Delta Sigma Theta Sorority history

One of the first orders of business was to have an oath, which was written by Mary Church Terrell in 1914.

The official Delta Sigma Theta Hymn, written by Florence Cole Talbert and Alice Dunbar Nelson, was adopted in 1924.

Regions were established in 1925, and the Jabberwock was established as the scholarship fundraiser.

On January 20, 1930, the organization's Grand Chapter was nationally incorporated.

The National Library Project was established in 1937 to provide access to books for Blacks in rural areas in the South where either no libraries were located, or they were not accessible to Blacks.

In 1945, Delta Sigma Theta donated its first $1,000 to the United Negro College Fund.

Given the great expansion of programming, and the increasing number of chapters and members, Delta Sigma Theta leadership realized there needed to be one central location in which all properties and records could be housed, and in 1953, Delta had the dedication of its first National Headquarters.

In continuing with assisting persons in need abroad, Delta established the Maternity ward at Thika Memorial Hospital in 1955.

In 1963, while celebrating their 50th Anniversary, Delta participated in the March on Washington, and established the Social Action Commission at the 27th National Convention. Thus, the Five Point Thrust was implemented in 1956 by 10th National President Dorothy Height.

In 1963, while celebrating their 50th Anniversary, Delta participated in the March on Washington, and established the Social Action Commission at the 27th National Convention.

In 1971, Delta and the Congressional Black Caucus co-sponsored National Policy Conferences on Education for Blacks, which focused on disparities and deficiencies in schools with high Black populations.

The right to read program was established in 1973 to help the functionally illiterate.

In 1975, Delta established life development centers to focus on issues placed by individuals from early childhood to senior citizens.

The sculpture was unveiled on April 28, 1979, at 3:15 p.m. by members of Delta Sigma Theta, to honor the founders of the service sorority.

Summit II, a call to action in support of single parenting, was held in 1984.

The Delta Research and Education Foundation sponsored an international conference in Nassau, Bahamas entitled, "Woman to Woman: Single parenting from a global perspective" in 1987.

In 1989, the School America program was established.

The First Delta Days in the Nations Capital was held in 1990 in Washington, D.C. At the event Delta members met with congressional members to discuss policy that affected minorities and women.

In 1992, Delta Sigma Theta became the first African American organization to collaborate with Habitat for Humanity, and has built hundreds of houses for those in need.

Delta held its Summit III, preparing young men for manhood, in 1993, in response to alarming drop out and incarceration rates among young men.

And in 1996, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, Delta traveled to Ghana and built 40 homes.