Local Delta Sigma Theta Chapter Commemorates 100 Years of Service
By: Hayley Mason
Updated: February 23, 2013
MARTINSBURG, WV- The Eastern Panhandle Alumnae Chapter held it's
Founders Day luncheon bringing together sorority sisters from all across
the four-state area.
The ladies are commemorating 100 years of sisterhood, scholarship and service across the world.
In
1913, 22 college women founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Howard
University. Since then it has grown to be a global organization of more
than 200,000 college-educated women.
"We were founded 22
undergraduate students who were ready to speak out for social justice
during their time and we've continued that legacy of speaking out for
social justice during our time as well," says Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, the
22nd Past National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. "They
were women who were academically on the top of their game and we
continue to promote academic excellence even 100 years later," Boyd
adds.
The centennial celebrations began in January with the
sorority having a float in the Rose Parade. They were the first African
American organization to have a float in the parade. Saturday, Boyd
served as the keynote speaker for their luncheon.
"The
Eastern Panhandle Alumnae Chapter has been serving the Eastern Panhandle
for about six years," says Dr. Angela Oglesby, President of the Eastern
Panhandle Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. "We have many
community service projects. We have mentoring groups. We have our Delta
Gems and Delta Academy members who are here with us today. We also have a
jazz brunch where we honor our community members in public service,"
she says.
Boyd refers to 2013 as "the year of Delta Sigma
Theta." Next Sunday, thousands of Deltas will be marching in Washington,
D.C. to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Women's Suffrage
March.
