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The Sweet Inspirations is a female vocal group formed in 1967 in New York City. Initially a collective of session backing vocalists, they officially became a band when they began recording singles that same year. The original lineup consisted of group leader Emily "Cissy" Houston, Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith, and Estelle Brown. The group found significant success not only with their own releases but also as backing vocalists for numerous artists from 1968 until Houston's departure in 1969. They worked with prominent musicians including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and others. After Cissy Houston left, Ann Williams joined the group, contributing to the 1970 album "Sweet, Sweet Soul." In 1979, Estelle Brown left the group and was succeeded by Gloria Brown and Pat Terry. The Sweet Inspirations disbanded after recording one final album, "Hot Butterfly." In 1994, Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith, and Estelle Brown reunited with new member Portia Griffin. However, Sylvia Shemwell stopped performing after suffering a stroke in 2001, and she passed away in Los Angeles on February 13, 2010. Myrna Smith was hospitalized for pneumonia and kidney failure in 2010 and died on December 24, 2010, in Canoga Park, California.

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