Masters of Their Own Song: JSU’s Barrier-Breaking Women

As we move into the month of March, we are proud to dedicate our platform to Women’s History Month. This month is a time to honor the resilience, brilliance, and grace of the women who have paved the way for generations to come. We recognize that no great movement or cultural shift happens in a vacuum; it is driven by the strength and vision of women across every discipline.

Throughout March, we will be spotlighting the trailblazers, educators, and unsung heroes who have shaped our world. From the community leaders and mentors who provide the foundation for success to the pioneers of music, science, and civil rights, we invite you to join us in honoring the women who have made — and continue to make — history.

Stay tuned as we share stories of courage and innovation that continue to inspire and empower our community every day.

The Essential Question

What happens when a single voice — or a single trumpet note — challenges decades of “traditional” silence?

Question: How did the women of Jackson State University transform the “Sonic Boom of the South” from a male-dominated stage into a symphony of gender equality?

A Personal Note: Why This Matters

• Mission: To document the intersection of Black musical excellence and gender equity in HBCU culture.
• Disclaimer: We explore these “firsts” not just as names on a list, but as the architects of a more inclusive future for young musicians everywhere.
• Invitation: Think critically about the spaces you inhabit. Who was the first to enter them, and who are you opening the door for?

Part 1: My Story (The Connection)

• The Memory: I remember the first time I saw a “Boom” performance; the ground literally shook. But it wasn’t until I looked closer at the leadership that I saw the faces of the women who fought to be heard over the brass.
• The Realization: This isn’t just a Jackson, Mississippi story. This is a global pattern of women reclaiming spaces in high-performance arts and institutional leadership.
• The Mentor/Program: The legacy of Dr. Dollye Robinson and the Department of Music at JSU serves as the ultimate masterclass in breaking glass ceilings through technical mastery.

Visualizing the Concept

• Concept: The “Unmuted” Trumpet.
• What to imagine: Imagine a wall of sound — bold, blue, and white — where a single golden trumpet rises above the rest. Sketch a trumpet with a crown resting on the bell to represent the “firsts” who led the way.
• Researcher Note: This image helps us understand that being “first” requires more than talent; it requires the courage to be the only one in the room until the room changes.

Part 2: The Heart of the Science

• The Background: Historically, HBCU marching bands were structured with military-style rigidity, often excluding women from the most prominent roles (Brass, Percussion, and Drum Major).
• The “Did You Know?”: Dr. Carolyn Meyers became the first permanent female president of Jackson State University in 2010, marking a century-old milestone for the institution.

Trailblazers of the Boom & Beyond

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Dr. Dollye M.E. Robinson: A true titan of JSU, Dr. Robinson was a multi-instrumentalist who broke the gender barrier in the 1940s as the first female trumpet player for the Sonic Boom. In 1952, she became the first woman to serve on the band staff at Jackson State University, joining the faculty as an assistant band director and instructor of music. A trailblazer in every sense, she later became the first female department chair (1962–1983) and a prominent dean. Her 60-year career at JSU earned her the title “The Matriarch of Music.” Her influence extended far beyond the band field; she was a rigorous academic who oversaw the development of the music curriculum and mentored generations of educators. Her legacy is physically cemented on campus with the Dollye M.E. Robinson Liberal Arts Building named in her honor.

“I never thought about being the first woman. I just wanted to be the best musician.”

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Asia Muhaimin: A multifaceted musician and educator, Asia Muhaimin is a proud graduate of Jackson State University and a former member of the Sonic Boom of the South. During her time at JSU, she was a skilled clarinet player who understood the power of discipline and orchestral precision. Bringing over 22 years of experience to her career, Muhaimin served as the Director of Bands at Warren Easton Charter High School from 2009 until 2024, where she transformed the program into a local powerhouse. In April 2024, she reached a new milestone when she was appointed the Director of Fine Arts for NOLA Public Schools. In this role, she leads the district’s comprehensive fine arts programs — including music, dance, theater, and visual arts — continuing her legacy as a pioneering leader in the arts.

“The music is the universal language, but leadership is the voice that gives it direction and purpose.”

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Tamara Myles: In 2002, Tamara Myles made history by becoming the first female drum major for the Sonic Boom of the South. Before taking command of the field with the mace, she began her journey in the band as a skilled piccolo player. A native of Clinton, Mississippi, she proved that musical versatility and leadership go hand-in-hand, demonstrating that the highest leadership position in the Boom was accessible to anyone with the discipline and talent to earn it.

“The mace doesn’t know if you’re a man or a woman; it only knows if you have the heart to lead.”

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LaTosha “Saxahontas” Bennett: A powerhouse saxophonist and JSU alumna, Bennett earned her nickname through her incredible skill and stage presence. Her life is a series of “firsts”: she was the first in her family to go to college and the first to join the military. Musically, she broke ground as the first female member of the Epic Funk Brass Band. Bennett achieved another historic milestone in New Orleans by becoming the first female staff member for the “Marching 100” at St. Augustine High School — a prestigious, traditionally all-male institution.

“Breaking barriers isn’t just about walking through the door; it’s about holding it open for the ones behind you.”

Additional Mentioned

Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers: In 2010, Dr. Meyers was appointed as the 10th president of Jackson State University. With a background in mechanical engineering and a PhD from Georgia Tech, she brought a STEM-focused vision to the university. She stands as the first woman to serve in a permanent capacity as president, guiding the institution through a period of significant growth.

“We must ensure that our students are prepared for a world that they will define, not a world that defines them.”

Part 3: The Discovery Lab

• Research Lab: The Rhythm & Representation Lab
• Goal: To identify how representation in leadership (like a Drum Major) changes the participation rates of girls in local high school bands.
• Tools: JSU Digital Archives, interviews with Sonic Boom Alumnae, and YouTube historical performance footage.
• Project: Interview a female musician in your community. Ask her: “What was the hardest barrier you faced, and how did you play through it?”
• Question: Do you notice a change in her posture or tone when she speaks about her “first” moment?

Part 4: The Paradox (The Challenge)

• The Conflict: Breaking a “first” often comes with intense scrutiny. These women had to be twice as good to receive half the recognition, often facing pushback from traditionalists who believed certain roles were “men’s work.”
• The Evidence: Refer to the documentary The Sonic Boom of the South and archival records of the JSU Music Department.

The Impact Chart

Part 5: Future Solutions

1. New Tech: Digital archives are now preserving the oral histories of these women so their stories are never “muted” again.
2. Global Ideas: Music programs in South Africa and Europe are adopting “Inclusive Ensemble” models inspired by the leadership shifts in American HBCUs.
3. The Big Goal: “To be first is a feat, but to ensure you aren’t the last is a legacy.” — Inspired by JSU’s mission of service.

The Vocabulary Vault

• Sonic Boom of the South: The nickname for Jackson State University’s world-renowned marching band.
• Drum Major: The field commander and highest-ranking student leader of a marching band.
• Pedagogy: The method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept.

Tiger Citizen: The Take Action Checklist

• [ ] Personal Habit: Listen to a musical genre you usually ignore and identify the female contributors.
• [ ] Community: Share the story of LaTosha “Saxahontas” Bennett with a local music teacher.
• [ ] Awareness: Use the hashtag #JSUWomensHistory to highlight a different JSU alumna every week in March.

Keep the Conversation Going!

• Subscribe: R-BIAL Review Newsletter
• Submit Ideas: Who should we feature in April? Scientists? Politicians? Let us know!

Sources & Deep Dives

*Jackson State University: The Legacy of Dr. Dollye M.E. Robinson.*

2003 Jackson State University (JSU Sonic Boom) Drum Major Music Video

Seaux Cray Media- St. Augustine High School Marching 100 | Zulu | 2025- “I’m Your Baby Tonight” (00:06–01:48)- Arranged by LaTosha “Saxahontas’ Bennett

*Epic Funk Brass Band Performance History*