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Sigma Gamma Rho’s Intl President Receives Award From Dred Scott’s Descendants on 150th Anniversary of the Case

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The International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was recently awarded the Dred Scott Freedom Award on the 150th anniversary of the 14^th amendment overturning the Dred Scott decision.

Lynn Jackson, great-great granddaughter of Harriett and Dred Scott and president and founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation, presented International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho, Deborah Catchings-Smith, with the organization’s Freedom Award for international leadership recently in St. Louis, MO.

The award was presented at the Dred Scott Freedom Awards Dinner which highlights the 1857 Supreme Court case decision that denied a slave, Dred Scott, his freedom on the basis that the U.S. Constitution didn’t consider him a person.

“This landmark decision had many repercussions and led to the start of the Civil War. 150 years ago this year, the 14^th amendment overturned the Dred Scott decision. The dinner honors the bravery, conviction and actions of Dred and his wife Harriet,” the press release stated.

“To receive the Dred Scott Freedom Award in the category of International Leadership was indeed an honor. I accepted this award on behalf of the many members of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sisterhood who stand on the shoulders of Harriet and Dred Scott, our Founders and countless other trailblazers. By accepting this award, I accept the responsibility to use my platform to give voice to the voiceless and be vigilant to secure true freedom and racial equality in our society,” Catchings-Smith stated after receiving the award.