Page 49 - Alcorn Magazine - Spring, 2019

FOREVER BRAVE
The Original Golden Girls Re ect on
50 years as Pioneers of HBCU Dance Teams
Alcorn State University’s 2018 Homecoming was one to be remembered for the 1968 Golden Girls.
The ladies celebrated their 50th anniversary during Home- coming weekend with a celebration banquet Friday, Oct. 5, in the Dr. Clinton Bristow, Jr. Dining Hall Gold Room. Golden Girls from multiple eras gathered to share their apprecia- tion for the 1968 class for starting the legacy. e inaugural Golden Girls were also recognized at halftime of Alcorn’s Homecoming game against Alabama State.
Founded in July of 1968 by the late Samuel Gri n at then Alcorn A&M College, the Golden Girls, a.k.a. GGs, were the rst dance line to perform as a featured squad with choreographed movements to an HBCU’s marching band’s live tunes. In the fall of 1968, the often im- itated but never duplicated, the world-renowned Golden Girls made their national debut in Miami, Florida, during the Orange Blossom Classic.
According to records, no one had ever seen a female dance team per- form during halftime of a historically black college and university (HBCU) football game. A silence fell upon the crowd as the original eight regal African-American ladies took the eld.
e former dancers were in awe of the e ort that went into their events. For Gloria Gray Liggins, reuniting with her former dance team brought her joy. She was happy to be a part of the ceremonies, and she applauded everyone who made the events happen.
“It was very gratifying knowing that someone would think so highly of us and to honor us in such a grand way,” said Liggins. “It was a pleasure seeing the ladies that started this legacy. It was a great feeling to be recognized for starting something that others would still follow years later. e weekend was magical, and it was a great honor.”
Before their big weekend, Barbara Heidelberg Fox anticipated a good time, but she didn’t realize how big the celebrations for her peers would be. She spoke about her experience in the Sounds of Dyn-O- Mite Marching Band and how being a Golden Girl helped shape her into who she has become.
“It was an overwhelming and heartwarming honor,” said Fox. “I had no idea something that grand had been planned. With the great edu- cation that we obtained, being a Golden Girl was truly a life-chang- ing reward.”
As the weekend came to a close, Paulette McClain Moore knew that their moment together was signi cant. It was a moment that Moore said would remain in her heart for a lifetime.
“It was an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” said Moore.
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