Winona Cargile Alexander was a founder of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated at Howard University on January 13, 1913. She graduated from Ballard Normal HIgh School in Macon, GA in 1910. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1914. After graduation, she went to Sedalia, Missouri, where she became a high school English teacher. She also earned a degree in social work from Columbia University's School of Social Work in 1915. Alexander also served in social work, and operated a citrus grove in Switzerland.