history
January 13, 1913 marked the dawn of a new horizon in the history of black women. On that day, twenty-two young women from Howard University set the foundation for what is now one of the largest Black women's organization in the world -Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Inspired by the need for change, these women combined their strengths under the principles of scholarship, sisterhood, and service. The first public act performed by the Delta founders, involved their participation in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington, D.C., March 1913.
one hundred and ten years later Delta Sigma Theta remains, unmatched in her dedication to scholarship and public service. Now more than 350,000 women share in the rich legacy of:
Osceola Macarthy Adams
Marguerite Young Alexander
Winona Cargile Alexander
Ethel Cuff Black
Bertha Pitts Campbell
Zephyr Chisom Carter
Edna Brown Coleman
Jessie McGuire Dent
Frederica Chase Dodd
Myra Davis Hemmings
Olive C. Jones
Jimmie Bugg Middleton
Pauline Oberdorfer Minor
Vashti Turley Murphy
Naomi Sewell Richardson
Mamie Reddy Rose
Eliza Pearl Shippen
Florence Letcher Toms
Ethel Carr Watson
Wertie Blackwell Weaver
Madree Penn White
Edith Motte Young
Marguerite Young Alexander
Winona Cargile Alexander
Ethel Cuff Black
Bertha Pitts Campbell
Zephyr Chisom Carter
Edna Brown Coleman
Jessie McGuire Dent
Frederica Chase Dodd
Myra Davis Hemmings
Olive C. Jones
Jimmie Bugg Middleton
Pauline Oberdorfer Minor
Vashti Turley Murphy
Naomi Sewell Richardson
Mamie Reddy Rose
Eliza Pearl Shippen
Florence Letcher Toms
Ethel Carr Watson
Wertie Blackwell Weaver
Madree Penn White
Edith Motte Young
From the humble beginnings of this great organization, the Founders envisioned it being committed to public service as well as academic excellence. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide services, cultural enrichment, and programs to promote human welfare. The major programs of the Sorority are based upon the organization's Five Point Programmatic Thrust:
Economic Development
Educational Development
International Awareness and Involvement
Physical and Mental Health
Political Awareness and Involvement
PRIMARY NATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
In addition to programs, the Sorority's outreach extends far beyond its chapters and their immediate community focus. The national organization works cooperatively with many other national groups that share common goals and concerns. These organizations include, but are not limited to:
Affiliates of the National Pan Hellenic Council
Africare, Inc.
American Association of Retired Persons
Children's Defense Fund
Congressional Black Caucus
Food Research Action Council
Partnership with the NAACP
National Coalition on Black Voter Participation
National Council of Negro Women
National Urban League
Smithsonian Institution
The Center for Political and Economic Studies
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
United Negro College Fund
United Way
YWCA
The success of the Sorority's public service program depends upon the continuous interaction of each member locally and nationally. For more than eight decades, this has been a hallmark of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and the foundation of its success.
Educational Development
International Awareness and Involvement
Physical and Mental Health
Political Awareness and Involvement
PRIMARY NATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
- Delta Habitat for Humanity : a ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Together we build houses, lives, and communities.
- Project Cherish: a national preservation and beautification program of African - American landmarks, monuments, and historical sites.
- Project SMART: a medication and health records management program for senior citizens that live independently.
- Delta Days at the Nation's Capital: an annual two day activity designed to foster expanded involvement of chapters and members in public and social policy issues.
- The Delta Immunization Campaign: a health awareness project for mothers of young children that provides information to families about the importance of having children vaccinated.
- Summit III: Preparing Our Sons for Manhood: a variety of programs which focus on the education, housing, employment, and personal development of boys aged 10 - 16 years old.
In addition to programs, the Sorority's outreach extends far beyond its chapters and their immediate community focus. The national organization works cooperatively with many other national groups that share common goals and concerns. These organizations include, but are not limited to:
Affiliates of the National Pan Hellenic Council
Africare, Inc.
American Association of Retired Persons
Children's Defense Fund
Congressional Black Caucus
Food Research Action Council
Partnership with the NAACP
National Coalition on Black Voter Participation
National Council of Negro Women
National Urban League
Smithsonian Institution
The Center for Political and Economic Studies
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
United Negro College Fund
United Way
YWCA
The success of the Sorority's public service program depends upon the continuous interaction of each member locally and nationally. For more than eight decades, this has been a hallmark of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and the foundation of its success.