These women share a special bond they’re members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for more than a hundred years the largest african-american sorority has stood the test of time Errol gene Bell read wearing the sororities crimson and white colors joined 11 years ago it’s about the cohesive pneus of the
Sisterhood it’s about this shared desire for service and the commitment to service delta sigma theta was founded in nineteen thirteen by 22 women at Howard University in Washington the sorority of college-educated women pledged to perform public service in the black community Gwendolyn Boyd heads the group centennial celebrations she says that
Nearly six weeks after its founding delta sigma theta members took part in the historic women’s suffrage march in washington our founders were the only african americans in the suffrage march and they did that marching for the rights of women to vote even before african-americans had the right to vote
But they were visionary women knowing that if they participated in that movement that eventually the rights for African Americans would come the deltas have participated in every major civil rights march since then Vanessa Thomas says the organization is unique that’s what differentiated Delta in the first place is that our founders sought to
Make a difference not just a social club or for entertainment but more importantly to reach out and make a difference in our communities and that check again is for 25,000 for years the sororities local chapters have funded programs providing assistance to persons in need and promoting academic excellence we have
Our own individual projects where we work with young people in mentoring and preparing them for school and success we provide scholarships to young people to allow them to continue their pursuits for academic excellence for Francine and Cynthia Blake the sorority has been a part of their family for generations I’m
Just high off Delta right now today at this moment I have my sister here with me who’s also a delta and we were made in the same chapter although I was made before her she’s the oldest but I was made before her and unfortunately I have a daughter that’s also a delta today
Delta sigma theta has two hundred and sixty thousand members for the next century these sorority sisters say they will continue to leave their mark on black history while helping transform the lives of young people Chris Simpkins VOA news Washington
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