Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University. These students wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to persons in need. The first public act performed by the Delta Founders involved their participation in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington D.C., March 1913. Delta Sigma Theta was incorporated in 1930.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide services and programs to promote human welfare.

The Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has a membership of over 200,000 predominately African-American college-educated women. The sorority currently has 900-plus chapters located in the United States; Tokyo,Japan; Okinawa, Japan; Germany; Bermuda; the Bahamas; Seoul, Korea; and St. Thomas and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.