The Sugar Hill Sisterhood: 50 Years of Lasting Friendship and Tradition
In the early 1970s, a group of Black women at the University of Maryland at College Park formed a tight-knit bond that would last for decades. Known as the Sugar Hill Sisterhood, these women defied the odds and built a lasting friendship in a time when Black students made up only 4 percent of the student body. Now, 50 years later, they continue to meet annually, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs and creating cherished memories along the way.
The Origins of Sugar Hill
The Sugar Hill Sisterhood began in the cramped rooms of Elkton Hall, a high-rise dormitory at the University of Maryland. As freshmen, these young women found solace in their shared experiences as Black women on campus. Elizabeth Gholston, one of the early members of the group, recalls the importance of their camaraderie during that time. “During that time, you needed that kind of camaraderie and cohesiveness,” she said.
On December 14, 1973, the women gathered to celebrate a birthday and an early graduation. Little did they know that this gathering would become the start of a long-standing tradition. They decided to meet again in December the following year, and thus began the annual Sugar Hill reunions.
Maintaining Lasting Friendships
The enduring nature of female friendships is well-documented, and the women of Sugar Hill are a testament to this. They have worked hard to stay connected and nurture their relationships over the past 50 years. Daily communication through a WhatsApp group chat, phone calls, video chats, and remote group activities like fitness challenges help them stay in touch.
Marisa Franco, an assistant clinical professor at the University of Maryland, explains that female friendships tend to be deeper than those of men. Women are more likely to rely on friends in addition to their spouses for support. The women of Sugar Hill exemplify this, providing unwavering support for each other through weddings, graduations, baby showers, and even funerals.
Annual Reunions and Adventures
What started as annual dinners soon evolved into overnight stays at each other’s houses and eventually trips around the world. The Sugar Hill Sisterhood has traveled to destinations such as Jamaica, Spain, Italy, the Bahamas, Mexico, and many more. These trips hold special meaning for the women, as they often serve as their only vacation of the year.
To ensure the trips and reunions continue, the group designates someone each year to plan the location, transportation, and activities. The destination is decided through a rotation system, with no complaints about the chosen location. The element of surprise adds to the excitement, as the women don’t know where they’ll be going until the invitations are sent out.
Support in Good Times and Bad
The Sugar Hill Sisterhood has been there for each other through thick and thin. When Joyce Wynn Dawkins’s boyfriend passed away in a car accident, Sheila Perkins-Hawkes convinced her to come back to D.C. and live with her. Perkins-Hawkes provided the support Dawkins needed during her time of mourning. Cassandra Stewart, another member of the sisterhood, recalls how her friends helped her when she was unemployed for two years. They sent her cards, covered her dinners, and even helped pay for her reunion trip.
The women of Sugar Hill have become each other’s pillars of strength. They lift each other up during challenging times and celebrate each other’s joys. The support they provide extends beyond themselves; they also support each other’s children and grandchildren.
A Lasting Legacy
The name Sugar Hill has become an integral part of the sisterhood’s identity. While its exact origins are debated, the name represents their bond and their time spent living on the top floor of Elkton Hall. The Sugar Hill friendships have now spanned generations, with the children and grandchildren of the sisterhood continuing the tradition. Husbands are referred to as “sugar daddies,” children as “sugar babies,” and grandchildren as “sweet tarts.”
As the Sugar Hill Sisterhood celebrates 50 years of friendship and tradition, they reflect on the legacy they have created. Their bond has remained unbreakable, and they continue to support and uplift each other through life’s journey. The women of Sugar Hill are a shining example of the power of friendship and the lasting impact it can have on our lives.
