| Pershing Angels | |
| Crest: | PASymbol.jpg |
| Alt: | The Symbol National Society of Pershing Angels |
| Colors: | Royal Blue White |
| Symbol: | Dove |
| Flower: | White Rose |
| Birthplace: | Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland |
| Affiliation: | Independent |
| Status: | Active |
| Type: | Military |
| Scope: | National (US) |
| Address: | 2885 Sanford Avenue SW #21820 |
| City: | Grandville |
| Zip Code: | 49418 |
| Country: | United States |
| Homepage: | Pershing Angels National Headquarters |
| Free Label: | units |
| Emphasis: | Drill |
| Chapters: | 12 (active) |
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.
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.[1] 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 (then H-15) at Morgan.[2]
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.[3]
Pershing Angles became part of the Coed Affiliates Pershing Rifles (CAPERS) 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 (presently Co. R-4-5, Norfolk State University), Hampton (Institute) University, and Howard University.[4]
Pershing Angels official colors are royal blue and white. Its mascot is the dove. It flower is the white rose.[5] Its mott is "Drill, Service, Social".
Following is a list of the Pershing Angels units or chapters. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.
Following is a list of the Pershing Angels alumnae units or chapters.[6] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.
| Unit | Charter date or range | Location | Status | References | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA-10-5 | Hawaii Area Alumnae | Active | |||
| AA-4-5 | Central Virginia Alumnae | Active | |||
| AA-8-5 | Maryland Alumnae | Active | |||
| AA-16-5 | Seven Hills (Atlanta) Alumnae | Active | |||
| AB-4-5 | North Carolina A&T State University Alumnae | Active | |||
| AB-8-5 | Howard University Alumnae | Inactive | |||
| AC-4-5 | Alabama Alumnae | Active | |||
| AC-8-5 | DMV Area Alumnae | Active | |||
| AC-8-5 | Norfolk State University Alumnae | Active |