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Became a music teacher in the Washington, D.C. school system
Olive Claire Jones
President and valedictorian of her graduating class; married a Founder of Omega Psi Phi.
Edna Brown Coleman
First president of the Alpha Chapter; was an active member of the NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women.
Myra Davis Hemmings
Presented First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to parents at the John Wesley AME Zion Church in 1945; had interactions with multiple US Presidents, including William H. Taft and John F. Kennedy.
Florence Letcher Toms
Helped lobby Delta Sigma Theta to participate in the Women’s Suffrage March.
Jimmie Bugg Middleton
The only Founder to receive a doctorate degree
Eliza Pearl Shippen
Teacher for more than 30 years then began a career in dramatics.
Ethel Carr Watson
Graduated from the first public high school for Blacks in the U.S., known as Dunbar H.S., in Washington, D.C.
Vashti Turley Murphy
Gifted singer and actress who harnessed her vocal powers and sang for TV shows.
Zephyr Chishom Carter
Designed the ceremony for inducting Honorary Members.
Madree Penn White
Taught at Claflin College in Orangeburg, S.C.
Edith Motte Young
First corresponding secretary of Alpha Chapter; instrumental in integrating the Galveston Public School System.
Jessie McGuire Dent
Drafted the initial Constitution and Bylaws.
Madree Penn White
The first vice president of Alpha Chapter; first Black teacher in Richmond County, NY; charter member of the Queens Alumnae Chapter.
Ethel Cuff Black
Last surviving Founder in 1993; the first Black graduate of Washingtonville High School; married a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Naomi Sewell Richardson
First sergeant-at-arms of the Alpha Chapter; charter member of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter.
Frederica Chase Dodd
Author of the novel “The Valley of the Poor” about poor Blacks in the South.
Wertie Blackwell Weaver
Designed the sorority pen
Madree Pen White
Was from a small town in Belton, South Carolina.
Mamie Reddy Rose
Born in Illinois; constant supporter of Alpha Chapter.
Marguerite Young Alexander
First custodian (historian) of the Alpha Chapter; was the first Black social worker with New York City and county charities.
Winona Cargile Alexander
Served as Directress of the Harlem School of the Arts.
Osceola McCarthy Adams
Charter member of Queens (NY) alumnae chapter
Ethel Cuff Black
Excellent musician and graduated as Valedictorian of the Teachers College.
Pauline Oberdorfer Minor
Born in Winfield, Kansas, and participated in the Women’s Suffrage March in 1913 and 1981.
Bertha Pitts Campbell