Winona Cargile Alexander

Early life and education Winona Lucile Cargile was born in Columbus, Georgia, on June 21, 1893, as the second of four daughters to Sarah Frances (Fannie) Sloan Cargile and Rev. Charles H. Cargile. Her father, an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) minister and Howard University divinity school graduate, vigorously supported a thorough education for each of his daughters as well as a steadfast faith in Christianity.

Winona's family moved from Columbus to Macon, Georgia, by the start of her secondary school career. There she attended Ballard Normal High School, a private college preparatory school for African-American students. Cargile graduated as salutatorian from Ballard Normal in 1910. Delta Sigma Theta founders, 1913, at Howard University. Winona Cargile Alexander in the front row, far left. That fall, Cargile started at Howard University in Washington, D.C., which was both her uncle and her father's alma mater.

During her time there, Cargile became Vice President of her Class, joined clubs such as Social Science Club, Alpha Phi Literary Society, German Club, Classical Club, Yearbook Staff, and the YWCA Cabinet. Winona co-founded the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority during her penultimate year at Howard University. Cargile graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1914. Cargile was one of 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta sorority in 1913.

Career After graduation, Cargile was hired as a high school English teacher in Sedalia, Missouri. She received a graduate fellowship to the New York School of Philanthropy. In 1915, she was the first black person admitted to the graduate studies program, and earned a degree in social work in 1916.

Cargile moved to Jacksonville, Florida, when hired as a social worker the Duval County Welfare Board. In 1917 she married attorney Edward L. Alexander. They moved to Switzerland, Florida, where Edward had a law practice. Cargile had two sons, Edward L. Jr. and James S. (4 daughters died during birth.) She died in 1984 in Jacksonville, aged 91.