I HEART MY DST - part deux - After the Altar Call

The Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Hello World!!!

In honor of the founding of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on January 13, 1913, I have decided to dedicate today’s post to my beloved sorority. My post is a history lesson of sorts, and I will be taking my information from the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Web site and other Web sites.

On this day, 97 years ago, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded by 22 students at Howard University in our nation’s capital. These women aspired to promote academic excellence while serving the community around them. In fact, their first public act as a sorority was to march in the Women’s Suffrage March in Washington, D.C. in March 1913. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was incorporated in 1930.

Since then, woman of fortitude from all over the world, some 940 chapters, have become members of this illustrious sorority. The largest African-American Greek-lettered sorority in the world, our motto is “intelligence is the torch of wisdom.” Let me take the time to honor some of the women who include being a Delta on their long list of accomplishments. In no particular order…

Soror Vashti Murphy McKenzie – the first female bishop elected in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is also the national chaplain of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and granddaughter of Delta founder Vashti Turley Murphy.

Soror Murphy McKenzie

Soror Regina Benjamin – the 18th surgeon general of the United States. Dr. Benjamin previously ran a non-profit medical clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Her clinic was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and one day before the clinic was scheduled to reopen, the clinic was destroyed by fire. However, Dr. Benjamin forged ahead, rebuilding the clinic a second time.

Soror Alexa Canady-Davis – the first African-American woman to become a neurosurgeon. Soror Canady-Davis is the daughter of Soror Hortense Canady, a past national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Soror Canady-Davis

Soror Keshia Knight Pulliam – an actress from the groundbreaking televison show “The Cosby Show.” Although an adult, Soror Knight Pulliam is affectionately known the world over as “Rudy,” the character she played on the hit show.

Soror Jacque Reid – a journalist known for work with BET Nightly News and a host of other news organizations. Soror Reid can be heard every Tuesday and Friday on the “Tom Joyner Morning Show” educating its listeners about black women throughout the world in the segment “Inside Her Story.” She is currently on the VH1 reality show “Let’s Talk About Pep” with her friend Pepa of famed rap group Salt N Pepa.

Soror Stephanie Perry Moore – a Christian fiction novelist. Soror Perry Moore, who has penned over 25 inspirational titles, is also a motivational speaker and community activist.

Soror Denise L. Nappier – the first African-American woman to serve as a state treasurer in the country. As the state treasurer for Connecticut, she oversees a budget of $50 billion.