Karsceal Turner – I Got NEXT!
Part Two: Not your Mama and Daddy’s Divine Nine
Established on January 13, 1913 on the campus of Howard University by 22 women, the first public act of Delta Sigma Theta was the Women’s Suffrage march in Washington D.C. The march took place on March 3, 1913, only two months after these sisters were chartered and incorporated. Impressive isn’t the word, try OUTSTANDING, they have been about their business for over a century.
Chocolate City is STILL on fire with that Crimson and Crème.
The purpose of DST is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. Since its founding more than 200,000 women have joined the organization. The organization is a sisterhood of predominantly Black, college educated women. The sorority currently has 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, England, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Republic of Korea.
The organization kicked off its centennial year celebration by being the first Black Greek Lettered Organization to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA on January 1, 2013 with a float entitled “Transforming Communities through Sisterhood and Service.” When Deltas do something, they do it BIG.
Biggest of ALL Black Greek Letter Organizations
Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is the largest African-American Greek-lettered organization period. Don’t hate. Here are some notables for you to exemplify how Deltas always do it big.
Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman member of the U.S. Congress, was the first African-American and first woman to run as a major party candidate for the presidency of the United States.
Carrie P. Meek (Bethune-Cookman alum), served as Congresswoman for the 17th District of Florida for ten years. She was the first African-American elected to represent Florida in the United States House of Representatives since Reconstruction.
Brigadier General Hazel Johnson Brown, Ph.D., was the first African-American woman general in the United States Army. I’d be here all day listing notable Deltas such as: Dr. Betty Shabazz, Maya Angelou, Dr. Dorothy I Height, Nikki Giovanni, Aretha Franklin, Keisha Knight-Pulliam, , Adrienne-Joi Johnson, and Lena Horne, lord yes LENA! Hey, that was my short list.
Within Central Florida, specifically Daytona Beach, here is a quick shout out to: Cathy Washington, Julia Cherry, Carla Lester, Jenise Morgan (Tampa).
Delta Sigma Theta is a member of multiple organizations, including the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) – an organization of nine international Greek-letter sororities and fraternities – as well as the NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). The current 25th national president is Dr. Paulette Walker.
On collegiate campuses, their reach is extensive from my memory – one in 10 is a Delta (damn near). I also remember them being as fierce about service within the community as they were about their sisterhood.
Hazing is not limited to men
Sisterhood, however, is not without its troubles or issues. A quick gander at the DST website will reveal chapters that are under suspension including Beta Alpha at FAMU, and Iota Pi at Florida International University. As a man who was once hazed. I believe members who are familiar with pledging rituals will tell you that the process creates bonds that lasts a lifetime. It can also create equally lasting scars, and it ain’t just limited to men.
The probationary “pledge” period was supposed to be a time for candidates become fluent in the history of the organizations. However, due to imput of members who returned from military duty it became more chaotic even to the point of candidates losing their lives all in the name of a given organization. Lawsuits ensued and said organizations adopted a “no hazing” policy, although small pockets still operate as renegades.
Every, single organization I will cover throughout this year has had an issue with hazing in one form or another. I’ve known dudes who pledged hard, crossed, and never returned to uplift the chapter, or adhere to the vision of the founders. On the other hand, I’ve known dudes who never had a hand laid on them who are stand-up, hard-working members of the organization and are a credit to society.
I’m willing to bet you have a Delta in your family or at least an Aunt or cousin who acts like one. You know the type; A sister who understands that intelligence is the torch to wisdom, one who stands out in a crowd and commands attention through her intelligence. I have personnaly been blessed with many Delta women throughout my life and I’m a better man for it. My hats off to the sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, specifically my Aunt Nell Marie Preston (R.I.P.) also my Aunt Nancy C. Turner, and cousins, LaShonda Yvonne Mobley, and Danielle Jones.
