Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913, at Howard University by 22 collegiate women.
• The founders aimed to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need.

22 Founders

• Winona Cargile Alexander

• Madree Penn White

• Wertie Blackwell Weaver

• Vashti Turley Murphy

• Ethel Cuff Black

• Frederica Chase Dodd

• Osceola Macarthy Adams

• Pauline Oberdorfer Minor

• Mary Edna Brown Coleman

• Edith Motte Young

• Marguerite Young Alexander

• Naomi Sewell Richardson

• Eliza Pearl Shippen

• Zephyr Chisom Carter

• Myra Davis Hemmings

• Mamie Reddy Rose

• Bertha Pitts Campbell

• Florence Letcher Toms

• Olive Claire Jones

• Jessie McGuire Dent

• Jimmie Bugg Middleton

• Ethel Carr Watson

• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was nationally incorporated on January 20, 1930.

• The incorporation was filed in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

• The Founders performed their first public act in March 1913 by participating in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington, D.C.

• The sorority's mission is to be an organization of college-educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and public service, primarily focused on the Black community.

• The purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities worldwide.

• The sorority has 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Canada, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, West Africa, Southern African, United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea.

• The motto is “Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom”.

• The colors are Crimson & Cream.

• The flower is the African Violet.

• The symbol is Lady Fortitude, which represents strength, courage, hope, wisdom, beauty, and femininity.

• A sculpture of Lady Fortitude created by James King resides on the campus of Howard University, unveiled on April 28, 1979.

• The four principles are Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service, and Social Action.

• The sorority pin was designed by founder Madree Penn White, contains the greek letters DST, and the sigma has 9 jewels.

Nine Jewels:

• Compassion
• Courtesy
• Dedication
• Fellowship
• Fidelity & Purity
• Honesty
• Justice
• Purity
• Temperance

Honorary Members:

• Mary Church Terrell (author of the oath for Delta)

• Marcy McLeod Bethune

• Ruby Dee

• Angela Bassett

• Susan Taylor

• Nikki Giovanni

• Marian Wright Edelman

• Amy Hilliard (CEO of comfort cake)

• The sorority’s major service programs are centered around the 5-Point Programmatic Thrust, implemented in 1956 by President Dorothy Height.

Economic Development

• Adopt a Black Business: Assists Black entrepreneurs in achieving a product “self-sufficiency level” in business by supporting and promoting businesses through sponsorship.
• Delta Habitat for Humanity: Affiliated with Habitat for Humanity in 1992.
• Financial Fortitude: Helps people develop a plan to achieve their financial goals.
• Delta H.O.M.E (Home Ownership Maintenance and Education): Trains members, family, and friends of the community on the three phases of home ownership.
• Delta Towers: Offers affordable apartments for senior housing in the northeast area of Washington, D.C., opened in 1980.
• The Delta Foundation or The DREF (Delta Research and Educational Foundation) Center for Research on African American Women: Established in 1967, examines the complex factors influencing African American women’s lives.

Educational Development

• National Library Project: DST’s first national program, established in 1937 but wasn't implemented until 1945 in Franklin County, NC.
• Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy: Established in 1996), it is an educational program for young black women between the ages of 11 and 14.
• Delta G.E.M.S (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully): Established in 2004) is a program that is a continuation of the Delta Academy and helps girls between the ages of 14-18.
• EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence): A program that supports young black boys to reach their full potential educationally, socially, and emotionally.
• May Week: Established in 1921 to highlight academic and professional achievements that emphasize the importance of higher education in the community, particularly for Black women.

International Awareness and Involvement

• Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital (formerly Thika Memorial Hospital): Provides affordable prenatal and postnatal care, nutritional education, child immunization, and family planning.
• The Adelaide Tambo School for the Physically Disabled (South Africa): Was adopted in 2001 and established to create an environment conducive to learning and mental development and to provide comprehensive services to children who are physically challenged.
• The TREE (Training Resources in Early Education) Project: A non-governmental organization that promotes and sustains holistic early childhood education centers (ECE) in disadvantaged communities

Physical and Mental Health

• Healthy Lifestyle: The Total Woman: Mind, Body, and Spirit: An initiative to address health issues disparately impacting the African-American family by encouraging behavioral lifestyle change for the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of families.

Political Awareness and Involvement

• Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital: Established in 1989, it's an annual legislative conference held in Washington D.C. where members are given a platform for the sorority to actively influence national policy-making.
• Delta Day at the United Nations: Established in 1989, it's an annual conference that advocates for women and children worldwide focused on raising awareness of disparities, promoting advocacy, and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Social Action: Established in 1963, the efforts are voter registration and education, combating voter suppression, restoration of voting rights, affordable healthcare, financial literacy, support for HBCU's, and gender equality
• The National Social Action Commission focuses on DC statehood, educational disparities, health equity, redistricting, public safety, voter suppression, and gender equality.

East Point/College Park Alumnae Chapter History

• The chartering date is December 1, 1979.
• The chartering ceremony took place at the Sheraton Inn in East Point.
• Southern Regional Director Kathleen Wright, assisted by the president of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter Verdelle Bellamy officiated.
• 31 members were present to sign the charter.

31 Charter Members:

• Cynthia Banks
• Monica Bartee
• Vernita Ellis Byrd
• Dezma Cobb
• Dyanne Cunningham
• Judith Diamond
• Valerie Edmonds
• Deborah Evans
• Jeannette Few
• Andrea Jones Fuller
• Rita Harrison
• Beverly Harvard
• Ann Davis Jones
• Angeline Jones
• Cynthia Joyner
• Patricia Key
• Kathy Lovett
• Jeannette Mosley
• Deborah Moss
• Dorothy Palmer
• Rosalind Range
• Angela Shipman
• Ivy Solomon
• Dianna Stevens
• Elwanda Thomas
• Eugenia Vidal
• Karen Walker
• Pauline Washington
• Meletta Wilcoxin
• Leroyce Norwood Williams
• Cynthia Wilson

2023-2025 Chapter Leadership Executive Committee:

• President: Cassandra Hayward Hines
• First Vice President: Joyce Wilson
• Second Vice President: Bridget Harris

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913, at Howard University by 22 collegiate women. The founders aimed to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need. It was nationally incorporated on January 20, 1930.