January 13, 1913 marked the dawn of a new horizon in the history of black women. On that day, twenty-two indelible young women from Howard University set the foundation for what is now one of the largest Black women's organizations in the world-Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Inspired by the need for change, these women combined their strengths under the principles of scholarship, sisterhood, and service. Dancers, writers, actresses, educators, social workers, mothers, and sisters were all titles attributed to the remarkable founders of Delta Sigma Theta. But above all they were trailblazers who rose above segregation and racism to become the first African-American women to serve in many professions.
Ninety-four years later Delta Sigma Theta remains, unmatched in her dedication to scholarship and public service. Now more than 200,000 women share in the rich legacy of:
Osceola Macarthy Adams
Marguerite Young Alexander
Winona Cargile Alexander
Ethel Cuff Black
Bertha Pitts Campbell
Zephyr Chisom Carter
Edna Brown Coleman
Jessie McGuire Dent
Frederica Chase Dodd
Myra Davis Hemmings
Olive C. Jones
Jimmie Bugg Middleton
Pauline Oberdorfer Minor
Vashti Turley Murphy
Naomi Sewell Richardson
Mamie Reddy Rose
Eliza Pearl Shippen
Florence Letcher Toms
Ethel Carr Watson
Wertie Blackwell Weaver
Madree Penn White
Edith Motte Young
Inspired by the need for change, these women combined their strengths under the principles of scholarship, sisterhood, and service. Dancers, writers, actresses, educators, social workers, mothers, and sisters were all titles attributed to the remarkable founders of Delta Sigma Theta. But above all they were trailblazers who rose above segregation and racism to become the first African-American women to serve in many professions.
Ninety-four years later Delta Sigma Theta remains, unmatched in her dedication to scholarship and public service. Now more than 200,000 women share in the rich legacy of:
Osceola Macarthy Adams
Marguerite Young Alexander
Winona Cargile Alexander
Ethel Cuff Black
Bertha Pitts Campbell
Zephyr Chisom Carter
Edna Brown Coleman
Jessie McGuire Dent
Frederica Chase Dodd
Myra Davis Hemmings
Olive C. Jones
Jimmie Bugg Middleton
Pauline Oberdorfer Minor
Vashti Turley Murphy
Naomi Sewell Richardson
Mamie Reddy Rose
Eliza Pearl Shippen
Florence Letcher Toms
Ethel Carr Watson
Wertie Blackwell Weaver
Madree Penn White
Edith Motte Young
