Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2025

January 13, 1913, is the date upon which Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated came into being. It was founded by 22 Howard University collegians – Winona Cargile (Alexander), Madree Penn (White), Wertie Blackwell (Weaver), Vashti Turley (Murphy), Ethel Cuff (Black), Frederica Chase (Dodd), Osceola Macarthy (Adams), Pauline Oberdorfer (Minor), Edna Brown (Coleman), Edith Mott (Young), Marguerite Young (Alexander), Naomi Sewell (Richardson), Eliza P. Shippen, Zephyr Chisom (Carter), Myra Davis (Hemmings), Mamie Reddy (Rose), Bertha Pitts (Campbell), Florence Letcher (Toms), Olive Jones, Jessie McGuire (Dent), Jimmie Bugg (Middleton), and Ethel Carr (Watson). All of the sorority’s members were initiates of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, which was founded on January 16, 1908. When a disagreement about the future of the organization arose between the active chapter and the alumnae, an ultimatum was given, decisions were made, and in the end, the active members left Alpha Kappa Alpha and became Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Myra Davis Hemmings went from being the president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter to being president of the Delta Sigma Theta chapter. Many of the first meetings took place in Edna Brown Coleman’s living room. The 1913 Valedictorian and Class President, she married Frank Coleman, a founder of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Florence Letcher Toms’ hobby of collecting elephant figurines led to the animal becoming the sorority’s symbol.

Two months later, on March 3, 1913, the sorority walked in the historic suffrage march in Washington, DC. They were the only African-American women’s group to participate. Honorary member Mary Church Terrell, an ardent suffragist and civil rights activist, joined them in their march. She inspired and mentored the women. Terrell wrote the Delta Oath in 1914.

Below are links to posts about previous #WHM profiles. I invite you to learn more about these interesting women.

Beverly Danielle Boston was an initiate of the Morgan State College (now University) chapter.

Beverly Danielle Boston, Delta Sigma Theta, #WHM2024

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Gloria Tribble, Ph.D., was an alumna of Youngstown State University, Kent State University and the University of Akron.

Gloria Tribble, Ph.D., Delta Sigma Theta, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2023

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Eva B. Dykes, Ph.D., was an initiate of the Howard University chapter.

Eva B. Dykes, Ph.D., Delta Sigma Theta, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2022

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Dr. Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander was an initiate of the University of Pennsylvania chapter. Dr. Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, Delta Sigma Theta, #NotableSororityWoman, #WHM2021

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Vivian Osborne Marsh helped establish the collegiate chapter at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Omega Sigma (Berkeley Bay Area) Alumnae Chapter.