PI CHI CHAPTER

SORORITY HISTORY 

 

  On January 13, 1913, twenty-two phenomenal women founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Wishing to de-emphasize the social aspect of sorority life, our beloved founders instead demonstrated genuine concern for social welfare and cultural enrichment while promoting high academic standards.

     With a growing membership, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. continues to attract the brightest college educated women. The ideals and principles of the twenty-two founders have become an integral part of the lives of over 280,000 women in over 900 chapters nationally and internationally including Liberia, Haiti, Germany, the Virgin Islands, Korea, and Nassau Bahamas, thus making Delta Sigma Theta the largest of all the Black Greek letter organizations. Delta Sigma Theta has been shaped by its members. These women have committed to a lifetime of serious endeavors and public service. The sorority's initiatives are based on its Five Point Thrust Program. Delta continues to serve the community in numerous capacities, providing services and programs to promote human welfare.

     The core of Delta Sigma Theta is sisterhood. This deep and abiding bond based on love and respect has sustained our organization, allowing it to withstand the test of time. Bound by a common experience steeped in tradition, the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. continue to set the standard of scholarship, service, and SISTERHOOD.

Delta was founded on three basic principles scholarship, public service, and sisterhood. These ideas have withstood the test of time and are exemplified through the many programs Delta sponsors. Each undergraduate as well as alumnae chapter develops programs in reference to the needs of their community. These public service programs are centered around Delta's Five Point Thrust:

  • Economical Development

  • Educational Development

  • Physical and Mental Health

  • Political Awareness and Involvement

  • International Awareness and Involvement

Economic Development
Financial planning, consumer education, money management, investments and employment opportunities are but a few of Delta's concerns addressed under economic development. Delta's most outstanding economic effort in support of the communities it serves is the Adopt-A-Black Business program. The aim of this program is to assist Black entrepreneurs to reach a productive "self-sufficiency level" in business world.

Educational Development
Each year, local Delta Chapters conduct projects designed to address the community's concerns about excellence in education. On a national level, Delta's pursuit of educational excellence takes the form of scholarships and grants to individual members and local chapters. Scholarships are given to both undergraduate and graduated members who have shown excellence in the field of law, communications and the study of science.

Physical and Mental Health
Delta is also concerns with America's physical and mental health. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. efforts in prevention and “wellness” translate to health education programs and health fairs as well as provision of health care services. Delta also supports medical research that examines illnesses that victimize specific segments of the country's population.

Political Awareness and Involvement
Though non-partisan in nature and purpose, Delta understands the importance of the need for an informed electorate. Delta's concern for the public's "need-to-know" and the enfranchisement of all Americans has been the philosophical basis for public service programs in this area. Voter registration and voter education programs, workshops and seminars highlighting elected public official assessment and accountability are ongoing and successful.

International Awareness and Involvement
Delta has a rich history of involvement in the international arena. The building and maintenance of the maternity wing at the Thika Memorial Hospital in Kenya, West Africa, to Delta's identification of 1987 as the "Delta International Year" underscores Delta's commitment to understanding the world. The "African Diaspora," a Delta Cultural Awareness/Study Program focused on the dispersion of the peoples and cultures of Africa through the continents of North and South America, Europe, Asia and the island countries in the eastern and western hemispheres.

 

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