Center for Research on African American Women renames scholarly journal: PHILLIS

The Sister Scholars Advisory Council (SSAC) for The Center serves as the editorial review committee and is responsible for renaming the journal.  Dr. Alison J. Harmon, president of Foundation board and chair of SSAC, explains that the journal is named in honor of Phillis Wheatley, a slave who was the first African American to publish a book in America.

“We are extremely proud to uphold the tradition of scholarship of Phillis Wheatley and preserve her legacy of excellence by naming our scholarly journal in her honor.  She was a remarkable woman, overcoming slavery, learning to read and write, and soaring to the height of writing a book.  Just as the Foundation is committed to improving the lives of African American women and their families, we are equally devoted to educating our supporters about the contributions of African American women, particularly about our ancestors on whose shoulders we stand today.” 

Two members of the SSAC who are noted authors and college professors, Dr. Darlene Clark Hine of Northwestern University and Paula J. Giddings of Smith College are serving as co-guest editors of the inaugural issue of PHILLIS, which addresses the theme of trauma and African American women.  Other members of the SSAC contributing essays to the upcoming journal are Dr. Harmon of Youngstown State University, Dr. Celeste Watkins-Hayes of Northwestern, Dr. Ramla Bandele of Indiana University, and Dr. Elizabeth Clark-Lewis of Howard University.  Also contributing essays to the journal are Dr. Thavolia Glymph of Duke University, Dr. Ida Jones of the Moorland Spingarn Research Center (Howard University), Zinga A. Fraser, doctoral candidate at Northwestern University and the 2009-10 Vivian A. Ware Research Fellow, and Deborah Peaks Coleman, program officer at The Delta Foundation.  In addition to the essays and book reviews, the journal will feature a new section entitled “Voices,” where women from throughout the diaspora will share personal narratives. In the first issue, the writers will share a personal story about a traumatic experience that they have endured in their lives. 

The great poet Phillis Wheatley was born around 1753 in Gambia, Africa, and died on December 5, 1784 in Boston of a possible childbirth infection.  She was sold, in Boston, to John and Susanna Wheatley on July 11, 1761.  The Wheatleys named her Phillis, probably derived from the slave ship that brought her to America, The Phillis. Susanna Wheatley taught her how to read and promoted the publication of Phillis' earliest poems in the local newspapers. Phillis Wheatley published her first poem on December 21, 1765 in the Newport Mercury.  Her first book of poetry was published in London in 1773, entitled, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.  The Wheatleys granted her freedom in 1773.

Visual Artist Creates Work to Benefit Foundation

 On the occasion of the spring fund raiser presented by the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (The Delta Foundation), an original work of art was created by noted printmaker Laurel Tucker Duplessis of Hampton, VA.  The fund raiser, held April 29, 2010 was a benefit performance of Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies,” the musical stage play recently at Washington, D.C.’s historic Lincoln Theater. In support of the fund raising theater event, Duplessis created an original painting of Duke Ellington.  Limited edition prints of the painting are being made, with the sale proceeds benefiting The Delta Foundation. 

The painting by Duplessis was unveiled at the post-performance reception, where The Delta Foundation recognized the April 29th birthday of the world renowned composer and musician Edward “Duke” Kennedy Ellington.  When asked why she created the painting of Ellington, the artist replied:  “I wanted to do something special to honor the musical legacy and genius of Duke Ellington while also raising funds for our Sorority’s foundation.”  Duplessis is a former member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s National Commission on Arts and Letters, and was the 2008 recipients of the “Keeper of the Flame Award” presented by the Delta Grand Chapter. 

Suzzanne Douglas Cobb, actress and honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta, gave remarks, recognizing the April 29^th birthday of “The Duke.”  An Honorary Co-Chair of the Sorority’s National Commission on Arts and Letters, Douglas Cobb stated that Ellington was a music icon with a career spanning 50 years as a composer, arranger, pianist, big band leader, and jazz musician.  “He created a strong legacy, he was brilliant; he was noted for centering his music around a theme that reflected the African American lifestyle,” said Douglas Cobb. Duke Ellington, a native of Washington, D.C., died in 1974.

The Delta Foundation President Alison J. Harmon and DST National President Cynthia Butler McIntyre extended greetings at the reception and Madeliene H. Dobbins, Esq., director and chief administrative, expressed gratitude to the event sponsors, individual supporters, and volunteers.  Members of the “Sophisticated Ladies” cast attended the post-performance reception, along with members of the Foundation’s Board of directors, members of the Delta Sorority Executive Board, and other supporters.  Broadway legend and choreographer Maurice Hines, who starred in the performance, attended the reception along with actresses, Demoya Watson, a Delta Sorority member, who made her acting debut in “Sophisticated Ladies and Broadway veteran actress Marva Hicks.  The talented, dancing sensational teenaged brothers, John Manzari and Leo Manzari of Washington, were also in attendance.

National Reading Circle Announces New Book

The reading selection of the National Reading Circle of the Center for Research on African American Women (The Center) for the 2010-11 fiscal year was announced at the 50th National Convention of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (July 29-August 4, 2010).  Click here to learn more

The first book selection (2009-10 fiscal year) was IDA:  A Sword Among Lions by Paula J. Giddings. Reading Circle members are continuing to read this 800-page book through the end of the 2010 calendar. Reading Circles have formed in the following cities to read and discuss IDA:  Baltimore, MD; Washington, D.C., Hampton, VA; Dallas, TX; New York City, Memphis, TN; and Denver, CO.  Persons interested in forming a Reading Circle in their community, should contact dpcoleman@deltafoundation.net.  Readers Guide for IDA still available.

Vivian A. Ware Research Fellow Conducts Research on Black Women Elected Officials 

  Zinga A. Fraser, the 2009-10 Vivian A. Ware Research Fellow at the Foundation’s Center for Research on African American Women (The Center), is conducting original research on Black women elected officials.  Her findings will result in The Center’s establishment of an online repository of “Black Women Elected Officials from 1928 to 2010.”  The Center’s online repository identifies Black women elected officials and their contributions to advance legislation and public policy.  The Center’s online repository will include persons elected to the U.S. Congress, state legislature, and large city mayors.

Fraser is a doctoral candidate in African American Studies at Northwestern University.  At the 2010 annual Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital social action event, she presented a slide show that saluted “Black Women’s Political Activism.” Her fellowship with The Delta Foundation will conclude with the debut of the online repository at the end of August 2010.

Remembering the Legacy of IDA B. WELLS:  A Call for Service and Social Action 

The Delta Foundation collaborated with Shelby County (TN) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis to present a weekend celebration, commemorating the life of Ida B. Wells on March 12-13, 2010 in Memphis, TN.  The weekend gathering entitled, “Remembering the Legacy of Ida B. Wells:  A Call for Service and Social Action was an outcome of the National Reading Circle, and was held in Memphis, a city where Ida lived for many years.  The Ida weekend commemoration began with a heritage tour on Saturday, March 13, visiting historic sites that the noted anti-lynching crusader frequented in Memphis, TN and Holly Springs, MS, her birthplace.  On that afternoon, Paula J. Giddings gave an author’s talk at the Germantown Performing Arts Center, followed by a book signing.

The three collaborating organizations considered the Ida weekend program to be the beginning of a major woman led effort to preserve the legacy of political icon Ida B. Wells.