Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
A Public Service Sorority Founded in 1913
1707 New Hampshire Avenue N.W. ▲ Washington, DC 20009 ▲ (202) 986-2504 ▲ Telefax (202) 986-2513
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 28, 2012
Contact:
Bernadine W. Stallings, (202) 986 – 2400
[email protected]
Ella McNair, (202) 986 – 2400
[email protected]
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Celebrates 100 Years of Service
WASHINGTON — Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the single largest African-American women’s organization in the
country, will celebrate its 100-year anniversary beginning Jan. 1, 2013 and continue throughout the remainder of the year.
Several centennial events have been scheduled across the country to commemorate the Sorority’s founding on Jan. 13,
1913. Events include, but are not limited to: participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.; a Delta
Torch Tour across 22 cities; Centennial Founders Day Weekend; Reenactment of the Women’s Suffrage March; and the
51st National Convention. The festivities will allow more than 250,000 initiated members, representing over 900 chapters
in the United States, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the U.S. Virgin
Islands, to observe the Sorority’s Centennial year.
Led by National President, Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, for the past five years, the organization has operated under the
theme, “Delta Sigma Theta – A Sisterhood Called to Serve: Transforming Lives, Impacting Communities.” Since its
inception 100 years ago, the public service organization has promoted academic excellence in education; community
service; and participation in political and legislative processes.
“The women of Delta Sigma Theta have been and remain a vital contributor to the success of our communities and a
defender of rights of all people for 100 years,” said Butler-McIntyre. “We are going to take this year to honor the rich
legacy of our 22 Founders, celebrate the inheritance they generously placed in our hands, and humbly take up the torch
they lit for us to carry and pass on to the next generation.”
Delta
Torch
Tour
On New Year’s Day, the Olympic-style Delta Torch will be lit in Los Angeles. The torch will stop in 22 cities across the
country including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and Seattle as well as two of the organization’s international chapters located
in Tokyo, Japan and Bermuda. Selected members of the Sorority will carry and pass the Delta Torch as a burning symbol
of the passion and commitment that has fueled the organization’s global reach. The journey will culminate at the
Sorority’s 51st National Convention in Washington, D.C., July 11 – 17, 2013. The torch will then be handed to the
National President, signifying the start of the convention.
“Sorors from Los Angeles to Tokyo are looking forward to starting the new year paying homage to our 22 Founders,” said
Butler-McIntyre. “If it were not for our Founders’ innate awareness of the power within every black woman and the
realization of a need for an increase in social consciousness on their campus, we would not be the organization we are
today.”
Tournament
of
Roses
Parade
and
Hollywood
Gala
Also scheduled for Jan. 1 are Delta Sigma Theta’s other Centennial Kick-Off events. The members will begin their
centennial year by becoming the first African-American women’s organization and the first black Greek-letter
organization to have a float in the historic Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. The float’s theme is “Transforming
Communities through Sisterhood & Service,” emphasizing Delta’s commitment to humanitarian efforts worldwide. The
Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre
National President
Dr. Paulette Walker
National First Vice President
Chelsea C. Hayes
National Second Vice President
Beverly E. Smith
National Secretary
Terri R. Prunty
National Treasurer
Roseline McKinney
Executive Director
55-foot long structure is a breathtaking floral tribute to the Sorority’s Founders, its past and present leadership, as well as
its members. The organization’s Executive Committee, including the National President, will ride the float with at least
five of the Sorority’s Past National Presidents. One-hundred members will flank the sides as a visual representation of
Delta’s 100 years. Twenty-two additional members will march in honor of the 22 Founders.
That evening, the celebration will continue with a Hollywood-style Gala at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles' L.A.
Live Complex. During the gala, national and community leaders will be recognized for their extraordinary public service,
as well as entertainers whose work has positively influenced society. Popular recording artists are scheduled to perform.
Centennial
Founders
Day
Weekend
An estimated 12,000 Deltas will descend upon Washington, D.C. the weekend of Jan. 11 – 13, 2013 to celebrate the
founding of the Sorority. Members will participate in various activities, including service projects and a banquet honoring
Jeff Immelt, CEO of General Electric, and renowned actress and civil rights advocate Ruby Dee for their contributions
and support of Delta Sigma Theta’s initiatives.
On Jan. 10, 2013, nearly 2,000 Deltas will travel in a bus caravan from D.C. to New York for Media Day. Members will
stand in Rockefeller Center and Times Square, outside of the network morning news shows (the “Today Show” and
“Good Morning America”), donning Delta paraphernalia in the Sorority’s official colors – crimson and cream – while
holding signs announcing the Sorority’s 100th anniversary. At the conclusion of Media Day, the Honorable Mayor
Michael Bloomberg will greet members. Then Deltas will travel in the “Delta Caravan” from New York City back to
Washington, D.C. where the Centennial Founders Day Weekend will commence with a Rededication Ceremony and
luncheon on Saturday, Jan. 12; an Ecumenical Service, Founders Day black-tie dinner, and Honors Gala on Jan. 13.
Women’s
Suffrage
March
Reenactment
and
Delta
Days
in
the
Nation’s
Capital
(DDNC)
In March, the Centennial Celebration will reconvene for a Women’s Suffrage March Reenactment during the Sorority’s
annual legislative conference, Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital, March 2 – 5, 2013.
The reenactment will recreate the day the Sorority’s Founders participated as the only African-American organization in
the Women’s Suffrage March on March 3, 1913 – the first public service act of the Sorority.
DDNC began in 1989 as a means to increase members' involvement in the national public policy-making process. DDNC
includes legislative briefings, issue forums, and advocacy skills development. Featured speakers range from members of
the United States Congress to national issues experts.
51st
National
Convention
The Sorority’s 51st National Convention will be held in Washington, D.C., July 11 – 17, 2013. Members will address
issues related to the socioeconomic conditions impacting communities across the globe, especially the African diaspora.
The organization will continue its legacy of promoting political awareness and involvement through voter education,
advocacy for health care reform and equal educational opportunities. Delegates will also address physical and mental
health challenges that continue to plague children and adults worldwide. Special centennial celebratory activities will be
held including: Deltas on the National Mall, Welcome Events, and entertainment, which will be announced at a later date.
“This is not only a momentous occasion for our organization, but a testament to the power of all women determined to
change the world for the better and be a voice for the underprivileged and underserved,” said Butler-McIntyre. “The
accomplishments of Delta Sigma Theta over the past 100 years give us many reasons to be thankful and require us to
pause to pay tribute to our Founders, past leadership, and all those who have helped us along our journey. One year of
celebrating those successes may not be long enough to honor those who came before us. It will take a lifetime to truly give
them and our Founders the honor they deserve.”
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University to promote academic excellence; to
provide scholarships; to provide support to the underserved; educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive
public policy; and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities. Today Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has
over 250,000 members and more than 900 chapters worldwide. The Sorority uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic
development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness
and involvement to create its national programs.
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