Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded on January 13, 1913 at Howard University by 22 undergraduate women. These young women wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to persons in need. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide services and programs to promote human welfare. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has a membership of over 190,000 predominately African-American, college-educated women. The Sorority currently has 870-plus chapters located in the United States,  Japan, Germany, Bermuda, Haiti, Liberia, the Bahamas, the Republic of Korea and the Virgin Islands. The major programs of the Sorority are based upon the organization's Five-Point Program Thrust: Economic Development Educational Development International Awareness and Involvement Physical and Mental Health Political Awareness and Involvement Program Development and Implementation in Delta is a cooperative function with several committees and executive board members involved. Those with direct leadership responsibilities for implementation include members of the Program Planning and Development Committee, Social Action Commission, Commission on Arts and Letters, Information and Communications Committee, Membership Services Committee and Regional Officers. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., owns property located at 1703-1709 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., which is its National Headquarters office and the headquarters of Delta Research and Education Foundation (DREF).