Delta Sigma is a sorority that has come together with the objective of carrying out public and social service for the Afro-American community. For people who do not know what sorority means, it is nothing but a group of women who have come together for a social cause. It is not just restricted to issues relating to Afro-Americans but they also try to tackle issues which tend to bother the American society and the world in general. The sorority has been in existence from 1913, and most of its members are distinguished personalities in their own respective fields. Most of these members feel that they were able to gain higher ranks in their profession after becoming a part of the Delta Sigma group.
Let us have a look at the history of the group. The Delta Sigma sorority was founded in 1913, as mentioned earlier, by 22 Afro-American female college students at the Howard University. The group was first associated with another sorority called Alpha Kappa Alpha. However, Delta wanted its autonomy and wanted to function on its own and not as an extension to any other group. With this move, the group was able to function more actively in all departments of its cause. The first cause that Delta Sigma lends its support to was the Suffrage March held for women on the 13th of March at Washington D.C.
The sorority has its presence not only in America but some other parts of the world like Europe and Asia. The sorority has membership of more than 200,000 females and this makes it the biggest and most active sorority in the world. Most of the delta alumnae are employed in fields of service like education, administrators, and counselors. Though the group was initially with the objective of helping the Afro-American society, admissions into the group are not based on any particular race, age or religion. Women even from Asia and other non-African community members can be a part of this group.
When the sorority started out, its main objective was to help the poor and deprived people with their educational needs, offer scholarship programs to the deserving candidates, highlight social issues that need to be addressed. The major five point objectives of the group include educational and economic development, awareness in the international community and their involvement, physical and mental health, and educated politics.
Though there are several distinguished and common members of the Delta Sigma sorority, there are certain celebrities who have been able to catch the attention of other members. Some of the popular members of the sorority are Osceola Adams, Hazel Brown, Shirley Chisholm, Frankie Freeman, Patricia Harris, Elaine Jones, Barbara Jordan. Almost all of these deltas are actively involved in their personal professions. However, that does not deter them from being an active member of Delta Sigma. Though almost a century has gone post it’s founding, Delta Sigma is still not done and has larger goals and objectives on hand. And with continued support from its patrons, it expects to achieve its goals very soon.
