Honoring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on its 100th Anniversary.

WHEREAS, on January 13, 1913, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Winona Cargile Alexander, Madree Penn White, Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Vashti Turley Murphy, Ethel Cuff Black, Frederica Chase Dodd, Osceola Macarthy Adams, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Edna Brown Coleman, Edith Mott Young, Marguerite Young Alexander, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Eliza P. Shippen, Zephyr Chisom Carter, Myra Davis Hemmings, Mamie Reddy Rose, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Florence Letcher Toms, Olive Jones, Jessie McGuire Dent, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, and Ethel Carr Watson founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; and

WHEREAS, In just weeks after its inception, the founders of this illustrious organization participated in their first collective act of public service, marching in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington D.C. and, through this early act, Delta Sigma Theta established its legacy as a sisterhood called to serve; and

WHEREAS, The twenty-two founders envisioned an organization that would use their collective strength to promote academic excellence, provide scholarships, provide assistance to persons in need, educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy, and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta has been incorporated since 1930 and now boasts more than 200,000 members with over 900 chapters located in the United States, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and the Republic of Korea; and

WHEREAS, The major programs of the sorority are based upon the organization's Five Point Thrust of: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement; and

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta is highly recognized for its commitment to sisterhood, community service, and the creation and implementation of programs that support the mission of Delta; and

WHEREAS, Some of the exceptional women who helped mold a legacy to make Delta Sigma Theta a powerful force include attorney Sadie T. M. Alexander, Ph.D., civil rights activists Dr. Dorothy I. Height and Myrlie Evers-Williams, former HUD and Health and Human Services Secretary Patricia Roberts Harris and former Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, and Congresswomen Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, and Carrie Meek; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we recognize and honor Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to members of Delta Sigma Theta, as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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