Happy Founders Day to all of my sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. who on today, January 13, 2011 celebrate 98 years of public service and sisterhood. With over 350,000 members across the world and over 950 chapters not only will we have celebrations all over the world, but the Metro Atlanta chapters will celebrate with a social gathering at The Tavern JR Crickets located at 3560 Camp Creek Parkway, East Point, GA. Bring your business cards and plan to network and have a great time! The Atlanta Metro Chapters include the following Alumnae Chapters: Atlanta Alumnae (www.atlantaalumnaedst.org), Atlanta Suburban Alumnae (www.atlantasuburbandst.com), Decatur Alumnae Chapter (www.dstdac.org), DCP (Douglas, Carroll, Paulding) Counties Alumnae (www.dcpdst.org), East Point/College Park Alumnae (www.epcpdst.org), Gwinnett County Alumnae (www.gwinnettdst.org), Henry County Alumnae (www.hcacdst.org), Marietta-Roswell Alumnae (www.dstmrac.org), Stone Mountain-Lithonia Alumnae (www.smlacdst.org). The Metro Atlanta undergraduate chapters include: Clark Atlanta University (Sigma), Clayton State University, (Tau Epsilon), Emory University (Omicron Xi), Georgia Institute of Technology (Xi Alpha), Georgia State University (Zeta Phi), Kennesaw State University (Sigma Epsilon), Mercer University (Iota Sigma), Morris Brown College (Gamma Zeta), Southern Polytechnic University (Pi Nu), Spelman University (Eta Kappa), University of Georgia (Zeta Psi) and the University of West Georgia (Kappa Delta).
This is a special salute and tribute to the divine 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. who founded our great sisterhood on January 13, 1913. They are: Mrs. Osceola Macarthy Adams, Mrs. Marguerite Young Alexander, Mrs. Winona Cargile Alexander, Mrs. Ethel Cuff Black, Mrs. Bertha Pitts Campbell, Mrs. Zephyr Chisom Carter, Mrs. Edna Brown Coleman, Mrs. Jessie McGuire Dent, Mrs. Frederica Chase Dodd, Mrs. Myra Davis Hemmings, Ms. Olive C Jones, Mrs. Jimmie Bugg Middleton, Mrs. Pauline Oberdorfer Minor,Mrs. Vashti Turley Murphy, Mrs. Naomi Sewell Richardson, Mrs. Mamie Reddy Rose, Ms. Eliza Pearl Shippen, Mrs. Florence Letcher Toms, Mrs. Ethel Carr Watson, Mrs. Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Mrs. Madree Penn White and Mrs. Edith Motte Young
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that in 1912 twenty-two members were initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, but were “dismayed” at the progress and wanted expand on the sororities vision, mission and philosophy which resulted in starting a new organization. The symbols were carefully selected and changed to Delta Sigma Theta. The sorority colors changed to crimson and cream, which also has a meaningful purpose. The flower changed to the African violet and was given to Edna Brown (Coleman) as a gift from Frank Coleman, who was a founder of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The twenty–two who voted also make this change were moving towards social activism, greater public service, rather than social activities. One member of the “twenty-two” was very apprehensive about the change and wanted to keep the previous name, but was out voted. This of course didn’t set well with Nellie Quander (incorporator and first international president of AKA) either and she gave the twenty-two a deadline to stop the reorganization. Well, let’s just say Delta Sigma Theta was founded on January 13, 1913, by twenty-two former members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and was officially incorporated on February 19, 1913. A great reenactment of the founding of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority can be found on the film “Black Sorority Project” which is an excellent history source of not just DST but history during that time period. http://www.blacksororityproject.com
Less than two months after “DST” was founded our first political project began with Delta Sigma Theta women participating in the Women’s Suffrage March on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. believing that black women needed the right to vote to promote education, to rid sexual exploitation, to assist in the work force and to empower the “black” race. Keep in mind, during that time blacks had ery few rights and privileges. Ninety-eight years later, having made many strides with many more to go, Delta women have expanded on service initiatives through our Five-Point Program Thrust of Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement with international projects to include Financial Fortitude: Smart Women Finish Rich, Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, Delta GEMS - Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully, EMBODI: Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence, Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital (formerly Thika Memorial Hospital), Healthy Lifestyle: Total Woman: Mind, Body, and Spirit, Delta Days in the Nations Capital, Delta Days at the United Nations and Voting Rights. Locally chapters have created 100’s of new initiatives, programs and scholarships for African American communities and all communities.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members who are not only African American women, but have embraced Caucasian, Asian, Native American, Hispanic, and African women are gearing up for our 100th Celebration in 2013 in Washington, DC. For more information about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the MANY public service projects that will continue on Friday internationally after today’s social gatherings of sisterhood please visit www.deltasigmatheta.org.
A Few notable members of DST include: Dorothy Height, Lena Horne, Eunice Johnson, Nikki Giovanni, Ruby Dee, Aretha Franklin, Judith Jamison, Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, Ntozake Shange, Natalie Cole, Valerie Jarrett, Cicely Tyson, Shirley Franklin, Alexis Herman, Stephanie Perry Moore, Mary Church Terrell, Daisy Bates, Varnette Honeywood, Aunjanue Ellis, Frankie Freeman, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, Alexa Canady, Rae-Lewis Thornton, Stephanie Tubbs, Jones, Nancy Wilson, Jacque Reid, Leslie Uggams, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Roberta Flack, Patricia Roberts Harris, Sadie T. Alexander, Marian Wright Edelman, Mary McLeod Bethune, Betty Shabazz, Myrlie Evers Williams, Jonetta Cole, Tina Allen, and these "sorors" are just a few.
As a member of the DCP Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., I would like to personally invite you to attend our “Pearls & Hearts Third Annual Valentines Dance” sponsored by Douglas/Carroll/Paulding Counties Alumnae Chapter that will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at The Centre at Arbor Connection located at 7475 Douglas Blvd. Douglasville, GA 30135. This will be “A Formal Affair” 7:30pm-12 midnight. There will be a full course dinner featuring live band “Gritz & Jelly Butter” and Great Door Prizes. Tickets are $60 Per Person Tables (8 to a table) are available. For tickets see a DCP Chapter Member or email info@dcpdst.com. Our website is www.dcpdst.com.
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