About Us
Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. ~ First Row: Winona Cargile Alexander, Madree Penn White, Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Vashti Turley Murphy, Ethel Cuff Black, Frederica Chase Dodd Second Row: Osceola Macarthy Adams, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Edna Brown Coleman, Edith Motte Young, Marguerite Young Alexander, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Eliza P. Shippen Third Row: Zephyr Chisom Carter, Myra Davis Hemmings, Mamie Reddy Rose, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Florence Letcher Toms, Olive Jones, Jessie McGuire Dent, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, Ethel Carr Watson
Sorority's History
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is an organization of college-educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. Since its founding, more than 300,000 women have joined the organization. The organization is a sisterhood of predominantly Black, college-educated women. The sorority currently has over 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Canada, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Republic of Korea, the Arabian Gulf, Southern Africa and West Africa.
The major programs of the Sorority are based upon the organization’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust:
Economic Development
Educational Development
International Awareness and Involvement
Physical and Mental Health
Political Awareness and Involvement
For more information, visit our national website at deltasigmatheta.org.
Chapter History: A Historical Perspective
Gainesville Alumnae Chapter Charter Members ~ October 26, 1985
Initial discussions regarding chartering a Delta chapter in Gainesville, Florida were plagued with mixed feelings, as the Ocala Alumnae Chapter was tightly knit. However, travel to and from Ocala for meetings/programs created a hardship for many members. Members saw a great need to have a chapter in Gainesville because they knew that Delta could positively impact this unique community. Gainesville members moved forward with the full support of those from the Ocala Chapter.
Jean Ingram and Beatrice Madison spearheaded the chartering process. Regional Director, Verdelle Bellamy, conducted the Chartering Ceremony. There were 72 Sorors present, representing four area chapters. Thirty-nine of the 40 chapter members signed the charter.
Chartered on October 26, 1985, the Gainesville Alumnae Chapter (GAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. continues to positively impact the Gainesville community into the new millennium. Since that time, the chapter has instituted, established, and participated in a variety of workshops, service projects, and programs which have fulfilled the Five Point Thrust of the sorority.