Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Centennial Founders' Day Celebration January 10, 2013-January 13, 2013

One hundred years ago, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service sorority, was
founded January 13, 1913 on the campus of Howard University by twenty-two college
women. Since its founding, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has attracted some phenomenal
women like Mary McCloud Bethune, Dorothy I. Height, Patricia Roberts Harris,
Barbara Jordan, and Charity Edna Earley.

I was inspired to become a Delta by two notable Deltas I came in contact at J. C.
Corbin High School, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. They were Dr. Phyllis Bernard Greenhouse,
(my home economics teacher, homeroom teacher, class advisor}, and Miss Willie B.
Thomas, ( my American History Teacher and sponsor of J. C. Corbin
National Honors Society).

I knew when I matriculated at AM&N College (Agricultural, Mechanical, and Normal
College) in the fall of 1953 that I would pledge Delta Sigma Theta. I wanted to be like
Mrs. Greenhouse and Miss Thomas. I pledged in October, 1954, my sophomore
year. Etta Walker was president of Delta Eta Chapter.

My membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was signed by Dorothy
I. Height, President, Grand Chapter, May 11, 1955. Other signatories were
Nellie G. Roulhac, Secretary, Grand Chapter; Barbara L. Ware, President, Delta
Eta Chapter; Bobbie J. Sutton, Secretary, Delta Eta Chapter.

Delta women have made significant contributions through its Five Points Program.
Teachers have been the pathway to Delta by many account. I am proud to be an
inheritor of a legacy of achievement and dedication to public service.

I heard Delta's call in the footsteps of Founder Frederica Chase Dodd. I chose Atlanta
University for graduate studies and became a professional social worker.

I am honored to be associated with such an exemplary group of Delta women who
make a difference in the community. I am pleased to have been affiliated with the
Dayton Alumnae Chapter since 1959 and to have served on the African-American
Book Project, the Arts and Letter Committe, chairperson of Heritage and Archives,
and the first speaker for the Adopt A Deb luncheon. I am proud to be a fifty-seven
year Golden Life Membership Delta.

To walk on Howard University's campus where Delta Sigma Theta began one hundred
years ago was awe inspiring. Small acrons produce great oak trees. The vision of
Delta's twenty-two founders which shaped this might sorority is alive and well. Today,
there are over 190,000 members.

Sharing this Centennial Founders' Day Weekend and hotel (Mayflower Renaissance)
were my long time friend, Soror Diane D. Walker and travelling friend, Soror
Rosalyn Wilcox Givens. The three of us were at Delta Sigma Theta National
Convention in Philadelphia in 2006. Diane and Rosalyn were Line Sisters, inducted
at Ohio State University, Epsilon Chapter in 1956.

There was a lot of excitement. We had come to be a part of this once in a life time
celebration. My most memorable moment was the reenactment of the founding of
the sorority in a special dramatic presentation, "An Idea Conceived." My eyes
welled up with tears when I contemplated on how these twenty-two young, college
women had the right vision, acted on that vision, and made a difference that has
lasted a century.

Footnotes:
My Line Sisters were Betty Fitzhugh and Kay Francis Carr.

Delta Eta Chapter Members during my time at AM&N were:
Edith F. Brown, M. Faye Beavers, L Juanita Reddick, Harriett V. Elliott,
Evelyn George, Pearl J. Fisher, Edith M. Robinson, Barbata L. Ware,
Maggie Clary, Lucy M. Williams, Bobbie J. Sutton, Georgia C. Bush,
Barbara W. Thomas, Carla J. Crenshaw, Deloris Teague, Everlean Summers,
Mirlean Tatum, Deloris Grant, Alsenia Grant, Shirley Harrison, Nadine Cornelius,
Dorothy York, Norma Hearn, Fredda Washington, Lucy Williams, Betty Smith.

Great American Coin

I am round like a circle
and shaped like a ring.

I can be found around homes
in banks and dealer's shops.

I have a first and last name,
like you have a first and last name.
But sometimes called four bits.

I am an American, well-known in history,
an educator and founder of Tuskegee University.

I can be spent or
collected as a hobby.

I am made of precious metal
like silver is precious.

I am shiny to the eye, cool to the hand,
a great commemorative to own.

I am the Booker T. Washington fifty cent coin.


* The Booker T. Washington commemorative
    silve half-dollar was issued (1946-1951)
    by the United States Mint to honor the
    ideals and teachings of this American Educator.