Editing Delta Sigma Theta (section)

==History==

===Creation===
On January 13, 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded by twenty-two women at [[Howard University]].<ref name=":1">Robson, John, ed. (1963). ''Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities'' (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 444-446.</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. |url=https://www.apsu.edu/greek-life/sororities/delta-sigma-theta-sorority.php |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=Austin Peay State University}}</ref> Some of the founders were former members of [[Alpha Kappa Alpha]] 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.<ref name="Gid48">Giddings 1998, op. cit., p. 48.</ref>

The 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta were:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Delta – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc |url=https://www.deltasigmatheta.org/about-delta/ |access-date=2024-08-17 |language=en}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*[[Osceola Macarthy Adams]]
*[[Marguerite Young Alexander]]
*[[Winona Cargile Alexander]]
*[[Ethel Cuff Black]]
*[[Bertha Pitts Campbell]]
*[[Zephyr Chisom Carter]]
*[[Mary Edna Brown Coleman]]
*[[Jessie McGuire Dent]]
*[[Frederica Chase Dodd]]
*[[Myra Davis Hemmings]]
*[[Olive Claire Jones]]
*[[Jimmie Bugg Middleton]]
*[[Pauline Oberdorfer Minor]]
*[[Vashti Turley Murphy]]
*[[Naomi Sewell Richardson]]
*[[Mammie Reddy Rose]]
*[[Eliza Pearl Shippen]]
*[[Florence Letcher Toms]]
*[[Ethel Carr Watson]]
*[[Wertie Blackwell Weaver]]
*[[Madree Penn White]]
*[[Edith Motte Young]]
}}[[File:Deltasigmathetafounders.jpg|200px|thumb|Nineteen of the Delta Sigma Theta founders in 1913]]

According to Delta Sigma Theta's historian, [[Paula Giddings]], the 22 founders believed that Alpha Kappa Alpha 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.<ref name="Gid48" /> During the meeting where the changes were discussed, the past president from a few months prior, [[Nellie Quander]], disagreed with the proposed changes and got the women to table the discussion until the entire membership had been polled.<ref>Giddings, 1998, op. cit., p. 50-51.</ref>

On January 13, 1913, the women named the sorority Delta Sigma Theta and decided to reorganize and incorporate at that meeting.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vroman |first=Elizabeth |title=Shaped to its Purpose, Delta Sigma Theta--the First Fifty Years |publisher=Random House |year=1965 |pages=84}}</ref><ref name="History">{{cite book |last=Ross |first=Lawrence C. Jr. |title=The Divine Nine: The History of African-American and Sororities in America |publisher=Kensington Books}}</ref><ref name="History2">{{cite web |author=Mason, Skip |title=THE APA/DST Connection |url=http://skipmason.com/hm/hm04.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115090640/http://www.skipmason.com/hm/hm04.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2008 |access-date=December 28, 2007 |df=mdy-all}} Retrieved January 5, 2008.</ref> The new sorority's ''Alpha chapter'' was incorporated on February 18, 1913.<ref>Giddings 1998, op. cit., p. 52</ref><ref name=":1" /> On January 20, 1930, the organization's Grand Chapter was nationally incorporated. This incorporation allowed them to have authority over all of their chapters.

[[File:Delta4.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Members at the 1921 national convention (l to r): front, [[Virginia M. Alexander|Virginia Margaret Alexander]], Julia Mae Polk, [[Sadie Tanner Mossell]]; row 2, Anna R. Johnson, [[Nellie Rathbone Bright]], [[Pauline A. Young|Pauline Alice Young]]]]

Immediately following 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 sorority initially expanded with ''Beta chapter'', established at [[Wilberforce University]] on February 5, 1914.<ref>Giddings 1988, op. cit., p. 69-70.</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Johnson Morris |first=Edna |title=The History & Development of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority |publisher=Gary American Publishing Co. |year=1944 |pages=16–17}}</ref> ''Gamma chapter'' 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.<ref>Giddings 1988, op. cit., p. 73-74.</ref>''

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 the Second National Convention for graduate members in New York City and Washington, D.C.<ref>Giddings 1988, op. cit., p. 86.</ref>

The 1920s began a decade of significant development within Delta Sigma Theta. The organization began to develop uniformity in programming and communication between 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.

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.<ref>Giddings 1988, op. cit., p. 89.</ref> Regions were established in 1925, and the Jabberwock was established as the scholarship fundraiser. Under the threat of losing its name, the sorority sought national incorporation. On January 20, 1930, the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta was incorporated as a perpetual body, which eliminated the need for each chapter to seek its charter.<ref>Giddings 1988, op. cit., p. 125.</ref>

===Expansion: 1931–1955===
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The incorporation of the sorority in 1930 allowed Delta Sigma Theta 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 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 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 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 the Maternity Ward at Thika Memorial Hospital in 1955.

===Women's and civil rights: 1956–1970===
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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 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 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]].

=== Golden Anniversary ===
[[File:DSTGolden.jpg|thumb|50th Anniversary 1963]]In 1963, the sorority celebrated its Golden 50th Anniversary was celebrated; this was the same year as the [[March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom]]. Delta Sigma Theta's national president [[Dorothy Height]] was an organizer of the march and was the sole woman to have been seated on the speakers' platform.<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/vieilles_annonces/9584648874/ Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Celebrates 50 years by participating in the March on Washington]. Jet Magazine. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> Delta members were also present at the march in large numbers.

The Golden Anniversary Luncheon was held on January 12, 1963. President [[John F. Kennedy]] addressed the membership, congratulated the sorority on their anniversary, and explained the necessity for all Americans to have equal education opportunities.<ref>[http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/JFKWHA-159-002.aspx Remarks at the Delta Sigma Theta Anniversary Parage 12 January 1963]. JFK Library. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> Vice President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and Supreme Court Justice [[William O. Douglas]] also addressed the membership during the Golden Anniversary Celebration in 1963 at a reception held January 13.<ref name="DST50">Shaped to Its Purpose: Delta Sigma Theta--the First Fifty Years by [[Mary Elizabeth Vroman]] pp 187-189</ref> Founders Osceola McCarthy Adams, Winona Cargile Alexander, Ethel Cuff Black, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Myra Davis Hemmings, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, Eliza Pearl Shippen, Florence Letcher Toms, Wertie Blackwell Weaver, and Madree Penn White were in attendance.<ref name="DST50" /> Soror Mary Elizabeth Vrooman wrote ''Shaped to its Purpose'', a 50-year history of Delta Sigma Theta, which was published in 1965.<ref name="DST50" />

===Education: 1971–1975===
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While many strides had been made in the fifties and sixties to outlaw de jure [[Racial segregation|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 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.

===Support of women and mothers: 1976–1999===

In 1979, the ''[[Fortitude (King)|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.<ref name="SOS">{{cite web|author=Save Outdoor Sculptures!|year=1993|title=Fortitude (sculpture) |work=SOS!|publisher=Smithsonian|url=http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=all&source=~!siartinventories&uri=full=3100001~!324789~!0#focus|access-date= December 14, 2010}}</ref> The sculpture depicts 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.<ref name="Howard">{{cite web|author=Aeja O. Washington|year=2004|title=Lady Fortitude|work=Images of the Capstone|publisher=Howard University|url=http://www.howard.edu/library/ImagesOfTheCapstone/Lady_Fortitude.htm|access-date= December 14, 2010}}</ref> The sculpture was unveiled on April 28, 1979, at 3:15&nbsp;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 the 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta".<ref name="Howard"/>

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, 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.

===National and international programming: 1990–2002===
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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 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 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 [[Eswatini|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 was the second African American organization, after NCNW, to receive Special Consultative NGO status with the United Nations.

=== Centennial Celebration ===
Delta Sigma Theta began a year-long centennial celebration on January 1, 2013. It kicked off its centennial year by being the first Black Greek letter organization to participate in the [[Tournament of Roses Parade]] in [[Pasadena, CA|Pasadena, California]], with a float entitled "Transforming Communities through Sisterhood and Service."<ref name="pasadenanow.com">[http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/african-american-sorority-delta-sigma-theta-makes-rose-parade-history African American Sorority makes Rose Parade History]. Pasadena Now. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> Officials in Pasadena presented a proclamation to national president Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre in honor of the sorority's 100 years of public service.<ref name="pasadenanow.com" />

On Thursday, January 10, 2013, hundreds of members of Delta Sigma Theta gathered in [[New York City]] in [[Times Square]] for appearances on the [[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today Show]] and [[Good Morning America]],<ref>[http://www.today.com/video/today/50421391#50421391 Ambush Makeover Delta Sigma Theta Style]. ABC.com. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> followed by a caravan to [[Washington, D.C.]], which included buses bearing the Centennial logo. Between January 11 and 13, 2013, more than 12,000 members of Delta Sigma Theta convened at [[Howard University]] to participate in a range of activities, including 22 service activities and galas.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/12/delta-sigma-theta-sorority-inc-centennial-dc_n_2462771.html Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Centennial Takes Over DC]. Huffington Post. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> On February 22, 2013, the American and Canadian side of the [[Niagara Falls]] were illuminated with red lights in honor of the sorority's centennial.<ref>[http://www.thecampuscam.com/video/207408/niagara-falls-binational-tribute-to-delta-sigma-theta-sorority-centennial Bi-national Tribute to Delta Sigma Theta] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053804/http://www.thecampuscam.com/video/207408/niagara-falls-binational-tribute-to-delta-sigma-theta-sorority-centennial|date=September 21, 2013}}. Campus Cam. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> Similarly, the [[White House]] was illuminated in red on January 13, 2013,<ref name="blackamericaweb.com">[http://blackamericaweb.com/90046/delta-sigma-theta-sorority-celebrates-centennial-obama-salutes-sorority-photo/ Delta Sigma Theta Celebrates Centennial, Obama Salutes Sorority]. Black America Web. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref>

From March 1 to 5, 2013, thousands of members of Delta Sigma Theta participated in the Delta Days at the Nation's Capital.<ref name="nbcwashington.com">[http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Delta-Sigma-Theta-Reenacts-Womens-Suffrage-March-194671181.html Delta Sigma Theta Reenacts Women's Suffrage March]. NBC Washington. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> This is an annual event in which members of Delta Sigma Theta travel to Washington, D.C. to discuss pertinent issues that affect women and the Black community with members of Congress. On March 3, 2013, the sorority organized a re-enactment of the [[Woman Suffrage Parade of 1913]].<ref name="nbcwashington.com" /> Delta Sigma Theta was the only Black women's organization to participate in the original march. On March 8, 2013, Delta Sigma Theta participated in its tenth annual Delta Day at the United Nations.

In June 2013, Delta Research & Educational Foundation supported an elementary school in [[Cherette]], [[Haiti]] which was impacted by the earthquake of January 2010.<ref name="prnewswire.com">{{cite press release |title=Delta Sigma Theta Opens Elementary School in Haiti |date=June 4, 2013 |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/delta-sigma-theta-opens-elementary-school-in-haiti-210097211.html |access-date=March 17, 2016 |author=Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.}}</ref> In recognition of the foundation's grant, the Chérette school administration will name the school Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Elementary School, The Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre Campus.<ref name="prnewswire.com" />  The rebuilt school included six larger classrooms, new technologies, an administrative office building and access to clean water.<ref name="prnewswire.com" /> Designated areas of the school were named in honor of the seven former national presidents: Frankie Muse Freeman, Thelma T. Dailey, Mona Humphries Bailey, Bertha M. Roddey, Marcia L. Fudge, Gwendolyn E. Boyd, and Louise A. Rice.<ref name="prnewswire.com" />

The sorority celebrated its Centennial Convention in Washington, D.C. the week of July 11 to July 17, 2013.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/washington-dc-celebrates-the-historic-achievement-of-delta-sigma-theta-sororitys-51st-national-convention-and-centennial-celebration-216022421.html Washington, DC Celebrates The Historic Achievement Of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's 51st National Convention And Centennial Celebration]. PR Newswire. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> More than 40,000 members participated in service activities and recognition events. As part of the yearlong celebration, a 22-city tour of the Delta Torch, which symbolized the "passion and commitment to the organization's global reach", kicked off in Los Angeles – with Delta's historic participation in the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade – and continued through [[Seattle]], [[Dallas]], [[Little Rock]], [[Detroit]], [[Atlanta]], [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]], [[New York City]] and [[Baltimore]] and International chapters in [[Japan]] and [[Bermuda]]. The tour culminated in Washington, D.C., at the 51st National Convention on July 11, 2013, when it was passed to the national president, signifying the start of the convention. During the Centennial Convention, the mayor of Washington D.C., honored the work of the sorority by renaming the 1700 block of New Hampshire Ave NW in Washington, D.C. "Delta Sigma Theta Way".<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/top-shelf/2013/07/dc-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-again.html D.C. Rolls out the red carpet (again) for Delta Sigma Theta]. Washington Business Journal. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref>

[[File:DSTPres.jpg|thumb|President Obama meeting with Delta leaders]]

Throughout 2013, Delta Sigma Theta was honored in many ways, including being highlighted in a [[Wal-Mart]] commercial,<ref>[http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7tHX/walmart-sorority Wal-Mart TV Spot, Sorority]. iSpot. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> being honored by an [[NBA]] team, the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]],<ref>[http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/bhc/blog-delta-sigma-theta-130212 Cleveland Cavaliers BHC Blog: Delta Sigma Theta]. Cleveland Cavaliers Blog. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> being featured by [[CNN]], [[MSNBC]], ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', and ''[[The Washington Post]].''<ref>[http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/01/13/on-delta-sigma-thetas-centennial/ On Delta Sigma Theta's Centennial]. MSNBC. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> A Delta Sigma Theta-themed window was dedicated [[The Yard (Howard University)|Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel]] at Howard University.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053345/http://presidentribeau.com/2013/07/13/delta-sigma-theta-sorority-inc-returns-to-the-mecca-for-centennial-celebration/ Delta Sigma Theta returns to Mecca for Centennial Celebration]. President Tribeau. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]] said "Delta means change and Deltas are called to serve... Wherever you see women advancing, you see Deltas!".<ref>[http://still4hill.com/2013/07/16/hillary-clinton-addresses-delta-sigma-theta/ Hillary Clinton Addresses Delta Sigma Theta]. Still4Hill. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> President [[Barack Obama]] invited the Delta leadership to the White House and addressed them in the Oval Office.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130720142204/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-07-16/local/40604633_1_sorority-president-obama-michelle-obama President Obama to meet with head of Delta Sigma Theta sorority]. Washington Post. Retrieved September 7, 2013.</ref> The president addressed closing gala attendees via video.<ref name="blackamericaweb.com" />[[File:DST Torch.svg|thumb|right|90px|Delta Sigma Theta's Torch]]