Dr. Condoleezza Rice was born in Birmingham, Alabama. When she was a teenager, her family moved to Denver, Colorado. In 1971 she entered the University of Denver where her father was an assistant dean, and there she became a member of Alpha Chi Omega. Until her senior year, she was the only African-American member of the chapter.
She was 19-years-old when she graduated cum laude from the university in 1974. She was named outstanding senior woman and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board. Rice earned a Masters from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of International Studies.
In 1993, she became Stanford University’s first woman provost and served in that position until 1999. In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed her national security advisor. Rice later was named the U.S. Secretary of State, the first female African-American to serve in that capacity.
A professor, consultant, and author, she has won many awards. She and is an articulate speaker, accomplished pianist, and a football aficionado.
Condoleezza Rice (on the top step to the right) and her Alpha Chi sisters (photo courtesy of Denver University Archives)
