Winona Cargile Alexander
Encyclopedia
Winona Cargile Alexander (June 21, 1893 – October 16, 1984) was a founder of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Incorporated at Howard University
on January 13, 1913. It was the second sorority founded for and by African-American women and was influential in women's building civic institutions and charities. In 1915, she was the first black admitted to the New York School of Philanthropy
(now Columbia University
's School of Social Work), where she received a graduate fellow
ship for her studies. She was the first African-American hired as a social worker in New York.
in 1893, the second of four daughters of Fannie and the Rev. Charles Cargile. He was an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) minister and Howard University
divinity school
graduate. Both parents encouraged their girls to get educations. Winona Cargile graduated as salutatorian
from Ballard Normal High School in Macon, Georgia
in 1910.
From there she went to Howard University in Washington, DC, the premier historically black college (HBCU) in the nation. (Her father and uncle were both alumni.) Cargile graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in English in 1914. At Howard, among other leadership activities, Cargile was one of 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1913. They wanted to have a sorority oriented to service and political activism.
. She applied for and received a graduate fellow
ship to the New York School of Philanthropy
(since 1940 Columbia University School of Social Work
). In 1915 she was the first black person admitted to the graduate studies program, and earned a degree in social work in 1916. After graduation, Cargile was the first black social worker hired for New York City and New York County Charities.
Cargile moved to Jacksonville, Florida
when hired as a social worker for what would become the Duval County Welfare Board. In 1917 she married attorney
Edward L. Alexander and moved with her husband to Switzerland, Florida
. He had a law practice. Together they also owned and operated a citrus
grove. There they also reared their family.
After her husband's death in 1943, Alexander moved her family back to Jacksonville, where they would have more opportunities. She started again in social work, first as an administrator with Travelers' Aid. She worked from 1950-1960 as admissions officer at Brewster Hospital; under segregation
of the time, it was the only city hospital to serve blacks.
Among her civic activities, Alexander founded the Jacksonville alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. She was also active in the Laura Street Presbyterian Church, where she taught and was chosen as an elder
. She served with the YWCA
, where she was on the board, and also on the Methodist Hospital Board, and other community organizations.
Edward L. Alexander. They had two sons, Edward L., Jr. and James S. Four daughters died during birth.
Alexander was active in her community throughout her life and died in 1984.
Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University...
Sorority, Incorporated at Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
on January 13, 1913. It was the second sorority founded for and by African-American women and was influential in women's building civic institutions and charities. In 1915, she was the first black admitted to the New York School of Philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
(now Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
's School of Social Work), where she received a graduate fellow
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
ship for her studies. She was the first African-American hired as a social worker in New York.
Early life and education
Winona Cargile was born in Columbus, GeorgiaColumbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
in 1893, the second of four daughters of Fannie and the Rev. Charles Cargile. He was an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) minister and Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
divinity school
Divinity School
Divinity School may refer to:* The common noun, divinity school* When used as a proper noun, may be an abbreviated reference to one of the following:** Beeson Divinity School** Berkeley Divinity School** Brite Divinity School...
graduate. Both parents encouraged their girls to get educations. Winona Cargile graduated as salutatorian
Salutatorian
Salutatorian is an academic title given, in the United States and Canada, to the second highest graduate of the entire graduating class of a specific discipline. Only the valedictorian is ranked higher. This honor is traditionally based on grade point average and number of credits taken, but...
from Ballard Normal High School in Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
in 1910.
From there she went to Howard University in Washington, DC, the premier historically black college (HBCU) in the nation. (Her father and uncle were both alumni.) Cargile graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in English in 1914. At Howard, among other leadership activities, Cargile was one of 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1913. They wanted to have a sorority oriented to service and political activism.
Career
After graduation, Cargile was hired as a high school English teacher in Sedalia, MissouriSedalia, Missouri
Sedalia is a city located about south of the Missouri River in Pettis County, Missouri. U.S. Highway 50 and U.S. Highway 65 intersect in the city. As of 2006, the city had a total population of 20,669. It is the county seat of Pettis County. The Sedalia Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of...
. She applied for and received a graduate fellow
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
ship to the New York School of Philanthropy
New York School of Philanthropy
The New York School of Philanthropy was established in 1904. The School had its origins in 1898 with the first Summer School in Philanthropic Work offered in New York City. It was the first higher education program in the United States to train people in the field of social work. It began as a...
(since 1940 Columbia University School of Social Work
Columbia University School of Social Work
The Columbia University School of Social Work is a professional program within Columbia University. With an enrollment of over 900, it is one of the largest social work programs in the United States. It is also the nation’s oldest, with roots extending back to 1898, when the New York Charity...
). In 1915 she was the first black person admitted to the graduate studies program, and earned a degree in social work in 1916. After graduation, Cargile was the first black social worker hired for New York City and New York County Charities.
Cargile moved to Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
when hired as a social worker for what would become the Duval County Welfare Board. In 1917 she married attorney
Attorney at law
An attorney at law in the United States is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on the retainer of clients. Alternative terms include counselor and lawyer...
Edward L. Alexander and moved with her husband to Switzerland, Florida
Switzerland, Florida
Switzerland, Florida is an unincorporated community in St. Johns County, Florida, United States. It is adjacent to Fruit Cove. The approximate population of Switzerland is 18,063. Switzerland is situated on the eastern bank of the St...
. He had a law practice. Together they also owned and operated a citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
grove. There they also reared their family.
After her husband's death in 1943, Alexander moved her family back to Jacksonville, where they would have more opportunities. She started again in social work, first as an administrator with Travelers' Aid. She worked from 1950-1960 as admissions officer at Brewster Hospital; under segregation
Racial segregation in the United States
Racial segregation in the United States, as a general term, included the racial segregation or hypersegregation of facilities, services, and opportunities such as housing, medical care, education, employment, and transportation along racial lines...
of the time, it was the only city hospital to serve blacks.
Among her civic activities, Alexander founded the Jacksonville alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. She was also active in the Laura Street Presbyterian Church, where she taught and was chosen as an elder
Elder (Christianity)
An elder in Christianity is a person valued for his wisdom who accordingly holds a particular position of responsibility in a Christian group. In some Christian traditions an elder is a clergy person who usually serves a local church or churches and who has been ordained to a ministry of Word,...
. She served with the YWCA
YWCA
The YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
, where she was on the board, and also on the Methodist Hospital Board, and other community organizations.
Marriage and family
In 1917 Winona Cargile married attorneyAttorney at law
An attorney at law in the United States is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on the retainer of clients. Alternative terms include counselor and lawyer...
Edward L. Alexander. They had two sons, Edward L., Jr. and James S. Four daughters died during birth.
Alexander was active in her community throughout her life and died in 1984.
Honors and Legacy
- The Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter in Jacksonville established the Winona Cargile Alexander Leadership Scholarship in her honor and award it annually to an aspiring high school graduate.
External links
- "Delta Sigma Theta Founder History", University of Texas