Editing Delta Sigma Theta (section)

===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.