The March begin with a rally that recognized the founders, growth and development of the organization and its estimated 300, 000 members from all over the world. African American women have come a long way since those tumultuous days, and there is still more to be done in the name of freedom’s dreams.
The Women who founded DST were dynamic fighters for Civil Rights…and this march is a great way to honor all that they did to help improve the plight of Black women.
It is ironic and shameful that we have a case before the SUPREME COURT right now (at the time of this march) that is aiming at gutting the VOTING RIGHTS LAWS…and seeking to turn back the hands of time… “back to the future — to 1955…or maybe 1855).
We have too many in the Congress too…who would gut these laws that protect the rights of women, Blacks, minority groups, and the disabled — if they could get the chance to do it.
So… keep on marching, keep on fighting…and keep on doing what is right for the people.
*Suggested books = LIBERTY’S LEGACY…. and…
… BRAVE LIKE ME (En-Courage-ment from Black Achievers)…
(amazon.com)
Sorors, thanks for all your strength, I’m very proud of who you are – stay Strong!
I crossed over 02/17/1997 – Eta Omega
Correct me if I’m wrong, but black women were still not able to vote, even when white women were granted the right to. My goodness, we are always so busy joining causes that has nothing to do with us. If they want to reenact something, try when BLACK women were able to vote. Sheesh
Latrice your statement is incorrect. 1920 marked the end of the Women’s Suffrage movement and ALL women across the board were allowed to vote regardless of their race. BTW it doesn’t hurt to join a cause that may not necessarily be about you. It’s extremely empowering to stand up to societal injustices. The civil rights movement in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries did a lot to protect the rights of vulnerable minority groups. People from all walks of life stood for a cause that may not have been about them but they knew it was wrong and changes needed to occur. Yes, I agree with you that we (African American community) need to band together, bond and grow as a race but in the process lets not keep a shut eye to the prejudice, inequalities and discrimination going on because you think it has nothing to do with you at that particular time. The key to addressing any form of social injustice is ACTION. The goal should be to protect human rights, speak out against stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination and stand up for ANY sort of social justice whether these acts hit home or not. Stand up for your neighbor today and they will be able to back you up tomorrow. When you turn your back; sadly, you break the platform for community advancement. Okay, back to my homework now and don’t take this personal. -EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS. LET’S LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER. PEACE N LOVE. -OO-OOP