Pleasant Plains in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fortitude
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. commissioned Chicago artist James King to create a sculpture of its Founders. "Fortitude" was dedicated on April 28, 1979. She stands 12' 6" with a 12' hand-to-hand arm span. Sculpted in Corten steel, the metal was designed to oxidize over time to produce the rich bronze tone representing the gradations of pigmentation of the Black woman. Fortitude symbolizes the attributes of strengths, courage, hope, wisdom, beauty and femininity as depicted by Delta's 22 Founders.
Fortitude Plaza is a gift to Howard University from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. It was established in commemoration of the Sorority's Centennial Anniversary and dedicated on July 11, 2013. Designed by four female architectural students under the direction of Dean Emeritus Harry G. Robinson III, the design affirms Fortitude's relationship to Founders Library and restores the original landscape plan conceptualized by Landscape Architect David Williston in 1932.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 38° 55.311′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Phi Beta Sigma (within shouting distance of this marker); Sara Winifred Brown, M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (within shouting distance of this marker); Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (within shouting distance of this marker); Founders Library and Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Day of Honor 2000 (within shouting distance of this marker); Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (within shouting distance of this marker); Rankin Chapel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Also see . . .
1. Delta Sigma Theta. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
2. Battle for the Ballot: "The Black sorority that faced racism in the suffrage movement". Washington Post article about Delta Sigma Theta from August 8, 2020 (Submitted on August 10, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Additional keywords.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 989 times since then and 189 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
