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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)
NicknameSwing
HeadquartersP.O. Box 50371
Washington, D.C. 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 in 1969 at Winston Salem State University.

History

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Swing 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 were twelve 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 wanted to challenge 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

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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.[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

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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

Undergraduate chapters

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References

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