Little Known Black History Fact: The Women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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Posted By: Hija Chang on February 01, 2018 FEATURED Content On January 13, 1913 on the campus of Howard University, 22 female students founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. With the strength of those 22 women, the organization has grown to over 200,000 strong all over the world. A not-for-profit public service sorority, some of the world’s top professionals are members. Women like Sadie T.M. Alexander, who, in 1921, became the nation’s first woman to earn a Ph.D. in economics. Alexander was also one of the founders of the National Bar Association and the first president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Brigadier General Hazel Johnson Brown was the first black woman general in the United States Army and was a Delta Soror. Civil rights activists Dr. Dorothy Height and Myrlie Evers-Williams were Deltas. And as we approach the King Day celebrations, we salute Tina Allen, who was commissioned to do major sculptures, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as renowned sculptor Elizabeth Catlett. While the organization was founded in the month of January, another significant date for the sorority is March 3, 1913. This was the first public act of service for the women, as the founders marched in the first women’s suffrage parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. The march was organized by Alice Paul and the National American Woman Suffrage Association. While still living in a segregated society, the black women marchers were asked to march at the end of the parade by organizers, for fear of losing the support of southern voters. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was incorporated in 1930. They hold biannual national conventions, with regional conferences on non-national convention years. The 22 Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated: Winona Cargile Alexander Madree Penn White, Wertie Blackwell Weaver Vashti Turley Murphy Ethel Cuff Black Frederica Chase Dodd Osceola Macarthy Adams Pauline Oberdorfer Minor Edna Brown Coleman, Edith Motte Young Marguerite Young Alexander Naomi Sewell Richardson Eliza P. Shippen 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 https://blackamericaweb.com/ DST: http://www.deltasigmatheta.org/ If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Hija Chang
Management, See Moss Interactive Bellarmine University class of 2021 Member Since January 2011 |
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