
Since there was no charter, there was no authority to form other chapters, thus limiting their ability to expand the scope of their activities. According to Delta Sigma Theta's historian, Paula Giddings, the 22 young women were concerned that since Alpha Kappa Alpha was not incorporated, there was no "legal entity". This new name was to reflect the group's desire to change the direction of the group. In 1912, they proposed a vote to change the organization's name.

Some of these initiates wanted to change the sorority's name, color, and symbols.

On January 13, 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded by twenty-two women at Howard University, a few of whom had earlier been initiated into the Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The African Violet is one of Delta Sigma Theta's recognized symbols. The sorority is most known for its collaboration with community organizations and corporations to further its programming goals.The sorority reached a centennial year and became the first Black Greek-lettered organization to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, on January 1, 2013, with a float entitled "Transforming Communities through Sisterhood and Service". Delta Sigma Theta has created programming to improve political, education, and social and economic conditions, particularly within black communities. The first public act of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was its participation as students of Howard University in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington, D.C., on March 3, 1913. The current (28th) National President and CEO is Elsie Cooke-Holmes. Delta Sigma Theta is also a member of the umbrella organization National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) – an organization of nine international Black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities. The sorority currently has over 1,000 chapters located in the Bahamas, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bermuda, Canada, England, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, West Africa and South Africa, South Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States. and has more than 350,000 initiated members who are college-educated women. The sorority is one of the largest sororities founded in the U.S. Women may apply to join through undergraduate chapters at a college or university or through an alumnae chapter after earning a college degree. Membership is open to any woman who meets the requirements, regardless of religion, race, or nationality. Delta Sigma Theta was founded on Januby twenty-two women at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The organization was founded by college-educated women dedicated to public service with an emphasis on programs that assist the African American community. ( ΔΣΘ) is a historically African American sorority. Over 1,000 (including alumnae chapters)ĭelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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For the professional pharmaceutical fraternity, see Delta Sigma Theta (professional).ĭelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is an organization of college educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community.


This article is about the historically African American service sorority established in 1913.
