Pershing Angels


The National Society Pershing Angels is a military-based drill sorority for women founded in 1965 as a Coed Affiliate drill unit of Pershing Rifles at Morgan State University. It is the oldest continuously operating U.S. national women's college organization dedicated to drill.

History

In 1962, thirty ladies at Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland started a society that would become Pershing Angels. Its mission is to foster a spirit of friendship and cooperation among the women in the military department and to maintain a highly efficient drill company. On February 9, 1965, the National Society of Pershing Angels were formally recognized as a university organization and as a sister unit to Pershing Rifles Company J-8 at Morgan.
Across the nation, other women's affiliates of Pershing Rifles formed during the early 1960’s. Pershing Angels was one of many similar coed affiliates with the same ideals and drill activities recognized by local Pershing Rifles Companies, but not officially sanctioned by Pershing Rifles National Headquarters.
Pershing Angles became part of the Coed Affiliates Pershing Rifles in 1966 when CAPERS were formed as the first officially recognized nationwide female auxiliary to the National Society of Pershing Rifles. Pershing Rifles began accepting women as members as early as 1971, but CAPERS continued on until the mid-1980s. Once CAPERS were disbanded, Pershing Angels units formerly affiliated with CAPERS chose to continue on as a separate organization.
Over the years, Pershing Angels have expanded to other Universities which included Company C-16, Florida A&M University, Company C-15, Norfolk State College, Hampton University, and Howard University.

Symbols

Pershing Angels official colors are royal blue and white. Its mascot is the dove. It flower is the white rose. Its mott is "Drill, Service, Social".

Chapters

Collegiate

Following is a list of the Pershing Angels units or chapters. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.
UnitCharter date and rangeInstitutionLocationStatus
U-8-52018Coppin State UniversityBaltimore, MarylandActive
H-4-5Alabama A&M UniversityNormal, AlabamaActive
N-4North Carolina A&T State UniversityGreensboro, North CarolinaActive
O-4Virginia State UniversityEttrick, VirginiaActive
P-4-5Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, AlabamaActive
R-4-5 -Norfolk State UniversityNorfolk, VirginiaActive
U-4-5Hampton UniversityHampton, VirginiaActive
A-7-52008Lincoln UniversityJefferson City, MissouriActive
G-8-51965Howard UniversityWashington, D.C.Active
J-8-5Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MarylandActive
A-16-5Fort Valley State UniversityFort Valley, GeorgiaActive
C-16Florida A&M UniversityTallahassee, FloridaActive
T-1Central State UniversityWilberforce, OhioInactive
A-4St. Augustine's UniversityRaleigh, North CarolinaInactive
K-4-5South Carolina State UniversityOrangeburg, South CarolinaInactive
O-4-5Saint Paul’s CollegeLawrenceville, VirginiaInactive
N-8Saint Peter's CollegeJersey City, New JerseyInactive

Alumnae

Following is a list of the Pershing Angels alumnae units or chapters. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.
UnitCharter date and rangeLocationStatus
AA-10-5Hawaii Area AlumnaeActive
AA-4-5Central Virginia AlumnaeActive
AA-8-5Maryland AlumnaeActive
AA-16-5Seven Hills AlumnaeActive
AB-4-5North Carolina A&T State University AlumnaeActive
AB-8-5Howard University AlumnaeInactive
AC-4-5Alabama AlumnaeActive
AC-8-5DMV Area AlumnaeActive
AC-8-5Norfolk State University AlumnaeActive