Although Bertha Pitts Campbell devoted her life to many causes that improved the lives of people and strengthened her community, none meant more to her than Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, which she and twenty-one other women founded in 1913 while attending Howard University. Through memories of Founder Campbell's sorors and family, four sister-friends share the achievements of an extraordinary woman who always lived life to the fullest and exceeded her goals. As a visionary member of the sorority, Founder Campbell marched in the 1913 Suffrage Parade for women's voting rights, orchestrated the sorority's international public service efforts, and helped transform the history of women and people of color. Her journey through life makes clear the fact that she was a brilliant thinker, passionate change agent, and empathetic leader who continuously strived for excellence. This biography tells the compelling history of the ideal Delta Girl who continues to inspire her sorors to live, live, live!

Breaking glass ceilings, organizing clubs, and making history as the first in their fields, these trailblazing Black women paved the way for new generations. From Nettie Craig Asberry, founder of the Tacoma NAACP, to Dr. Dolores Silas, now honored by a school bearing her name, these women forged a path amid adversity. Black women were crucial to the war effort, working as Rosies at Boeing during World War II, and in the post-war years, Seattle musicians like Edyth Turnham and Her Knights of Syncopation were in high demand. These teachers, scientists, and politicians served on boards, led protests, and fought for civil rights across the state. Join author and historian Marilyn Morgan as she chronicles the incredible lives and contributions of Washington's Black women.

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The book explores the nature of public conscience, the influence of the generation that came of age in the Progressive Era on the modern civil rights movements, the nature of women’s leadership, the dynamics of civil rights in a multi-racial context, and the way in which religion plays a role in broader social movements. These two ecumenical groups can be credited with contributing to Seattle’s relatively peaceful engagement with the civil rights movement compared to other cities in the United States during the 1960s.

“A masterpiece of multidisciplinary scholarship that clearly demonstrates the contemporary relevance of black fraternities and sororities.” —Hasan Kwame Jeffries, author of Bloody Lowndes During the twentieth century, black Greek-Letter organizations (BGLOs) united college students dedicated to excellence, fostered kinship, and uplifted African Americans. Members of these organizations include remarkable and influential individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, novelist Toni Morrison, and Wall Street pioneer Reginald F. Lewis. Despite the profound influence of these groups, many now question the continuing relevance of BGLOs, arguing that their golden age has passed. To foster a greater engagement with the history and contributions of BGLOs, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century brings together an impressive group of authors to explore the contributions and continuing possibilities of BGLOs and their members. Editor Gregory S. Parks and the contributing authors provide historical context for the development of BGLOs, exploring their service activities as well as their relationships with other prominent African American institutions. Both internally and externally, BGLOs struggle to forge a relevant identity for the new century. Internally, these groups wrestle with many issues, including hazing, homophobia, petty intergroup competition, and the difficulty of bridging the divide between college and alumni members. Externally, BGLOs face the challenge of rededicating themselves to their communities and leading an aggressive campaign against modern forms of racism, sexism, and other types of fear-driven behavior. By embracing the history of these organizations and exploring their continuing viability and relevance, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century demonstrates that BGLOs can create a positive and enduring future and that their most important work lies ahead.

A fascinating story exists just below Seattles surface, buried in the citys many historic cemeteries. Founded in 1872 on land acquired from Doc Maynard, Lake View Cemetery holds the remains of one of Seattles favorite sons, Bruce Lee, whose son Brandon Lee is buried beside him. Maynard is also buried here, along with most of the Seattle pioneers, including the Dennys, Borens, Maynards, Yeslers, and Morans. Princess Angeline, Chief Sealths daughter, was buried here in a canoe-shaped coffin, and Madame Damnables remains supposedly turned to stone. Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery, founded in 1884 by the Denny family, contains Judge Thomas Burke, known as the man who built Seattle; a Veterans Memorial Cemetery dating from the Civil War; and two cannons from the USS Constitution, famously nicknamed Old Ironsides. Mount Pleasant Cemetery, founded in 1883 in Queen Anne, is the final resting place of the labor martyrs of the Everett Massacre and William Bell, of Belltown fame. Remembrance benches for Nirvanas Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrixs memorial are also local landmarks.

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