LaConnie Taylor-Jones

When I hear the names of the founders of my organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated – Osceola McCarthy 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 – I immediately think of my pledgeship and how my line sisters and I had to learn those names…in alphabetical order. I remember the days and nights studying who they were and why they were so important to us. I also remember the pride that I felt knowing that I would be a part of an organization founded by such illustrious women of color.

These women have inspired me to go on to higher heights. As a Delta, you are expected to be better, know more, and do more. When you read what our founders accomplished in their lifetimes, it makes you want to aspire to greatness.

The founders were great educators, well organized, and artistic. The reason we exist is because of service. Several of the founders were dissatisfied with the lack of service in the organization they left to found Delta. Being a Delta means you are willing to give back to your community in an inventive and innovative way. Many great Sorors are known because of their service – service to their country and service to their craft. Sorors like Shirley Chisholm, Ruby Dee Davis, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Barbara Jordan, Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, Gwendolyn Boyd, Vashti McKensie, Natalie Cole, Wilma Rudolfph, Cicely Tyson, and our own illustrious president, Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, to name a few.

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The Bond of Sisterhood

Recently, I attended the Writer’s Digest Conference in New York City. Having achieved the goal of being both a self-published and traditional author, I was there to learn how to build my marketing platform to take my writing career to the next level. The buzz word was social media. According to Joseph Thornley, CEO of Thornley Fallis, Social media are online communications in which individuals shift fluidly and flexibly between the role of audience and author. To do this, they use social software that enables anyone without knowledge of coding, to post, comment on, share or mash up content and to form communities around shared interests. As I sat there listening to the oral presentations, my mind drifted back to over forty years ago when I was a young student at Howard University on the threshold of my career.

In the sixties, we didn’t have computers and social media. But we had something that was just as powerful, if not more so—sororities and fraternities. I was in my senior year when I pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and several months later I graduated. Forty years later, the Tantalizing 28, met for their fortieth reunion during the 2007 Howard University Homecoming. I hadn’t seen most of my line sisters since 1967. I was excited about the reunion, but also apprehensive. Would they remember me? I wondered. I was only with them such a short time.

When I walked through the door of my soror’s home for the Friday night meet and greet, I cried as so many arms reached out and embraced me that no amount of online social media networking could accomplish. A weekend of activities gave us the chance to get acquainted again, but always knowing that the bond was still there as evident by the next day’s event. My book signing at the Howard University Bookstore was overflowing with sorors in their red and white. I know that social marketing has its place in today’s high tech world. But it is the human contact and bond of my sorors that has touched my heart.

In 2013, Delta Sigma Theta will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. I look forward to seeing my line sisters again. I am grateful for the 22 women who probably never heard of the phrase social media, but knew that the bond of sisterhood could never be a broken link.

Sisterly,
Soror June Michael

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FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT

Jimmie Bugg Middleton - Jimmie Middleton was the President and National Treasurer of the National Association of College Women. She also served as Dean of Girls at the Black High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was an active supporter of Delta from Lynchburgh, Virginia. She helped lobby Delta Sigma Theta to participate in the march for Women’s Suffrage. In 1936, she received her Master’s Degree at Howard University. By 1938, after years of effort, the Raleigh Alumnae Chapter, Alpha Zeta Sigma, was established in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1944, she was appointed to the Scholarship Board of New York’s 22nd Congressional District.

May Week
May Week was created at the second national convention of Delta Sigma theta Sorority, Inc. in 1920, at Wilberforce University. Since its conception in 1921, May Week has been observed by local chapters around the world. The purpose of May Week is to emphasize the importance of higher education in the community, especially for Black women. The slogan “Invest in Education” was adopted, and a week in May is set aside for programs highlighting academic and professional achievement.

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‘Renaissance Women 1913-2010: A Call to Action’

Deltas can do it all, parent, work a job, run a committee meeting, serve in a leadership role at church, juggle a number of other organizations, and still manage to whip up dinner and carve out a few minutes of family time at the end of the day to spend with hubby and kids. As authors, we even have the nerve to extend the day by throwing in a chapter or two on whatever books we’re currently writing. Busy, busy, busy, taking charge, making things happen, that’s what we do…but in this hectic world and intense times, the question becomes is that what we need to do? So often we’re pulled, more like stretched in many directions, often too thin to be truly effective at any one project unless we’re willing to pay the price of exhaustion and potentially burn out. Haven’t we all seen the super Delta who is asked to serve on multiple committees, numerous fundraisers, and on and on, until she gets tired and moves to an inactive status.

Sorors, stop for a second, take a breath, regroup and let’s be focused. There is work to be done and we must be at the top of our game. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” – Luke 10:2. The causes deemed noteworthy to a group of twenty two poised young women in 1913 still exist today: promoting academic excellence, boldly addressing injustice, and helping others in need.

As we ebb towards the end of a decade marred with social unrest, wars, global economic destruction, and political history, the need for Delta Sigma Theta involvement is great. Every soror is needed as we move into 2010. For those who’ve taken a rest and are sitting on the sideline, this is your Call to Action. We need you recharged, revitalized, restored and ready to do the work we aspire to do as members of our illustrious sisterhood. For those working tirelessly and at times feeling overwhelmed, we need you to reduce the load, scale back enough to preserve your health so that your contributions are fruitful for years to come. For those who are carrying their share, keep on keeping on in the name of Delta, recognizing that you are impacting your community, but as a collective, united, sisterhood, we are impacting the world.

Sisterly,
Soror Patricia Haley-Glass

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My Sisters
I cannot think of a better way
to tell my sisters how much
I appreciate them today.
Because without a word they have
read my mind, and
helped me to discover that which I could not find.
They provided silent support when
a hug was all I needed
and treated me like a winner
when I felt quite defeated.
They stood with me both when I
soared and fell to my face.
My sisters always held me up high and
told me it was my place.
But I’m not the only life my sisters continue to touch.
Through their compassion, fortitude, and strength,
the do so much.
Dedicated to public service and
meeting the needs of others,
they seek justice, provide education,
promote the arts,
and are great mothers.
And before I bring this poem to an end,
I must thank each for being our loyal friend.
With purity of heart and honesty of character,
My sisters have made our lives
at least a little better.
So, I count my blessings
for my sisters everyday.
I count my blessings,
because they are Delta women
all the way.
Published in Delta Girls Stories of Sisterhood©

Sisterly,
Soror Linda Everett Moye’, JD

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Pledging ON and IN Purpose!

I have been a Delta for seventeen years. I remember watching the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated on the campus of Florida State University. They were intelligent, they were involved in every facet of the University and they appeared to really be united. I remember saying, “I want to be a part of that organization!” I was a senior when my heart’s desire was manifested. I was one of the oldest members on my line, “Dawn of a Crimson Revolution!” Many people didn’t think a senior would be chosen for the line. They thought it would be too late for me. However, a Delta woman possesses certain qualities and characteristics that draw her to Delta…and Delta to her!

When people ask me why I chose to pledge, I respond that I pledged ON and IN Purpose! I know today we call it membership intake, but seventeen years ago, I think the term pledge said a mouth full!

I pledged to commit myself to a life time of community service. I pledged to embrace a wonderful sisterhood of women around the world. I pledged to uphold the ideals and values of this sisterhood. I pledged to seek justice for all people. I pledged to be a woman of great character and integrity. I pledged to use my gifts and talents for the betterment of mankind. I pledged ON purpose!
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FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT

Jessie McGuire Dent - A native of Texas, Jessie Dent was recognized for her many contributions to the Galveston community. She was instrumental in the integration of the Galveston Public School System. As a result of her efforts, her portrait was placed on permanent display in the Texas Cultural Archives.

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The National Library Project
The sorority’s first nationwide effort to provide library services in the rural South was the National Library Project, which was authorized in 1937. It was implemented in 1945, with the goal of establishing a traveling library in the South where library services were not available for Blacks. The project arose from concerns that few adequate resources were available, outside of those provided by segregated school systems. In 1939, only ninety-four out of seven hundred and seventy-four public libraries served Blacks living in the South. Additionally, only five percent of Blacks living in rural areas had access to any public institution at all. The first traveling library was based in Franklin County, North Carolina where twenty-five book baskets containing thirty-five books were circulated.

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Chasing Tiffany

Freshman year in high school presents everyone with new and varied challenges. For me, appearance was the Achilles heel. I was so concerned with how I looked to other people. I wouldn’t go as far as to call it vanity, because at that time I didn’t see myself as much to look at. Yet, even in my naïveté, I realized that some girls had IT. What is IT? Oh, you know what I’m talking about. IT is that thing that makes the boys smile when you walk in the room. IT did not have to try to get the attention – IT was automatically received. IT was this appeal that made the other girls wonder how they could be like you. IT seemed to be unadulterated admiration.

Well, upon entering high school, I’d personally decided that this enigma I called IT was tied to one’s outer appearance. Likewise, I assumed that selecting the cutest outfits from “5-7-9” and wearing make-up provided by “Wet n’ Wild” (2 for $1) was the shortest route to IT. Unfortunately, much of the attention that I spent on my outer appearance would have been put to better use in Algebra 1. Nevertheless, I was always well dressed, well groomed, and, well, overlooked. Especially compared to Tiffany.

Tiffany, whose last name I will withhold, was a girl in my freshman class. We were both in the same homeroom and saw each other every day. Therefore, on a daily basis, I got to see the boys react to Tiffany. And I also heard them talk about her when she wasn’t around. For weeks, I sat dumbfounded as to why she was Miss IT. On the surface, she was about 5’5, with an athletic build and not a curve yet to be found. On most days she wore (and I’m not kidding) navy blue jogging pants, a pink oxford shirt, and gray running shoes. In the face, she looked like a cute version of Bugs Bunny – mainly because of the large, round, purple and black eyeglasses that she couldn’t see without. To add insult to injury, she wore her ash-black shoulder-length hair pulled back in a plain ponytail with her bangs held back from her face with a bobby pin. The Lord knew not to give me hair like that back then because I would have given myself a severe case of whiplash…

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FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT

Zephyr Chisom Carter - Featured as one of two seniors in Crisis Magazine in 1913, Zephyr Carter soon after began her teaching career in San Antonio, TX. Further pursuits led her to California where she attended business college and went on to sing backgrounds for movies and television shows.

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The History of Jabberwock
In an interpretation of the immortal classic “Alice in Wonderland,” Lewis Carroll created the delightful character known as “Jabberwock” who summoned all of the creatures in the kingdom to perform a gala event. Being mindful of this concept, Delta member Marian G. Conover Hope of Iota Chapter (Boston, Massachusetts) creatively recalled this mystical character, but in a dramatically different manner, when faced with the challenge of devising plans for a fundraising project. Conceptualized in 1925 as a musical variety show that consisted of skits and dances, the Jabberwock has since evolved into a more diverse program that continues to raise funds for scholarships and other Delta sponsored public service projects.

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FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT

Bertha Pitts Campbell - born in Kansas, Mrs. Campbell became a teacher there after graduating with distinction from Howard. In 1917, she married Earl Campbell and they became parents of a son, Earl Jr. The family lived in Colorado before moving to Seattle in 1923. In Seattle, Campbell was a committed activist and organizer as well as a Charter Member of the Christian Friends for Racial Equality. She was the recipient of a YMCA Achievement Award. At the age of 92, she led 10,000 Deltas in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the Founders of Delta Sigma Theta’s participation in the 1913 suffrage march.

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1913 Women Suffrage March
Less than two months after their founding, Delta Sigma Theta’s first public service act took place during the 1913 Women’s Suffrage March on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. The twenty-two founders marched with honorary member, Soror Mary Church Terrell under the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority banner on the day prior to Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration. They felt Black women needed the right to vote in order to protect themselves against sexual exploitation as well as promote quality education, assist in the work force, and racial empowerment.

However, Delta’s founders and other Black female marchers were subjected to racism, not only by people who were opposed to the enfranchisement of women, but by march organizers reluctant to advocate suffrage for Blacks. For example, Soror Mary Church Terrell recalled how she and Delta Sigma Theta’s founders had to assemble in an area specifically allocated for Black women. Although the young twenty-two founders were criticized, none regretted their participation in the march. Years later, Founder Florence Toms commented, “We marched that day in order that women might come into their own, because we believed that women not only needed an education, but they needed a broader horizon in which they may use that education. And the right to vote would give them that privilege.”

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