The Megaphone

Black History Month Through the Ages

Photo courtesy of africanamericanhistorymonth.gov

By: Amy Gu

History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again. -Maya Angelou

1863

The Emancipation Proclamation legally frees black slaves from bondage.

1908

The first black women’s sorority, AKA was charted.

1923

Williamson County persecutes Klu Klux Klan member for assaulting a salesman.

1926

Historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for Study of Negro Life and History designated a “Negro History Week” to occur on the second week of February.

1964

The Civil Right Movements.

March 7, 1965

600 civil rights marchers march from Selma to the Alabama capital, Montgomery, drawing attention to voter inequity.

1968

Southwestern officializes racially integrated housing.

1984

Early Moseley becomes the first black student to pledge for Pi Kappa Alpha at Southwestern.

1985

Dr. Melissa Johnson and Dr. Kathleen Juhl initiate the Diversity Enrichment Committee (DEC) at Southwestern.

1976 and onwards

Every year, the US President in office has declared February Black History Month.

Fall 2014

Courageous Conversations about Race forms after the Mike Brown shooting. This group consists of Georgetown community members who discuss ways to develop racial equity, led by Dr. Ron Swain. Courageous Conversations welcomes all people interested in racial equity, especially Southwestern Students. This group meets at the San Gabriel Unitarian Church the first Saturday morning of each month.

November 15, 2015

Southwestern, the oldest university in Texas, charts the Upsilon Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the oldest black women’s sorority. Mayor of Georgetown Dale Ross declares November 15 AKA day.