Detroit Alumnae History

A Brief History

Date of Establishment: May 13, 1939
Type of Chapter: Graduate
Region: Midwest

 

In 1924, Tau Chapter of Detroit, Michigan was first chartered. Undergraduate students of the University of Detroit and Wayne State University, as well as alumnae members who met Grand Chapter requirements made up Tau Chapter. The task of establishing the chapter was given to Lillian Woodyard Brown, formerly of Alpha Chapter, Howard University, Prudence Beasley Perry and Sara Pelham Speaks of Nu Chapter to make close inspection of Tau's prospective membership.

 

In 1939, graduate Sorors of Tau, who met the requirements set forth by Grand Chapter, formed a graduate chapter in Detroit, Michigan. This newly formed chapter was named Alpha Pi Sigma. Members of Tau Chapter, prior to the establishment of Alpha Pi Sigma, are either listed under charter members of Alpha Pi Sigma or under the 1939 reissue of Tau Chapter's charter. The new charter made Tau Chapter exclusively an undergraduate chapter.

 

In 1958, Grand Chapter decided that all graduate chapters were to be identified according to geographical area. Initial graduate chapters were to be identified by the name of the city and state in which they were located. It was because of the Grand Chapter's decision that Alpha Pi Sigma was designated Detroit Alumnae Chapter in 1959.

 

 

CHARTER MEMBERS:

Mamie Alexander WW Gladys Barthwell WW Marquerite M. Bleach Eleanor Boykin (Jones) Marian Carter WW Ethel Childs (Baker) WW Phyllis Colden WW Elizabeth Cole WW Irene Ducan Hortense Fears WW

Maxine Fears (Worsham) Bertha Lantoin WW Victoria McCall (Daveport) Ruby McLendon (Wills) WW Loretta McKee (Briscoe) WW WiseLucy B. Morris WW Elizabeth Morton WW Sue Morton Wilamette Mosby WW Frances Owens

Ernestine Postles Esther Randall (LaMarr) WW Ruth Routt (King) WW M. Louise Sims WW Margret Smith Zelma Sykes (Sparks) WW Marion Taylor Helen Thomas WW Edith Watson (Bland) WW