History of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is a, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. Founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University, the Sorority is currently a sisterhood of more than 200,000 predominately Black college educated women. This includes 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Canada, England, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Republic of Korea.
The major programs of the sorority are based upon the organization’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust:
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History of the Sumter Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The Chapter is especially proud of the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, Delta Gems, and EMBODI Programs which support youth in the age ranges of 11-18 years old. We are also proud of the holiday projects which we support each of the service areas. In support of our commitment to Scholarship and Standards, annually we give $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors in each of the service areas.
One of the chapter’s stellar program is the Delta Cotillion held every other year in March which young ladies are presented to the community and are exposed to a variety of public service projects, cultural events and educational programs. Sumter Alumnae also engages in a very strong Social Action Initiatives based on the national and regional directives and the local concerns. Sumter Alumnae maintains close ties with Xi Rho Chapter at Morris College since its inception. The diligent work and concerns of Sumter Alumnae are responsible for chartering Xi Rho and continues to support the collegiate sorors. Additionally, scholarships are given to a Xi Rho collegiate soror who excels academically. Sumter Alumnae will celebrate 75 years of service to the community in October 2022. |
Sumter Alumnae Programs
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/FINANCIAL FORTITUDE
National economic trends, such as unstable employment, the threat to Social Security as we know it, and the widening gap between wealth and poverty are the basis for the development of Financial Fortitude, the current Economic Development Program Initiative of Delta Sigma Theta. Financial Fortitude is a process that will help program participants to set and define goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and to put the plan into action. The process serves as a blueprint to address all aspects of personal finances. The Sorority has made available chapter tools for the process, including a Money Smart Adult Education Program and a Money Smart computer -based instruction tool from the FDIC to complement the Financial Fortitude Program.
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT/DR. BETTY SHABAZZ DELTA ACADEMY
Delta Academy is a program designed for young ladies between the ages of 11-14 who possess an interest in the following areas:
DELTA COTILLION
The Sumter Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Delta Cotillion is held every other year as a means of introduce young women to Sumter Alumnae Chapter’s Delta Community initiatives. Through workshops this program will provide cultural awareness, educational initiatives, health and wellness, personal and financial responsibilities. Each debutante will participate in fundraising for scholarships. The proceeds from the cotillion are channeled back into the community by giving financial aid to community projects, awarding annual scholarships to deserving high school and college students and promoting enterprises for civic betterment.
DR. JEANNE L. NOBLE/DELTA GEMS
Delta Gems was created to catch the dreams of African American at-risk, adolescent girls aged 14-18. Delta GEMS provides the frame work to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a CAN DO attitude. The goals for Delta GEMS are:
To instill the need to excel academically; to provide tools that enable girls to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success; to assist girls in proper goal setting and planning for their futures high school and beyond; and
to create compassionate, caring, and community minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.
The Delta GEMS framework is composed of five major components (Scholarship, Sisterhood, Show Me the Money, Service, and Infinitely Complete), forming a road map for college and career planning. Topics within the five major components are designed to provide interactive lessons and activities that provide opportunities for self-reflection and individual growth. Delta GEMS, like Delta Academy, is implemented by chapters of Delta Sigma Theta.
INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT/PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH/HEALTH TASK FORCE
The mission of the Health Task Force is to educate and facilitate lifestyle change for the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of Sorors and the communities that we serve.
The Health Task Force objectives are to:
Raise awareness about the importance and benefits of lifestyle changes that affect longevity, morbidity, and mortality; identify organizational alliances for the sorority that will work to address pertinent health issues; and develop and implement health-focused programs within the sorority and the communities we serve. Through the Lifestyle Change Initiative, Delta Sigma Theta will work to combat the high incidence of obesity among women. The first priority of our Lifestyle Change Initiative is The Total Woman Healthy Weight Program which challenges chapters to a commitment to achieve healthier weights.
Delta has embraced the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign. Heart disease is women's #1 killer a fact that most women don't know. The program raises awareness of the risks and causes of heart disease and focuses women on healthier life styles.
POLITICAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT/SOCIAL ACTION
Sumter Alumnae chapter promotes activities to ensure that Sumter, Lee, and Clarendon countries voices are heard through our participation through Voter Registration, Delta Days at the Nation’s Capital, Delta Days at the United Nations and Delta Days at the State Capital. Social Action impact the legal process for the enactment of laws for the protection of our serving communities and for the repeal of those depriving human beings of their privileges.
National economic trends, such as unstable employment, the threat to Social Security as we know it, and the widening gap between wealth and poverty are the basis for the development of Financial Fortitude, the current Economic Development Program Initiative of Delta Sigma Theta. Financial Fortitude is a process that will help program participants to set and define goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and to put the plan into action. The process serves as a blueprint to address all aspects of personal finances. The Sorority has made available chapter tools for the process, including a Money Smart Adult Education Program and a Money Smart computer -based instruction tool from the FDIC to complement the Financial Fortitude Program.
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT/DR. BETTY SHABAZZ DELTA ACADEMY
Delta Academy is a program designed for young ladies between the ages of 11-14 who possess an interest in the following areas:
- Developing their leadership skills
- Learning and exploring new things
- Math, Science and Technology
- Careers that are considered non-traditional
DELTA COTILLION
The Sumter Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Delta Cotillion is held every other year as a means of introduce young women to Sumter Alumnae Chapter’s Delta Community initiatives. Through workshops this program will provide cultural awareness, educational initiatives, health and wellness, personal and financial responsibilities. Each debutante will participate in fundraising for scholarships. The proceeds from the cotillion are channeled back into the community by giving financial aid to community projects, awarding annual scholarships to deserving high school and college students and promoting enterprises for civic betterment.
DR. JEANNE L. NOBLE/DELTA GEMS
Delta Gems was created to catch the dreams of African American at-risk, adolescent girls aged 14-18. Delta GEMS provides the frame work to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a CAN DO attitude. The goals for Delta GEMS are:
To instill the need to excel academically; to provide tools that enable girls to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success; to assist girls in proper goal setting and planning for their futures high school and beyond; and
to create compassionate, caring, and community minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.
The Delta GEMS framework is composed of five major components (Scholarship, Sisterhood, Show Me the Money, Service, and Infinitely Complete), forming a road map for college and career planning. Topics within the five major components are designed to provide interactive lessons and activities that provide opportunities for self-reflection and individual growth. Delta GEMS, like Delta Academy, is implemented by chapters of Delta Sigma Theta.
INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT/PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH/HEALTH TASK FORCE
The mission of the Health Task Force is to educate and facilitate lifestyle change for the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of Sorors and the communities that we serve.
The Health Task Force objectives are to:
Raise awareness about the importance and benefits of lifestyle changes that affect longevity, morbidity, and mortality; identify organizational alliances for the sorority that will work to address pertinent health issues; and develop and implement health-focused programs within the sorority and the communities we serve. Through the Lifestyle Change Initiative, Delta Sigma Theta will work to combat the high incidence of obesity among women. The first priority of our Lifestyle Change Initiative is The Total Woman Healthy Weight Program which challenges chapters to a commitment to achieve healthier weights.
Delta has embraced the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign. Heart disease is women's #1 killer a fact that most women don't know. The program raises awareness of the risks and causes of heart disease and focuses women on healthier life styles.
POLITICAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT/SOCIAL ACTION
Sumter Alumnae chapter promotes activities to ensure that Sumter, Lee, and Clarendon countries voices are heard through our participation through Voter Registration, Delta Days at the Nation’s Capital, Delta Days at the United Nations and Delta Days at the State Capital. Social Action impact the legal process for the enactment of laws for the protection of our serving communities and for the repeal of those depriving human beings of their privileges.