Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. a nonprofit public service organization, was
founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two female students at Howard University
in Washington, DC. These students demonstrated a vital concern for social
welfare, academic excellence and cultural enrichment, de-emphasizing the social side
of sorority life. The first articles of incorporation of Alpha Chapter were filed
with the Recorder of Deeds, the District of Columbia on February 18, 1913.
In 1930, the organization was incorporated as a private, non-profit organization
for the purpose of providing services and programs to promote human welfare.
From the first undergraduate chapter, Alpha Chapter, the sorority has grown to
an organization of 800 graduate and undergraduate chapters with more than
185,000 members nationally and internationally in countries such as West Germany,
Haiti, Liberia, The Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.
On December 27, 1919, the first National Convention of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority was assembled at Howard University with Soror Sadie T.M. Alexander
presiding. In 1920 the first graduate chapters were formed in New York City and
Washington, DC, providing an opportunity for women who had already completed their
college training to join the sisterhood on the graduate level.
Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a public service sorority,
dedicated to a program of sharing membership skills and organizational service in the
public interest. The Five-Point Program Thrust of the Sorority are as follows: Economic
Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical
and Mental Health and Political Awareness and Involvement.
In November of 1959, members
of Delta Sigma Theta from the Akron, Canton, and Massillon communities made application to
the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta for the formation of the Akron-Canton alumnae
Chapter of Delta sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In January of 1960, the chapter application
was approved by the Midwest Regional Director Frances Flippen, the National Secretary Anne
L. Campbell, and the National President Jeanne Noble.
On Friday, March 4, 1960, the Akron-Canton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc. was chartered in Canton, Ohio by thirteen women. These women of vision saw
the need for the public service organization in our community. On Sunday, March 6, 1969,
the Chapter held it first public presentation "Delta Comes to Akron-Canton" at
the historic Wesley Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The name of the
Chapter was changed in 1988 to the Akron Alumnae Chapter.
Since the chartering of the chapter in 1960 until the present, the members have been
committed to fulfilling the Sorority's public service mission. The chapter has provided
more than $140,000 in scholarships to area youth through the efforts of the Debutante
Cotillions, the Annual Scholarship Fund and fundraising on behalf of the united Negro
College Fund.
Additionally, the Chapter has excelled in sponsoring numerous public service
activities for the community, such as sponsoring artistic experiences through the Arts
& Letters Commission, social and political awareness programs through the Social
Action Commission, providing over 20,000 books to elementary students from the Reading is
Fundamental (RIF) program, various Teen Lift programs.
Raising funds for Habitat for Humanity, providing food and other
necessities to senior citizens at our annual Senior Citizens Holiday Party, served as
mentors for residents of the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority's Edgewood Homes through
our Harambee Program, participating in the Akron Beacon Journal's "Coming
Together" project for racial harmony, and countless other public service
activities.
