2023 House Resolution 12

Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. The organization is a sisterhood of predominantly black, college-educated women; and

Whereas, On January 13, 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded at Howard University in the District of Columbia by: Osceola Macarthy Adams, Marguerite Young Alexander, Winona Cargile Alexander, Ethel Cuff Black, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Zephyr Chisom Carter, Edna Brown Coleman, Jessie McGuire Dent, Frederica Chase Dodd, Myra Davis Hemmings, Olive Jones, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Vashti Turley Murphy, Naomi Sewell Toms, Ethel Carr Watson, Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Madree Penn White, and Edith Motte Young; and

Whereas, In March 1913, the founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., participated in the Women’s Suffrage March in the District of Columbia, the sorority’s first public act; and

Whereas, Since its founding, more than 350,000 women have joined the organization. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has twenty seven chapters in Michigan: Pontiac Alumnae, Zeta Rho, Theta Theta, Tau Psi, Tau, Southfield Alumnae, Saginaw Alumnae, Rho Mu, Omicron Zeta, NU, Muskegon Heights Alumnae, Mu Phi, Midland Alumnae, Lansing Alumnae, Lambda Pi, Kalamazoo Alumnae, Inkster Alumnae, Grand Rapids Alumnae, Flint Alumnae, Epsilon Epsilon, Detroit Alumnae, Delta Upsilon, Delta Psi, Delta Beta, Benton Harbor-St. Joe Alumnae, Battle Creek Alumnae, and Ann Arbor Alumnae. There are more than 1,000 chapters located in the United States, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and South Korea; and

Whereas, On January 13, 2021, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., celebrated 108 years of thoughtful service to and conscientious leadership in communities throughout the United States and the world in diverse fields relating to public service and the organization’s five-point programmatic thrust: economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare January 17, 2023, as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Day in the state of Michigan. We recognize the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., for their outstanding service to the citizens of our state, our nation, and the international community, and for their promotion of sisterhood, scholarship, and service.