History

D9 LOVE! Here’s a List of Prominent Black Fraternity and Sorority Couples from the Early 1900s

Beautiful Black fraternity and sorority couples have existed over 100 years so let’s celebrate their love.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the prominent D9 couples from the Harlem Renaissance era. These brothers and sisters loved each other and did it all while making an impact on their community.

Check out the list below:

Paul Robeson (Alpha) & Eslanda Goode Robeson (Delta)

Eslanda Goode and Paul Robeson were married in August of 1921. This popular couple spent a majority of their professional career traveling internationally, performing in shows, and writing and speaking extensively about pan-african struggles. Goode was initiated into Alpha Beta now the New York graduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta in 1921 and Robeson was initiated into Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha at Lincoln University.

B. Beatrix Scott (AKA) & James Edward Scott (Κappa)

James Edward Scott served as the 10th Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi. In 1940, he was a member of the “Committees for Participation of Negroes in National Defense”– an advocacy group started to create more employment opportunities for African Americans in the War efforts during the on-set of World War II. Bobbie Beatrix Scott served as Alpha Kappa Alpha’s 5th Supreme Basileus from 1927-1929. During her tenure she increased the number of Foreign Fellowships the sorority awarded.

Roy W. Tibbs (Sigma) & Lillian Evanti (Ζeta)

Roy W. Tibbs, founder of the Howard University Glee Club, married world renowned opera singer Lillian Evanti in October of 1918. Tibbs was trained at Fisk University, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and did additional coursework in Paris. Evanti sang alongside the likes of Marian Anderson, in front of international audiences in South America and France, and before First Lady Roosevelt. The couple’s Washington, D.C. home was designated a National Landmark. Both Tibbs and Evanti were extended Honorary Membership into Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, respectively.

Julia Washington Bond (Delta) & Horace Mann Bond (Kappa)

Julia Washington Bond, a 1929 graduate of Fisk University, worked as a librarian. Her husband, Horace Mann Bond served as the first President of Fort-Valley State University in Georgia and Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. The couple had two children, the late civil rights activist Julian Bond and Jane Bond Moore. Horace was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and Julia was a member of Delta Sigma Theta.

Allison Davis (Omega) & Elizabeth Stubbs Davis (Delta)

Dr. Allison Davis was a gifted scholar who’s ground-breaking research on race, class, and education contributed to the creation of Federal Head Start programs throughout the country. His wife Elizabeth played an instrumental role in Allison’s research, serving as his research assistant and most trusted advisor. Allison was a member of Omega Psi Phi; Elizabeth was a member of Delta Sigma Theta— she chartered Delta’s New Orleans graduate chapter in 1936.

Judge Robert H. Terrell (Sigma) & Mary Church Terrell (Delta)

Mary Church Terrell, a leading suffragette of the 20th century, was inducted into Delta Sigma Theta as an Honorary member in the spring of 1913. Two year later she authored the Sorority’s Oath at the request of Alpha Chapter Delta Sigma Theta.

At a time when very few African Americans received federal appointment, Robert Terrell was appointed the first Black Municipal judge for the District of Columbia. Terrell was extended Honorary Membership into Phi Beta Sigma.

Henry Arthur Callis (Alpha) & Myra Colson Callis (AKA)

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity founder Dr. Henry Arthur Callis married Myra Colson Callis, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, in 1927. Dr. Callis was a physician and member of the faculty at Howard University College of Medicine; Myra Callis worked as social worker primarily with the Washington, D.C. Employment Service Center.

G. Anna Welmon (AKA) & Alexander F. Miller (Omega)

The Miller’s were a prominent Brooklyn couple. Both Anna and Alexander were educated at the City College of New York, she studied art and he studied physical education. Anna, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, taught in New York City public schools. Alexander, a member of Omega Psi Phi, a public school teacher, instructor at the YMCA, and a leader within the Brooklyn Branch of the N.A.A.C.P

Sadie T.M. Alexander (Delta) & Raymond Pace Alexander (Alpha)

*The University of Pennsylvania Digital Archive*

Sadie T.M. Alexander (left) and Raymond Pace Alexander (right) were a Philadelphia legal power-couple who wed in 1923. Sadie was the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the first African American woman admitted into the Pennsylvania Bar. Raymond, a Harvard trained attorney, served as judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Sadie T.M. Alexander served as the first National President of Delta Sigma Theta from 1919 to 1923. Raymond Pace Alexander served Alpha Phi Alpha as First Vice President from 1922 to 1924.

Ivorite L. Scruggs (Sigma) & Ruth Tappe-Scruggs (Ζeta)

Ivorite L. Scruggs (ΦΒΣ) & Ruth Tappe-Scruggs (ΖΦΒ) were the first couple to serve as National President of their respective organizations. Ivorite, a charter member of Alpha Chapter Phi Beta Sigma, was elected 2nd National President in 1917 and served until 1919. Ruth, a prominent educator from Lynchburg, Virginia, served as Zeta’s 6th National President from 1926-1930. Ivorite passed away in 1974 and Ruth passed away in 1980.

Maudelle Brown Bousfield (AKA) & Midian O. Bousfield (Κappa)

Maudelle Brown Bousfield was elected 6th Supreme Basileus in St. Louis at the sorority’s 12th Boule. She focused on the reclamation of inactive members.

Midian O. Bousfield, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, had an impressive record of achievement in his professional career. He was the first African American colonel within the Army’s Medical Corp and Chicago Public School Board.

About the author: Marquis Taylor is a senior studying history, with concentrations in African American and public history, at Howard University. In the spring of 2018, Marquis was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated’s Beta Chapter.