61-615: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. ( ΔΣΘ ) is a historically African American sorority . The organization was founded by college-educated women dedicated to public service with an emphasis on programs that assist the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two women at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Membership is open to any woman, regardless of religion, race, or nationality. Women may apply to join through undergraduate chapters at
122-479: A Delta collegiate chapter in each of Delta's regions for the Delta GEMS program's outstanding implementation. Regional winners receive $ 1,000, and the grand prize winner receives $ 5,000. In 2006, collegiate chapters were asked to partner with other collegiate chapters, alumnae chapters or community organizations in their municipality. The Maryland Educational Opportunity Center was established in 1979 and created with
183-531: A check for $ 1 million as an endowed scholarship, completely paid in full. The Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair Award, established in 1977 at the 34th National Convention as a perpetual trust fund, confirms and extends the Sorority's longstanding commitment to educational excellence through quality instruction at historically Black colleges and universities. Delta Sigma Theta's purpose is to support and sustain these historical institutions, supply assistance to enable
244-529: A college or university or through an alumnae chapter after earning a college degree. The sorority currently has over 350,000 members and over 1,000 chapters located in the Bahamas , Bahrain , United Arab Emirates , Saudi Arabia , Qatar , Oman , Bermuda , Canada , England , Germany , Jamaica , Japan , West Africa and South Africa , South Korea , United Kingdom , and the United States. Delta Sigma Theta
305-510: A figure of a woman cut from a thin piece of metal. She "wears" a sleeveless dress, and high heels and has short, straight hair. She is walking; with her proper left arm swinging above her head and her proper right arm back behind her. The sculpture was unveiled on April 28, 1979, at 3:15 p.m. by members of Delta Sigma Theta, to honor the founders of the service sorority. The sculpture is described as symbolizing "the attributes of strength, courage, hope, wisdom, beauty and femininity as depicted by
366-415: A fixed period. Between 1992–1994, Delta Sigma Theta and Habitat for Humanity built twenty-two homes throughout the United States. In 1996, sorority members and supporters traveled to Ghana, where they built forty Delta Habitat for Humanity homes. Financial Fortitude was designed to help sorority members and local communities attain personal wealth and financial security. Financial Fortitude was established as
427-555: A leader in setting the standard for others to follow. Delta Towers currently has 150 independent-living residential apartments. Because of the success of Delta Towers, the chapter and housing corporation is constructing a second apartment building, Delta Towers II, near the first. The Washington D.C. Alumnae chapter's Delta Housing Corporation is planning to construct Delta Towers II. Delta Towers II will provide 150 additional safe and affordable apartments for low to moderate-income senior citizens. Delta Towers II will be designed to provide
488-607: A multimillion-dollar, ten-story building. Delta Towers opened for occupancy in 1980. Delta Sigma Theta established Delta Towers in the northeast area of Washington, D.C. Delta Towers is an apartment building for elderly and disabled individuals. Delta Towers was the first retirement center founded by any of the African-American sororities or fraternities in the United States. While many African-American sororities and fraternities subsequently established, or have plans to establish, retirement centers, Delta Sigma Theta, once again, remains
549-526: A national headquarters site located at 1814 M St. NW in Washington, D.C. In 1972 the Sorority moved its headquarters to New Hampshire Ave. NW in Dupont Circle. The sorority headquarters is currently located at the property located at 1701, 1703, 1705, 1707, and 1709 New Hampshire Avenue , N.W. in the historic Dupont Circle neighborhood. In addition to serving as the national headquarters, the buildings house
610-571: A network that includes both undergraduate and alumni members. These organizations were typically founded by Black American undergraduate students, faculty, and leaders at various institutions in the United States . Following is a list of active and inactive African American fraternities, in charter date order. Following is a list of active and inactive African American sororities and women's fraternities, in charter date order. Sadie T.M. Alexander Too Many Requests If you report this error to
671-458: A program format and information template. The delivery options may include a town hall meeting, workshops, and/or teen leadership summits. In honor of the 22 Founders, in January 2003, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as a part of the four-day celebration of the Sorority's 90th anniversary, then National President Gwendolyn Boyd, presented Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert with
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#1732858463302732-576: A result of increasing unemployment, Social Security debts, and the widening gap between wealth and poverty. Financial Fortitude helps participants to set and define goals, to develop a financial plan to achieve goals, and to put their plan into action. Workshops are focused on topics such as debt management and reduction, retirement, financing for college, investing, insurance, estate and home ownership, savings, and entrepreneurship. In 1979, Delta Sigma Theta's Washington D.C. Alumnae chapter and Delta's Housing Corporation planned and constructed Delta Towers as
793-556: A senior citizen wellness center, ground level commercial office and retail services, and a community room. Together, Delta Towers I and Delta Towers II will offer 300 affordable apartments for senior housing (affordable to households earning 60% or less of the area's median income). Construction on Delta Towers II began in March 2009. The Sorority established the Delta Hurricane Katrina Relief Task Force to facilitate
854-544: A special service grant of $ 450,000 – the largest grant awarded by the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare . MEOC is a free program in Baltimore which provides information and counseling services to adults and youths interested attending college or vocational/technical school. Having seven outreach centers, the program is sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta and funded by the federal government. The MEOC
915-540: A staggering 389% increase over those closed over the previous three years. Delta Sigma Theta was the first national African-American organization to collaborate with Habitat for Humanity International in 1992, during National President Bertha Roddey's administration. Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates homes with the help of selected homeowners, volunteer labor, management expertise, and tax-deductible donations of money and materials. Houses are sold to families without profit, and no-interest mortgages are issued over
976-399: Is a federal TRIO program and one of 130 Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) in the country. From 1979 to 2006, MEOC has served more than 78,000 individuals. Nearly 20,000 participants were enrolled in postsecondary institutions. The EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) program is designed to refocus the efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., with
1037-766: Is a partnership between Delta Sigma Theta's 950 chapters, Chase Bank , and Genworth Financial . The national directors of the DST Homeownership Initiative are Lori Jones Gibbs and Lynn Richardson. Gibbs is the Genworth Financial's Vice-President of Affordable Housing and Industry Affairs, and Richardson is Chase Bank's Vice President of National Strategic Partnerships. The Delta Challenge offers mortgage loans, insurance, and other home buyers' discounts through The Delta Chase Initiative. The Delta Chase Initiative resulted in more than 100,000 consumer touch points worldwide and $ 35 million in closings for Chase,
1098-674: Is also a member of the umbrella organization National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) – an organization of nine international Black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities. The current (28th) International President and CEO is Elsie Cooke-Holmes. The first public act of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was some of its members marched as students of Howard University, in the collegiate section in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington, D.C., on March 3, 1913. Delta Sigma Theta has created programming to improve political, education, and social and economic conditions, particularly within black communities. The sorority
1159-554: Is most known for its collaboration with community organizations and corporations to further its programming goals. The sorority reached a centennial year and became the first Black Greek-lettered organization to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California , on January 1, 2013, with a float entitled "Transforming Communities through Sisterhood and Service". On January 13, 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
1220-425: Is named in honor of sorority member, the late Dr. Betty Shabazz , wife of Malcolm X . It is for girls who demonstrate the potential for success, but may not have support systems or access to financial resources. Participants are exposed to math, science, technology, and non-traditional careers. The Delta Academy sessions may also include service learning activities, field trips, and book clubs. Delta Academy's symbol
1281-598: Is the dream catcher . In Native American culture, the dream catcher possesses the power to capture bad dreams and entangle them into a web. The good dreams pass through the dream hoop's open center into the person. Delta GEMS is an outgrowth and continuation of the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy Program. Delta GEMS was created to assist in facilitating the dreams and goals of at-risk, adolescent African-American girls, aged 14–18. Goals for Delta GEMS are: The Delta GEMS framework has five major components (Scholarship, Sisterhood, "Show Me
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#17328584633021342-585: The 10th National President Dorothy Height . The five-point thrust is the five areas under which all Delta programming falls; the thrust is Educational Development, Economic Development, Physical and Mental Health, Political Awareness and Involvement, and International Awareness and Involvement. In 1960, Delta co-sponsored the National Organization of Women for Equality in Education conference. In 1963, while celebrating its 50th anniversary, Delta participated in
1403-510: The 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta". In the early 1980s, the sorority began holding "Summits" which focused on various issues within the African American Community. Delta felt the need to bring attention to issues that affect minorities and women that remained largely ignored in the United States. In 1981, Delta held Summit I which focused on issues affecting American women. Summit II, a call to action in support of single parenting,
1464-420: The 22 founders were believed that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority did not have a charter, they believed they had no "legal entity". The young women believed that no charter meant there was no authority to form other chapters, thus limiting their ability to expand the scope of their activities. During the meeting where the changes were discussed, the past president from a few months prior, Nellie Quander , disagreed with
1525-708: The Adelaide Tambo School for the Physically Disabled in South Africa. In that same year, Delta received $ 1.6 million from NSF for project SEE [Science and Everyday Experiences], and traveled to Swaziland in southern Africa, to break ground for the Delta house that would be housing for children who became orphans due to their parents dying from HIV/AIDS, and dedicated the computer training center in Lesotho . In 2002, Delta
1586-585: The African-American community. The Five-Point Programmatic Thrust was established in 1955. Each program's development and implementation operates cooperatively, coordinated by committees, the national executive board, and national headquarters staff. Leaders belonging to the Program Planning and Development Committee, Social Action Commission, Commission on Arts and Letters, Information and Communications Committee, Membership Services Committee, and Regional Officers also participate in developing programming to meet
1647-461: The American Council on Human Rights which had the goal to "mobilize the influence and resources of its members in the struggle for justice and equal opportunity for all U.S. Citizens." While there were many struggles for minorities and women within the United States, Delta leadership also realized the great struggle others of African descent faced around the world, which led to the establishment of
1708-569: The Delta Research and Education Foundation (DREF), national staff and records, and equipment systems necessary to conduct Delta Sigma Theta's business. In 1925, the sorority began to organize its chapters into geographical regions. Initially, it created four regions: Eastern, Midwest, Far West, and Southern. Seven years later, the Central Region was established. In 1960, the Mid-Atlantic region
1769-567: The Five-Point Programmatic Thrust. Jabberwock, an annual variety show consisting of cultural expression and talent – such as music, skits, and dance – was initiated by Marion Conover-Hope in 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts . Locally produced Jabberwock shows served as fundraisers for many chapters of the sorority. Funds from the programs support scholarships for youths and other public service projects. The program encourages and assists in
1830-862: The March on Washington and established the Social Action Commission at the 27th National Convention. In 1966, Delta Teen Lift was established and the Delta Sigma Theta Executive Board was received in the White House by President Lyndon B. Johnson to discuss community issues and concerns in 1967. In 1968, the Unwed Mothers program was established, and in 1970 Delta sponsored the East African International Women's Seminar in Nairobi , Kenya . While many strides had been made in
1891-520: The Maternity Ward at Thika Memorial Hospital in 1955. Delta had previously moved toward having some uniformity of programming among chapters, with two international programs abroad. As it began its fifth decade of existence, the organization wanted to ensure that all chapters would focus their programming around one national centralized theme. Thus, the Five Point Thrust was implemented in 1956 by
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1952-628: The Money", Service, and Infinitely Complete), which form a road map for college and career planning. Topics within the five major components provide interactive lessons and activities that allow opportunities for individual growth. Delta GEMS, like Delta Academy, is implemented by Delta Sigma Theta's chapters. Lawry's Foods partnered with Delta Sigma Theta to create the National Collegiate Public Service Caddy and Grant Recognition Program. The Collegiate Challenge recognizes and rewards
2013-749: The Second National Convention for graduate members in New York City and Washington, D.C. Delta Sigma Theta expanded west of the Rocky Mountains with the chartering of the Kappa chapter at the University of California in February 1921; however, its members weren't initiated until September 1922. Many Delta members continue to be active in alumnae chapters after graduating from college, and many join at
2074-454: The Sorority in 1930 allowed Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to legally continue its expansion of chapters. Before the establishment of perpetual bodies, new chapters had to apply for separate charters within their respective localities. However, with the national organization incorporated, chartering chapters became easier for regional leadership. The National Library Project was established in 1937 to provide access to books for Blacks in rural areas of
2135-505: The South served blacks. Additionally, only 5% of rural blacks had access to any public institution at all. The first traveling library was based in Franklin County, North Carolina , where 23 book baskets, with 33 books, were circulated. The Job Analysis and Opportunity Project began in 1941. It was to provide career, employment counseling, and job exposure for black women. The sorority created
2196-600: The South where either no libraries were located, or they were not accessible to Blacks. They were able to loan books to some of the communities in at least 2 counties in the states of North Carolina and Georgia. The National Victory Book Drive occurred in 1943 to provide books to servicemen. In 1945, Delta Sigma Theta donated its first $ 1,000 to the United Negro College Fund . Also in 1945, Delta Sigma Theta, along with Alpha Kappa Alpha , Alpha Phi Alpha , Kappa Alpha Psi , Zeta Phi Beta , and Sigma Gamma Rho establish
2257-518: The alumnae level. Delta Sigma Theta has more than 1,000 chapters, located in the United States , Canada , the Caribbean , England , Germany , Korea , Japan , Bermuda , Jamaica , Virgin Islands , West Africa , South Africa and Bahamas . Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is the largest African American Women's organization in the world and has a membership of over 350,000 college-educated women around
2318-539: The challenges faced by people in the United States and internationally as well. Over the years, the sorority has established programs to provide and improve education, health care, and international development, and strengthen the African-American family. Delta Sigma Theta provides public service initiatives through the Five-Point Program Thrust. Delta Sigma Theta uses the Five-Point Programmatic Thrust as an organizing structure as it creates programs to benefit
2379-572: The chapters of the sorority. In 1920, May Week was developed to encourage Black women to attend college, and the Official Publication of the Sorority was established as "The Delta". Also in 1920, the Omega Chapter was established to recognize deceased Sorors, and Sadie T.M. Alexander was voted the first Honorary Grand President of Delta Sigma Theta. The official Delta Sigma Theta Hymn, written by Florence Cole Talbert and Alice Dunbar Nelson ,
2440-505: The development of young individual talents. On December 28, 1947, the Delta Jabberwock was formally adopted and copyrighted by Delta Sigma Theta. May Week was created at the second national convention in 1920 at Wilberforce University. Local chapters began to observe it beginning in 1921. The purpose of May Week is to emphasize the importance of higher education in the community, especially for black women. The slogan "Invest in Education"
2501-499: The expansion of educational opportunities, and give long-overdue recognition to distinguished Black instructors and professors. Biennially, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. makes a grant to a historically Black college or university that provides support for a professor of distinction to be in residence. The Total Woman: Mind, Body, and Spirit Lifestyle Change Initiative impacts the well-being of sorority members and members' families and communities at large. The Lifestyle Change initiative
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2562-598: The fifties and sixties to outlaw de jure segregation and discriminatory practices in schooling and public accommodations, many de facto discriminatory practices persisted. Delta understood the importance of education, and how educating communities would be essential in eradicating discrimination. In 1971, Delta and the Congressional Black Caucus co-sponsored National Policy Conferences on Education for Blacks, which focused on disparities and deficiencies in schools with high Black populations. The right-to-read program
2623-481: The first foreign chapter in Port-au-Prince , Haiti in 1950. Given the great expansion of programming, and the increasing number of chapters and members, Delta Sigma Theta leadership realized there needed to be one central location in which all properties and records could be housed, and in 1953, Delta had the dedication of its first National Headquarters. In continuing to assist persons in need abroad, Delta established
2684-572: The founding, Delta Sigma Theta members quickly mobilized to build and develop infrastructure and implement programming. One of the first orders of business was to have an oath, which was written by Mary Church Terrell in 1914. In the early years, individual chapters would implement various programs to meet the needs of their local communities. The 1920s began a decade of significant development within Delta Sigma Theta. The organization began to develop uniformity in programming and communication between
2745-533: The general public with owning their homes and investing in homeownership. The program is a resource for individuals seeking information about homeownership; wishing to locate a loan representative who partners with the Delta Challenge; information about mortgage insurance or other benefits; or who has questions regarding real estate or related financial topics. In three years, the program has helped more than 400 families purchase homes. The DST Homeownership Initiative
2806-598: The nation's Capital was held in 1990 in Washington, D.C. At the event, Delta members met with congressional members to discuss policies that affected minorities and women. In 1992, Delta Sigma Theta became the first African American organization to collaborate with Habitat for Humanity and has built hundreds of houses for those in need. Delta held its Summit III, preparing young men for manhood , in 1993, in response to alarming dropout and incarceration rates among young men. In 1996, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity , Delta traveled to Ghana and built 40 homes. Delta adopted
2867-483: The needs of Gulf Coast residents affected by the national disaster. The Hurricane Relief Task Force is responsible for creating strategies to address the numerous difficulties impacting persons displaced by Hurricane Katrina as it relates to housing, health and wellness, and emotional and financial needs. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. made a major commitment to three Historically Black Colleges and Universities that were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Collectively $ 700,000
2928-414: The program to address concerns that black women were limited in their choices of occupations and that they lacked training because of the economy and World War II . Some of the project's goals were to improve working conditions and to improve black women's opportunities to acquire a job. In 2003, the "Delta Challenge: DST Homeownership Initiative" was created to assist sorority members, family, friends, and
2989-497: The proposed changes and got the women to table the discussion until the entire membership had been polled. On January 13, 1913, the women named the sorority Delta Sigma Theta and decided to reorganize and incorporate at that meeting. The new sorority's Alpha chapter was incorporated on February 18, 1913. On January 20, 1930, the organization's Grand Chapter was nationally incorporated. This incorporation allowed them to have authority over all of their chapters. Immediately following
3050-419: The support and action of other major organizations, on the plight of African-American males. Both informal and empirical data suggest that the vast majority of African-American males continue to be in crisis and are not reaching their fullest potential educationally, socially, and emotionally. EMBODI is designed to address these issues through dialogue, and recommendations for change and action. EMBODI will include
3111-491: The world. During the membership intake period, initiates are members of the Pyramid Club. The term soror , Latin for sister , is used among members of the sorority when referring to and addressing each other. Many members have been recognized as leaders in community activism, athletics, business, education and scholarship, entertainment, media, and literature, as well as in government. In 1953, Delta Sigma Theta purchased
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#17328584633023172-571: Was adopted in 1924. Regions were established in 1925, and the Jabberwock was established as the scholarship fundraiser. The scholarship and standards committee was established in 1929. Under the threat of losing its name, the sorority sought national incorporation. On January 20, 1930, the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was incorporated as a perpetual body, which eliminated the need for each chapter to seek its charter. The incorporation of
3233-852: Was adopted. A week in May is set aside for programs highlighting academic and professional achievement. The sorority's first nationwide effort to provide library services in the rural South was the National Library Project, which it authorized in 1937. The program was implemented in 1945, to establish a traveling library in the South , where library services were not generally available for blacks, both because of segregation and because so many blacks lived in rural areas, which had fewer services. The project arose from concerns that few adequate resources were available, outside of those provided by segregated school systems. In 1939, only 94 out of 774 public libraries in
3294-478: Was awarded to Dillard, Xavier, and Southern Universities over four years and a total of more than $ 1.2 million was committed to agencies, organizations, members, and other residents of the affected Gulf areas. Dr. Betty Shabazz's Delta Academy ("Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Preparing Young Women For the 21st Century") is designed for girls ages 11 to 14, who have an interest in developing leadership skills. The program
3355-496: Was created. North and South Carolina left the Southern Region to become part of the new South Atlantic Region. Each of the seven regions is led by a regional director and a collegiate regional representative, who provides a voice for the sorority's college-based members. Regional conferences are held biennially, alternating with the years in which National Conventions are held. Delta Sigma Theta has provided assistance to address
3416-465: Was established in 1918 at the University of Pennsylvania . Soon after, the Delta chapter was established on April 4, 1919 at the University of Iowa and Epsilon chapter at The Ohio State University on November 19, 1919. The women also quickly realized that membership continued beyond undergraduate years and responded to the need for alumnae chapters. The first graduate chapters were authorized in 1920 at
3477-514: Was established in 1973 to help the functionally illiterate. In 1975, Delta established life development centers to focus on issues placed by individuals from early childhood to senior citizens. In 1979, the Fortitude sculpture was unveiled on the campus of Howard University . "Fortitude" was originally surveyed as part of the Smithsonian's Save Outdoor Sculpture survey in 1993. The sculpture depicts
3538-531: Was founded by twenty-two women at Howard University . Some of the founders were former members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority who wanted to change the sorority's name, color, symbols and direction. In 1912, they proposed a vote to change the organization's name. This new name was to reflect the group's desire to change the visual image of the name of the group to look less like Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. The 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta sorority are: According to Delta Sigma Theta's historian, Paula Giddings ,
3599-555: Was held in 1984. The Delta Research and Education Foundation sponsored an international conference in Nassau, Bahamas entitled, "Woman to Woman: Single Parenting from a Global Perspective" in 1987. In 1989, the School America program was established. With significant scope and depth in the existing programming, Delta members felt the need to establish programming that enlarged the scope and reach of sorority activity. The First Delta Days in
3660-631: Was started in 2004 by the Health Taskforce, providing physical and mental health expertise. Some of the program's goals are to educate on the importance and benefits of lifestyle changes affecting longevity, morbidity, and mortality; to identify organizational alliances that work towards addressing pertinent health issues, and to develop and implement health-focused programs. List of African-American fraternities African-American fraternities and sororities are social organizations that predominantly recruit black college students and provide
3721-609: Was the second African American organization, after NCNW, to receive Special Consultative NGO status with the United Nations. Delta Sigma Theta's colors are crimson and cream. Its symbols are the pyramid, fortitude, and the Delta torch. Its flower is the African violet. Its motto is "Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom". The sorority initially expanded with Beta chapter , established at Wilberforce University on February 5, 1914. Gamma chapter
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