Swing History






In the year of 1969, at the peak of the Black Power Movement, black people
were fighting for their rights, claiming their culture and displaying their
 afrocentricity. In that same year, on the campus of Winston Salem State 
University, twelve dynamicwomen founded Swing Phi Swing, Social Fellowship, 
Incorporated, as an alternative to sororities and Greek life.



When SWING was first founded it grew at an exponential rate, inducting 
thousands of women in a few years. Due to the fact that the organization 
was so young, it became very difficult to manage the organization when it 
was growing at such a speed.



In light of this fact, the leadership decided to suspend all undergraduate 
intake in 1982 to allow the organization time to establish itself on a 
national level. Finally, in the spring of 1992, the induction of 4 ladies 
at Penn State University and 1 lady from University of Pennsylvania, lead 
to the rebirth of the undergraduate sector

nationwide.

Swing Philosophy




The founders of SWING created an organization dedicated to uplifting women of
 color, recognizing afrocentricity and the belief that knowledge is the basis
 of all freedom. To achieve this knowledge, we felt the need to become aware 
of our culture and history.

It was important to understand that one did not have to totally adopt an 
African culture to learn from one. Since African-Americans were previously 
deprived of this knowledge, the least we could do is open our minds to our 
original heritage.


Today, SWING is a unique, non-profit organization with a commitment to 
affecting social change. Change has to start with oneself in order to have an 
effect on campus and in the community. We realize that we are an integral part
 of the community therefore we have the responsibility to get involved.