Delta Sigma Theta History Lecture Notes

Founding of Delta Sigma Theta

• Date of Founding: January 13, 1913
• Location: Howard University, Washington, D.C.
• Founders: 22 women, some were members of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA)
  • Key initial members from AKA:
    • Myra Davis Hemmings (President)
    • Ethel Cuff Black (Vice-President)
    • Edith Motte Young (Secretary)
    • Jessie McGuire Dent (Corresponding Secretary)
    • Winona Cargile Alexander (Custodian)
    • Frederica Chase Dodd (Sergeant-at-Arms)
    • Pauline Oberdorfer Minor (Treasurer)

Motivation for Founding

• Dissatisfaction with Alpha Kappa Alpha's focus on campus society
• Desire to address public service and women's advancement
• Aimed to establish a national organization with a broader purpose
• Desired changes:
  • Name to Delta Sigma Theta
  • Symbols and colors
  • Political orientation

Conflict and Resolution

• Conflict with graduate members preferring the old name and status quo
• Decision to split from Alpha Kappa Alpha after a reorganization deadline
• Official creation of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on January 13, 1913
• Delta Sigma Theta's Grand Chapter incorporated on January 20, 1930

Delta Sigma Theta Today

• Membership: Over 350,000 women worldwide
• Chapters: 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters
  • Locations include: USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, Caribbean, and more
• Focus Areas: The Five-Point Thrust
  • Economic development
  • Educational development
  • International awareness and involvement
  • Physical and mental health
  • Political awareness and involvement

Founding Members Highlights

• Osceola Macarthy Adams: Birth - Albany, GA; Death - NYC, NY
• Marguerite Young Alexander: Birth - Springfield, IL; Death - Chicago, IL
• Winona Cargile Alexander: Birth - Columbus, GA; Death - Jacksonville, FL
• Bertha Pitts Campbell: Birth - Winfield, KS; Death - Seattle, WA
• Zephyr Chisom Carter: Birth - Texas; Death - Los Angeles, CA
• Edna Brown Coleman: Birth and Death in Washington, D.C.
• Jessie McGuire Dent: Birth and Death in Galveston, TX
• Frederica Chase Dodd: Birth and Death in Dallas, TX
• Myra Davis Hemmings: Birth - Gonzales, TX; Death - San Antonio, TX
• Olive C. Jones: Birth - South Carolina; Death - Washington, D.C.
• Jimmie Bugg Middleton: Birth - Lynchburg, VA; Death - Raleigh, NC
• Pauline Oberdorfer Minor: Birth - Charlottesville, VA; Death - Philadelphia, PA
• Vashti Turley Murphy: Birth - Washington, D.C.; Death - Baltimore, MD
• Naomi Sewell Richardson: Birth - Chester County, PA; Death - Washingtonville, NY
• Mamie Reddy Rose: Birth - Belton, SC; Death - Le Roy, NY
• Eliza Pearl Shippen: Birth unknown; Death - Hyattsville, MD
• Florence Letcher Toms: Birth unknown; Death - Hyattsville, MD
• Ethel Carr Watson: Birth - Parkersburg, WV; Death - Windham, CT
• Wertie Blackwell Weaver: Birth - Kansas City, MO; Death unknown
• Madree Penn White: Birth - Atchinson, KS; Death - Shaker Heights, OH
• Edith Motte Young: Birth in North Carolina; Death unknown

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These notes capture the founding history, present status, and notable founders' biographies of Delta Sigma Theta, one of the most significant African American sororities.