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Title
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National Honor Society news clippings
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Description
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A 1938 news clipping about Georgine E. Upshur being elected to the honor society and nomination as the second colored girl in history
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In addition to Miss Upshur, these clippings center on the Philadelphia High School for Girls’ Sophrosyne chapter of the National Honor Society, its ceremonial activities, and its status within the school.
The first clipping describes the October 31 initiation program in detail — featuring classical music (Bach, Bohm), a Bible reading from Isaiah, an address by John Frederick Lewis, school songs, and a tea for members, parents, and faculty.
The second and third focus on the chapter’s temporary suspension after the 1938 initiation, when membership was seen as an “empty honor” without defined duties. By the current term, members had launched meaningful human relations projects, addressing the main objection to its continuation. Students hoped faculty would approve resuming full operations. The spotlight was also on Georgine Upshur, the second Black girl elected to the Sophrosyne chapter. Active during the reinstatement effort, she was a columnist, Student Association cabinet member, and Student Hall captain, all while maintaining a GPA above 95%.
In retrospect, the clippings conveyed the chapter’s formal traditions and its evolving role — moving from a purely ceremonial honor to an organization with tangible contributions to school life.
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Contributor
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Library Company of Philadelphia
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Date Created
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(1938)
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Creator
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Willis, Georgine Upshur
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Rights
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This work is not in copyright, but commercial uses of this digital representation are limited. For more information, contact printroom@librarycompany.org and see http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-NC/1.0/
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Identifier
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P,2022,16.74 &74a&b
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Language
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eng
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Format
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Text
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Extent
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3 pages
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Spatial Coverage
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Philadelphia, PA
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Publisher
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The Library Company of Philadelphia
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Is Part Of
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Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders Venning Collection - Upshur Willis Collection_Georgine E. Upshur Willis collection_scsv-p-2022-16-74
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Subject
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Honor
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Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
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High schools
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Student activities
1938 news clipping 