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Joining the local members in their commemoration of the 99th
anniversary of the establishment of the sorority was Beverly
Evans Smith, national secretary, who spoke to The Truth of
her excitement over the approaching centennial.
“The Deltas were founded in 1913 and chapters all over the
country celebrate Founders Day during the months of January,
February and March. Next year we will have a huge 100 year
celebration,” said Smith.
Next year will feature a January celebration at Howard
University in Washington, D.C., Smith said. Howard was the
college where 22 women founded the Deltas.
In addition to the January celebration, the Deltas will
reenact a march in March of next year in Washington to
commemorate the sorority's first public act 100 years ago
when the 22 founders walked with the suffragettes to
advocate for women's right to vote.
That march featured 22 black women walking alongside about
5,000 white women, said Smith.
The culmination of the national celebration will also be
held in Washington, D.C. With the national conference in
July of next year.
The UT chapter was founded here in 1937 by seven young women
and the BGSU chapter in 1960 by eight women students and
three advisors.
This year's event featured a welcome by Alumnae President
Robin Stone and an opening rendition of “Lift Every Voice
and Sing.”
National Secretary Smith was the keynote speaker.
Then members were recognized for their years of service.
Clara Brank, Sandra Strong and Gina Thompson were
acknowledged for 25 years of service; Willie Odell Chancy
and JoAnn Smith for 50 years of service.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc is a public service
organization dedicated to a program of sharing membership
skills and organizational service in the public interest.
The Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of the sorority is:
economic development, educational development, international
awareness and involvement, physical and mental health and
political awareness and involvement.
This year's Founders' Day Committee consisted of: Chairman
Angela Siner, Trevor Black, Clara Brank, Odell Chancy, Sue
Fletcher, Joyce Henderson, Bessie Mack, Karen Sherman-Sorina
and Jeannine Tyree. |
