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2013 SESSION
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a private, nonprofit organization and one of the country’s largest sororities, was founded 100 years ago on January 13, 1913, by 22 young undergraduate African American women at Howard University; and
WHEREAS, the founders of the sorority wanted to use their “collective strength 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 to problems in their communities”; and
WHEREAS, today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has more than 250,000 members and more than 900 chapters around the nation, and some notable Deltas have included civil rights activists Mary McLeod Bethune and Dorothy Irene Height; educator Dr. Johnetta Cole; journalists Soledad O’Brien and Gwen Ifill; athletes like Francena McCorory, the Olympic gold medalist from Hampton; singers Aretha Franklin and Lena Horne; and politicians Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan; and
WHEREAS, Delta women have marched for women’s suffrage, engaged in the shaping of national public policy in the nation’s capital, and hosted countless mentorship and service programs to create change in the community; the historically African American sorority is a movement driven by gifted and resourceful minority women through the sorority’s Five Point Programmatic Thrust: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement; and
WHEREAS, Delta women have been recognized nationally and internationally as leaders in education and scholarship, management, the social sciences, health and medicine, science, law, engineering, architecture, the performing arts, social activism, information science, public administration, media, literature, and religion; and
WHEREAS, on Sunday, January 13, 2013, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., celebrated its 100th anniversary on New Year’s Day when the sorority presented a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade themed “Transforming Communities through Sisterhood and Service”; and
WHEREAS, a 22-city tour of the Delta Torch, which symbolizes the “passion and commitment of the sorority’s global reach,” began in Los Angeles with scheduled stops in New York for appearances on every national morning news show and concluded with a caravan of buses in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, commemorative projects were held throughout the District of Columbia in honor of the sorority’s 22 founders; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the sisterhood, scholarship, and service of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., for 100 years be recognized and commended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., on its centennial anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, National President, requesting that she further disseminate copies of the resolution to her constituents in order that they may be apprised of the General Assembly’s appreciation of their service and best wishes for continued success.