Violet T. Lewis Day: Honoring the Legacy of the Educator Who Empowered Generations of Black Women

Members of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Incorporated attend Detroit’s inaugural observance of Violet T. Lewis Day at Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design. Founded in part by Dr. Violet T. Lewis in 1943, the sorority continues her legacy of leadership, opportunity, and advancement for women.

When the City of Detroit officially declared May 27, 2026, as Violet T. Lewis Day, it did more than recognize the founder of Michigan's only historically Black college. It honored a visionary educator whose impact extended far beyond the classroom and into the lives of thousands of Black women through leadership, professional advancement, and sisterhood.

For members of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Incorporated, the moment carried special significance.

Founded in 1943 at Lewis Business College in Detroit, Gamma Phi Delta was established by Dr. Violet T. Lewis and her sister, Elizabeth A. Garner, to provide professional and business women with opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and community service. More than eight decades later, the sorority continues to uphold the values and mission established by its founders, serving communities across the United States while empowering generations of women to lead.

The inaugural observance of Violet T. Lewis Day at Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC Detroit) brought together students, educators, civic leaders, corporate partners, alumni, and members of Gamma Phi Delta to celebrate a woman whose legacy continues to shape educational access and opportunity nearly a century after she founded Lewis Business College.

Long before conversations about equity and inclusion became commonplace, Lewis was creating pathways where few existed.

In 1928, she founded Lewis Business College in Indianapolis before relocating the institution to Detroit in 1939. Under her leadership, the college became a cornerstone of higher education for Black students seeking professional and business training. During its first five decades, more than 20,000 students passed through its doors, many becoming educators, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and professionals.

Yet Lewis understood that education alone was not enough.

She recognized the importance of creating networks where Black women could support one another professionally and personally. That vision led to the creation of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, an organization rooted in scholarship, service, sisterhood, and leadership.

Today, the sorority's presence serves as a living testament to Lewis' belief that empowered women have the power to transform families, communities, and institutions.

The significance of Detroit's declaration extends beyond a single day of recognition. It represents a broader acknowledgment of the often-overlooked contributions Black women have made to education, business, and community advancement throughout American history.

At the ceremony, members of Gamma Phi Delta stood alongside descendants, supporters, and community leaders as the city formally recognized Lewis' enduring influence. The moment underscored how her vision continues to resonate through the institutions she built and the women she inspired.

The declaration also highlighted the continued evolution of her legacy through Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design. In 2022, under the leadership of President Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, the institution reintroduced the Lewis name into its identity, ensuring future generations understand the profound contributions of the woman who laid its foundation.

Today, PLC Detroit stands as Michigan's only HBCU and the nation's only design-focused HBCU, carrying forward Lewis' commitment to creating access, opportunity, and pathways to professional success.

PLC Detroit Staff & friends.

For Gamma Phi Delta Sorority members, Violet T. Lewis Day serves as both a celebration and a call to action. It is a reminder that legacy is not simply something remembered—it is something lived.

Every scholarship awarded, every student mentored, every community initiative launched, and every woman encouraged to pursue her goals reflects the vision Lewis set in motion more than 80 years ago.

As Detroit's inaugural observance concluded, one message remained clear: Dr. Violet T. Lewis did not simply build an institution or found a sorority. She created a movement rooted in education, leadership, and empowerment that continues to impact lives across generations.

And through Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Incorporated, her legacy remains as vibrant and relevant today as it was in 1943.