Happy Founders Day

For 21 years I have been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Through my membership in Delta I have met some of the most talented, smart, dedicated women. I have been able to travel to Regional and National events while serving as committee member, committee chair and 2nd Vice President.

Today is our 96th birthday of the founding of my beloved sisterhood. To the 22 women who had the vision and courage to step out in faith to form our sisterhood. I thank you. To all of the women who have served in a leadership capacity moving us forward. I thank you. To the "big sisters" who saw in me the potential to live up to our virtues. I thank you. And to all my Delta sisters around the world-I love you.

I am proud to be a...DST!

History

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University. These students wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to persons in need. The first public act performed by the Delta Founders involved their participation in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington D.C., March 1913. Delta Sigma Theta was incorporated in 1930.

Notable Deltas

This provides a glimpse of some of the people who helped mold a legacy to make Delta Sigma Theta a powerful force -- more than a sorority.

Sadie T. M. Alexander, Ph.D., 1st National President (1919-1923), was the nation's first woman to earn a Ph.D. in economics (1921). A distinguished attorney, she was among the founders of the National Bar Association (1925) and she was appointed to President Truman's Commission on Civil Rights (1945).

Brigadier General Hazel Johnson Brown, Ph.D., was the first African American woman general in the United States Army.

Alexa Canady, M.D., at age 26 became the first Black woman neurosurgeon in the United States. She specializes in pediatric neurosurgery.

Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman member of the U.S. Congress, was the first African American and first woman to run as a major party candidate for the presidency of the United States.
Ruby Dee Davis is an extraordinary actress with performance credits on stage, in film and on television. She has also written a collection of poetry.

Dorothy I. Height, Ph.D., 10th National President (1947-1956), was appointed by President Carter to the Presidential Commission on a National Agenda for the 1980s. She has served as president of the National Council of Negro Women for over 40 years.

Alexis Herman was the Secretary of Labor and a Cabinet Member in the administration of President William Clinton.

Barbara Jordan was the first African-American to serve in the U.S. congress from the South since reconstruction; first Black woman to preside over a state senate; and the first Black person to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.

Stephanie Tubbs-Jones was a Congresswoman in the United States House of Representatives for the 11th District of Ohio.