Delta History

When & Where founded ?

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need.

Incorporated in what year?

1930

First public act?

In March of 1913, the Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. performed their first public act. They participated in the Women’s Suffrage March in Washington, D.C.

1st Group of Founders

1. Osceola Macarthy Adams, 2. Marguerite Young Alexander, 3. Winona Cargile Alexander, 4. Ethel Cuff Black, 5. Bertha Pitts Campbell, 6. Zephyr Chisom Carter, 7. Edna Brown Coleman, 8. Jessie McGuire Dent, 9. Frederica Chase Dodd

2nd Group of Founders

10 Myra Davis Hemmings, 11. Olive Jones 12. Jimmie Bugg Middleton 13. Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, 14. Vashti Turley Murphy, 15. Naomi Sewell Richardson, 16. Mamie Reddy Rose,

3rd Group of Founders

17. Eliza P. Shippen 18. Florence Letcher Toms, 19. Ethel Carr Watson 20. Madree Penn White, 21 Wertie Blackwell Weaver, 22. Edith Motte Young,

3 Values

Serve, Lead, Empower

How many chapters and where ?

The sorority currently has 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, 1. England, 2. Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), 3. Germany, 4. the Virgin Islands, 5. Bermuda, 6. the Bahamas, 7. Jamaica 8. US 9. the Republic of Korea.

Osceola Macarthy Adams,

a founding member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., was one of the first Black actresses on Broadway. She was the Director of the Harlem School of the Arts and directed the theatrical debuts of Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier.

Current President

Dr. Paulette C. Walker is the 25th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was initiated into the Sorority through the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter of Michigan State University.

Official Symbol

Fortitude is Delta’s official symbol. The replica of the sculpture is located on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. She symbolizes strength, courage, hope, wisdom, beauty, and femininity. Her facial features depicts courage and determination. The outstretched hands represent the receding of love, as well as the giving of one self to others. The statue is shown pushing forward, the tension on her thigh is representative of her strength. Fortitude stands to inspire women to move forcefully forward to meet life’s challenges.

Official Colors

Crimson & Cream; which represent courage and purity.

How DST started ?

This can be traced back to the year 1912 at Howard University. The 22 members of the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority decided they wanted to change the direction of the organization. After splitting into committees and formulating reports on the idea at hand, they unanimously decided to change the name, colors, motto, creed, the shield, and the organization of Alpha Kappa Alpha. A graduate member (Nellie Quander) objected to idea at the finalizing meeting, and rallied enough support from other graduate members in the area and together they shot down the idea. The 22 members persistent in their cause were denounced of their membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha. They reorganzied under their own sorority known as Delta Sigma Theta. Thus the 22 founders of DST were in fact members of AKA. Thus from this the famous rivalry was started. *HINT: Delta (means change)

Delta Flower

The Delta’s flower the African violet has a double meaning, and one symbolizes the bond that they had with the Omegas whose colors are none other than purple & gold. "iolets must be individually selected you can not grab a handful without damaging some of them. They can not be roughly picked in a hurry. The Violet is not the kind of flower that shows off its fullest beauty standing alone, but is naturally gregarious and looks best in mutual clusters"

Elephant Tradition

When she passed away her collection of elephants was donated to the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where they are on display in our archives. Today most Deltas collect elephants in her honor. The elephant symbolizes strength and determination. The uplifted trunk represents high goals. The right foot forward represents forward movement.

Civil Rights & Activism

Participating in the 1913 Women’s Suffragette March side-by-side with white women was one of the new sorority’s first acts. Scholarships, ranging from $100-to-$500, were given during the Great Depression to students, as well as financial support to many civil rights organizations. The 1930s also saw Delta Sigma Theta lobby the United States Government against racial injustice, especially in the case of the Scottsboro Boys (nine teenage boys accused of gang raping two white girls in Alabama). In that early Civil Rights activism, Deltas provided the bail for jailed protesters and helped pay the tuition and expenses of the students.

Motto

"Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom."

Delta Hymn

music written by Florence Cole Talbert; lyrics by Alice Dunbar-Nelson

Delta Sigma Theta Public Library

Louisburg in Franklin County in NC; April 11, 1949

25th National President

Dr. Paulette C. Walker,

Regional Director

Robin Jacobs