The Distinguished Founders of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated

History

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority 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 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.
To further its public service goals, Delta Sigma Theta operates under Five Point Program Thrust:

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a private, non-profit organization who's purpose is to provide
services and programs to promote human welfare. Their membership is over 190,000 predominately
African-American, college-educated women. The sorority currently has 900 plus chapters located in the
United States, Japan, Germany, Bermuda, Haiti, Liberia, The Bahamas, The Republic of Korea, and
The Virgin Islands.


Some of the Many Distintinguished Women of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
 

Soror Sadie T. M. Alexander, Ph.D
Soror Alexander was the 1st National President (1919-1923) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,  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).

Soror Carol Moseley-Braun
Soror Braun made history by being the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992. She currently serves as senator for the state of Illinois.

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

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

Soror Shirley Chisholm
Soror Chisholm was 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.

Soror Johnetta B. Cole
Spelman College's former president, Soror Dr.Cole, has served her students well over the years and is embraced as "Sister President" by the Spelman students. In 1992, she was asked by President Clinton to help set the nation's educational agenda.

Soror Ruby Dee Davis
Soror Davis is an extraordinary actress with performance credits on stage, in film and on television. She has also written a collection of poetry.

Soror Aretha Franklin
Soror Franklin has rocked America for the past three decades and has generated 17 number-one songs. No wonder she is known as "The Queen of Soul".

Soror Paula Giddings
Soror Giddings did an excellent job of researching the history of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her work is compiled in a very informative book that she authored - In Search of Sisterhood. She is currently working on a biography of the antilynching crusader Ida B. Wells.

Soror Nikki Giovanni
Soror Giovanni has made her mark in society as an innovative poet. Her latest book is entitled Racism 101. One of her poems that is very dear to our chapter is "Ego Tripping".

Soror Patricia Roberts Harris
Soror Harris was the first Black woman to be appointed ambassador to a European country (Luxembourg) and to be appointed to a presidential cabinet post as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She was later appointed as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Soror Lena Horne
In addition to her dynamic voice, Soror Horne has been greatly admired for her youthful beauty. At 77, she has performed all over the country for more than 60 years.

Soror Judith Jamison
Soror Jamison has astounded audiences for years with her graceful dancing style. She has danced with the Alvin Ailey dance troupe and has also organized her own modern-dance troupe - the Jamison Project. She currently works as the artistic director for the Alvin Ailey company.

Soror Barbara Jordan
Soror Jordan has been a very influencial figure in the political arena. She served as the state of Texas as congresswoman and was a professor at the University of Texas.

Soror Leontyne Price
This acclaimed opera diva has charmed audiences for several decades. Soror Price has helped to open doors into this profession by becoming one of the first Black opera divas.

Soror Wilma Rudolph
Soror Wilma Rudolph was the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympiad. Before she died, she served as Track Director and Special Consultant on Minority Affairs at DePauw University.

Soror Betty Shabazz
Soror Dr. Betty Shabazz was the director of communications and public relations for Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. She is widely recognized as the widow of Malcolm X.

Soror Niara Sudarkasa
Soror Sudarkasa made history by becoming the first woman president of Lincoln University, America's oldest black college. Prior to he appointment at Lincoln, she made history by becoming the first black woman to receive tenure at the University of Michigan.

Soror Mary Church Terrell
Soror Terrell made history by becoming the first Black woman to serve on a citywide board of education in Washington, D.C.

Soror Myrlie Evers-Williams
Soror Williams is the Chairman of the Board for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Soror Nancy Wilson
Soror Wilson has had over 30 albums on Billboard Charts and has produced a slew of hit records. She is a ballad singer with hits such as "Save Your Love for Me". Soror Wilson also had her own Emmy Award-winning series entitled "The Nancy Wilson Show".
 
 

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