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Swing Phi Swing

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Swing Phi Swing
SΦS
FoundedApril 4, 1969; 55 years ago (1969-04-04)
Winston-Salem State University
TypeSocial Fellowship
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisAfrican American
ScopeNational
Motto"Perseverance by Virtue"
Colors  White and   Black
Chapters36 (active)
HeadquartersSwing Phi Swing National Office
P.O. Box 50371
Washington, DC 20091-0371
United States
Websitewww.swingphiswing.org

Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. (SΦS) is a non-profit social fellowship, as opposed to a traditional Greek lettered sorority. It was founded as an alternative to historically Black sororities.[citation needed]

History

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Swing Phi Swing was founded at Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at the conclusion of the Civil Rights Movement and the burgeoning of the Black Power Movement. Twelve African-American women, with the help of their brother organization Groove Phi Groove, founded Swing Phi Swing on Friday, April 4, 1969, on the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At a time of social unrest, these twelve young women created an organization that would honor the trailblazers of the Civil Rights Movement and their legacy.

These women dared to be different by challenging the traditional membership in Black Greek-Lettered organizations and chose to create a fellowship of women committed to meaningful community service, promoting and achieving academic excellence, and strengthening community involvement and engagement through culturally conscious events and activities. Swing Phi Swing ignited a flame that influenced thousands of women to follow in their footsteps. Their pioneering spirit continues to burn in the hearts of many Sisters, transcending the boundaries of geography, social class, complexion, and religious affiliation. Today, Swing has over 50 graduate and undergraduate chapters throughout the United States.

The twelve founders are:

  • 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 founding date is the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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 (Tuskegee Institute), Wilberforce University, Shaw University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

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.

Demographics

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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.[1]

Regions

  • Mid-Atlantic DE | MD | OH | PA | VA | WV | DC
  • Midwest IL | IN | IA | KY | MI | MN | WI
  • Northeast CT | ME | MA | NH | NJ | NY | RI | VT
  • Northwest AK | ID | MT | NE | ND | SD | OR | WA | WY
  • South-Central AR | KS | LA | MO | OK | TX
  • Southeast AL | FL | GA | MS | NC | SC | TN
  • Southwest AZ | CA | CO | HI | NM | NV | UT

Leadership

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The National Organization of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship is managed and operated by Board of Directors, Executive Officers and Regional Directors.[2]

National Presidents

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  • 1. Founder Marilyn Reid-Hill-
  • 2. Carlenia Graham Ivory-
  • 3. Debra Cauthen Jones/Donna Simmons-
  • 4. Linda Smith-
  • 5. Tanya McKoy-
  • 6. Cheryl Kornegay-
  • 7. Tanya Mckoy-Sutton-
  • 8 Sharon Chandler-Thomas-
  • 9. Dr. Leone Lettsome-2012 to 2018
  • 10. Lori Gittens -
  • 11. Debra McKoy-Present

Current Graduate Chapters

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  • 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

Current Undergraduate Chapters

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References

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  1. ^ "Leadership".
  2. ^ "Swing Phi Swing SFI".
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