There is a paucity of historical discourse on the distinct contributions of African American women serving as deans of women at historically Black colleges and universities. Using historical research and the case study approach, the analysis focused on three deans of women: Lucy Diggs Slowe--Howard University, Owena Hunter Davis--Johnson C. Smith University, and Jewel B. Long--Hampton University, covering a period of 84 years (1922-2006). The research indicated that deans of women were highly educated and accomplished idealists who made significant contributions to the holistic development of African American women, historic Black institutions, and the student personnel movement in the South.