Our History
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. These students wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to those in need. 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.
The Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has a membership of over 200,000 predominately African American, college-educated women, with 900-plus chapters located in countries throughout the world.
First Row: Winona Cargile Alexander, Madree Penn White, Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Vashti Turley Murphy, Ethel Cuff Black, Frederica Chase Dodd
Second Row: Osceola Macarthy Adams, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Edna Brown Coleman, Edith Motte Young, Marguerite Young Alexander, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Eliza P. Shippen
Third Row: Zephyr Chisom Carter, Myra Davis Hemmings, Mamie Reddy Rose, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Florence Letcher Toms, Olive Jones, Jessie McGuire Dent, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, Ethel Carr Watson
Our Mission
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is an organization of college educated women committed to constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community.
Statement of Purpose
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. Since its founding more than 200,000 women have joined the organization. The organization is a sisterhood of predominantly Black, college educated women. The sorority currently has 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, England, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Republic of Korea. The major programs of the sorority are based upon the organization's Five Point Programmatic Thrust. More than ten thousand members typically attend Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated's biennial national conventions, and each of the seven regional conferences (held during years when there is no national convention) typically hosts thousands of members. At its recent 51st National convention held in the District of Columbia, more than 38,000 members registered and attended.
Local History
On February 2, 1980, in St. James AME Zion Church, Ithaca Alumnae Chapter was chartered by the National Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Rev. W. Pender III, St. James’ pastor gave the Welcome, Soror C. Armstead, Delta’s Eastern Regional Director, was guest speaker and the late Mr. James Gibbs gave the Community’s Response. The sixteen chapter founders began Ithaca Alumnae Chapter with a solemn pledge to foster high ideals in the moral, social and intellectual like of the community.
ITHACA ALUMNAE CHAPTER CHARTER MEMBERS
Myrtle Bell, N. Yolanda Burwell, Earlene Carr, Eloise Curry, Otelia Duboise, Ida Futch, Dorothy Garner, Shirley Harrell, Joycelyn Hart, Mary Knox, Shiriki Kumanyika, Violet McGirth, Vashti Peagler, Marjorie Penalver, Eleanor Rice, Ernestine Walker
Donations
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and provide more scholarships to underserved students. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
