[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H1157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING THE WOMEN OF THE DIVINE NINE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Kelly) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
women of the Divine Nine, the historically Black sororities of the 
National Pan-Hellenic Council.
  I am proud to honor the organizations that have produced some of our 
Nation's best and brightest leaders. For over 100 years, these 
organizations have fostered and empowered generations of Black women to 
become leaders in government, business, academia, and so much more.
  I am not exaggerating when I say these historically Black sororities 
have shaped the course of history.
  I want to take a moment to salute each sorority.
  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority--their colors are salmon pink and apple 
green--was founded in 1908 at Howard University. Their mission: Service 
to all mankind. Their sisterhood proudly boasts Vice President Kamala 
Harris; also my colleagues, Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee, Terri 
Sewell, Frederica Wilson, Alma Adams, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Lauren 
Underwood, Emilia Sykes, and Lisa Blunt Rochester.

                              {time}  1015

  I salute former Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and also members 
of their membership, civil rights leaders Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott 
King, and their honorable president, Danette Anthony Reed.
  Next, we have Delta Sigma Theta. Their colors are crimson and cream, 
founded in 1913 at Howard University. Delta's motto is ``intelligence 
is the torch of wisdom.''
  Delta counts as sisters, my esteemed colleagues Yvette Clarke, Joyce 
Beatty, Stacey Plaskett, Lucy McBath, Summer Lee, Jasmine Crockett, 
Valerie Foushee, and our newest Member, Jennifer McClellan. I also 
salute former Congresswoman Val Demings and our HUD Secretary, Marsha 
Fudge.
  Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm was the first African-American woman 
elected to Congress, and she also was a member of Delta Sigma Theta. 
Their honorable president is Elsie Cooke-Holmes.
  Next, we have Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Their colors are blue and 
white. It was founded in 1920 at Howard University. Zeta's founding 
principles are scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.
  My colleague Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove is a member of Zeta 
Phi Beta, as well as former Congresswoman Donna Edwards and the late 
Congresswoman Julia Carson. They boast as members Anita Hill and author 
Zora Neale Hurston. Their honorable president is Stacie NC Grant.
  Last but not least, my sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. We wear 
the colors of royal blue and gold. We were founded in 1922 at Butler 
University, just celebrating our 100th year.
  My sisters in Sigma are Congresswoman Barbara Lee, as well as the 
late Congresswoman Lindy Boggs, and former Congresswoman Corrine Brown. 
In our membership is the first African-American winner of an Academy 
Award, Hattie McDaniel, and the first African-American woman journalist 
to cover the White House, Alice Allison Dunnigan. Our esteemed grand 
basileus is Rasheeda S. Liberty.
  The women of the Divine Nine have driven progress on everything from 
women's suffrage to civil rights. These organizations were instrumental 
to the end of the brutal regime of Jim Crow. Alumnae have also made 
advancements in industry, medicine, entertainment, and more.
  In short, the historically Black sororities have been critical to the 
advancement of Black women in America and have changed history for the 
better.
  Our work is far from done. The strength and solidarity of these 
organizations is needed now more than ever.
  In just the first months of 2023, our country continues to see 
efforts to turn back the clock on fundamental civil rights. Black 
people are still not safe in their own communities. Black people have 
less say in their government, and voting rights are being chipped away. 
The threat of racist violence is still painfully present in too many 
communities.
  I have so much hope in the new generation of leaders that begin their 
journey as college students with Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, 
Zeta Phi Beta, or Sigma Gamma Rho. Each year, more young people go out 
into the world to make our country a better place.
  The road ahead is long, but I am confident that our coalitions for 
justice and equality will only grow because of the continued strength 
of the women of the Divine Nine along with our five historically Black 
fraternities.

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