109 years ago, the first home electric refrigerator was sold.
109 years ago, the world had not yet seen a world war.
109 years ago, an amendment was made that started income tax.
109 years ago, women were marching and demanding equal voices.
109 years ago, 22 women changed history.
How it All Began
In the early 1900s, the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority was started at Howard University. Alpha Kappa Alpha was the first intercollegiate African-American sorority.
As Alpha Kappa Alpha grew, not all of its sorors were pleased with the direction the sorority was taking. Some of the members wanted more from their sorority. They wanted to move past focusing solely on the collegiate experience and make bigger waves. They were longing to become more politically involved and to tackle topics such as the advancement of women and public service.
The members of Alpha Kappa Alpha held a vote. The outcome was that they would change their name, colors, and symbols to align with their newfound push toward activism. Although the majority voted in favor of the changes, they began to get pushback from graduate members.
Rather than create a schism, 22 women decided to break off from Alpha Kappa Alpha and organize their own sorority. On January 13, 1913, Delta Sigma Theta was born.
Activating Activism
Within two months, the 22 Delta Sigma Theta founders held true to their word. They joined the march of suffragette women down Pennsylvania Avenue on March 3, 1913.
This march, held on the day before the presidential inauguration of Woodrow Wilson, turned dangerous for the women marching. The police presence did not contain the jeering and hostile men in the crowd. The women were determined and continued their march. This demonstration gained the national spotlight, and eventually, the momentum from it helped pass the 19th constitutional amendment in Congress.
Delta Sigma Theta has not slowed in its pursuit of activism to this day. The Delta Sigma Theta sorors focus on service in the "Five-Point Thrust." These five areas are:
- Economic Development
- Educational Development
- International Awareness and Involvement
- Physical and Mental Health
- Political Awareness and Involvement
The programs that fall under the five-point thrust directly enrich the communities that surround each chapter.
Growth
In addition to growing their ambitious social justice and service-oriented pursuits, Delta Sigma Theta has grown from a chapter of 22 total members to the largest Black sorority in the world. Over 350,000 women around the globe belong to Delta Sigma Theta. Do you think those 22 women in 1913 envisioned the 1,000 chapters of Delta Sigma Theta that now dot the globe?
The women of Delta Sigma Theta know that joining is a lifetime commitment to service, scholarship, and social action.
Over the past 109 years, Delta Sigma Theta has made large impacts on the communities where chapters are located. Some of the impacts include:
- Helping individuals and families become homeowners
- Teaching community members about financial security
- Constructing apartment buildings for elderly and disabled individuals
- Providing humanitarian relief to communities after hurricanes
- Uplifting the young women in the community by giving them leadership opportunities and creating a support system for them
- Providing academic scholarships
- Encouraging women to develop healthy habits, specifically combatting heart disease
- Holding conferences teaching sorority members how to become involved politically to make positive changes
The world is a better place because of the contributions of everyone who dons Delta Sigma Theta para and calls themselves a Delta.
Delta Sigma Theta sorors dedicate their life to serving and elevating their communities. From the passing of the 19th amendment to today, Delta Sigma Theta sisters have had, and continue to have, a positive impact on their communities. As the organization grows, so does its reach. With chapters worldwide, Delta Sigma Theta is able to do so much good, just like the original 22 founders wanted.
The 22 Women
All of the positive waves Delta Sigma Theta sorors send throughout the world started with the ripples of the 22 women who wanted more from their sorority experience.
To Osceola Macarthy Adams, Marguerite Young Alexander, Winona Cargile Alexander, Ethel Cuff Black, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Zephyr Chisom Carter, Edna Brown Coleman, Jessie McGuire Dent, Frederica Chase Dodd, Myra Davis Hemmings, Olive C. Jones, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Vashti Turley Murphy, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Mamie Reddy Rose, Eliza Pearl Shippen, Florence Letcher Toms, Ethel Carr Watson, Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Madree Penn White, and Edith Motte Young: we thank you.
Infographic
In the span of 109 years, the world has undergone significant changes, including the introduction of the first home electric refrigerator. In that same era, a pivotal amendment introduced the income tax, reshaping financial systems. Amidst these historical shifts, 22 extraordinary women emerged as catalysts of change, leaving an indelible mark on the course of history and reminding us of the profound impact individuals can have on shaping our world.
