Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho Have Issued Responses to Donald Trump’s ‘Sorority Party’ Statements

Two prominent Black sororities, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., have issued public responses to former President Donald J. Trump for his recent remarks criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris for speaking at their conventions and characterizing them as a “sorority party.”

On September 11, the morning after Trump had mentioned the “sorority party” during his presidential debate with Harris, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. responded to Mr. Trump’s comments, which were made in reference to their International Grand Boule held in July in Indianapolis. In a statement, the sorority described the event as a “biennial national convention” that serves as a formal business meeting to outline the organization’s programmatic goals and celebrate past achievements.

“Unlike Former President Donald Trump’s statement that the event was a ‘sorority party,’ our International Grand Boule is our sorority’s biennial national convention,” the statement read. “As one of the country’s leading women’s service organizations founded by five Black women, our national convention is key to continuing a legacy of success that proudly began on January 16, 1920 and has positively impacted the lives of over 5 million Americans across the United States.”

Zeta Phi Beta further criticized Mr. Trump’s remarks as “disheartening” and “disrespectful” to the sorority and other historically Black Greek letter organizations, collectively known as the Divine Nine. The statement noted that these organizations have been at the forefront of social action and advocacy efforts benefiting Black Americans, women, and other marginalized groups.

“Former President Donald Trump’s efforts to undermine the credibility of the importance of our national convention is not only disheartening, but also disrespectful to us and the other historically Black Greek Letter Organizations that make up the Divine Nine,” the statement continued. “Collectively, our organizations have been on the forefront of historic social action and change that have helped Black Americans, women, and other disenfranchised communities gain access to the same civil rights that were once legally denied our communities.”

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. issued its own statement last month on August 22, responding to what it described as Mr. Trump’s “unfortunate” remarks. The sorority, which held its 60th Biennial Boule in Houston where Harris addressed attendees, emphasized its contributions to community service and the significant economic and philanthropic impact of its gathering, which generated $10 million in economic activity and more than $550,000 in direct support to the Houston area.

“This event was not a party or ‘unimportant’ as referenced by former President Donald Trump, but an opportunity to highlight our organization’s achievements and reaffirm our commitment to service,” the statement said. “The primary purpose and focus of Divine Nine organizations is to remain committed to community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.”

Founded in 1922 at Butler University in Indianapolis, Sigma Gamma Rho has grown into a global organization with over 100,000 members and 500 chapters. The sorority emphasized that its Boule was an opportunity to advance discussions on critical issues such as education, women’s rights, maternal health, mental health, and voting rights.

Both sororities have underscored their commitment to continuing their advocacy and service work despite Mr. Trump’s comments, which they view as an attempt to undermine the legitimacy and seriousness of their missions.

The responses come amid a broader effort by historically Black Greek organizations to mobilize voters and advocate for social justice, a role that has been particularly visible in recent years. Zeta Phi Beta noted that the organization has joined forces with other Divine Nine organizations in a nationwide non-partisan voter mobilization effort.

“Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. continues to work hard toward social, health, and economic justice in the communities around the world we serve,” the sorority stated. “We will not let the hard work and legacy of our members be framed as a ‘sorority party.’”

Both Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho, along with the other seven organizations that comprise the Divine Nine, have long histories of advancing civil rights, social action, and community service, efforts that their leaders say will continue unabated.