Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
About Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is an organization of college-educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities worldwide. Since its founding, more than 300,000 women have joined the organization. The organization is a sisterhood of predominantly Black, college-educated women. The sorority currently has over 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Canada, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, and West Africa.
The major programs of the sorority are based upon the organization's Five-Point Programmatic Thrust. More than ten thousand members attend Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated's biennial national conventions. Each of the seven regional conferences (held during years when there is no national convention) typically hosts thousands of members. At its recent 51st National Convention held in the District of Columbia, more than 38,000 members registered and attended.
Arizona History
On May 22, 1937, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. chartered the Beta Theta Chapter, a mixed (Collegiate and Alumnae) chapter. Tucson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was chartered on June 24, 1967. The Beta Theta chapter was eventually dissolved with the formation of The Phoenix Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter as the 426th chapter of the sorority on May 11, 1972. On May 12, 1972, the Phoenix Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter established the Iota Kappa Chapter, which continues to exist at Arizona State University. On June 9, 1973, The Tempe Alumnae was chartered, and in 1975 Mu Eta was formed on the campus of The University of Arizona and continues to exist to this day.
The Story of AWVAC
The Arizona West Valley Alumnae Chapter was chartered on April 17, 2021, and serves as the 1060th chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Our Chartering History
The meet: On January 13, 2019, over seventy sorors from around the Arizona valley gathered at the Camp Social restaurant to celebrate the 106th Founders Day of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Incorporated. The celebration sparked a tough conversation among a few attendees about chartering a West Valley chapter. In the parking lot of Camp Social, Sorors Tamara Briggs, Anya Burgess, Sharzae Cameron, and Octavia Madden agreed that sorors needed to serve the communities in which they lived. On March 15, 2019, at the Yardhouse restaurant at Westgate, sorors across the West Valley came together to celebrate sisterhood month. The nineteen sorors in attendance expressed their enthusiasm and interest in chartering a West Valley chapter. For years, Phoenix and Tempe Sorors attempted to conduct service projects in the West Valley, which were not supported. Soror Angela Allen was instrumental in recognizing the desire of the two chapters. She brought Sorors Lyssa Black (Phoenix Metropolitan Alumnae) and Octavia Madden (Tempe Alumnae) together on June 2, 2019, to discuss how to make our presence permanent in the West Valley.
The work began at the home of Soror Madden in July 2019, where Sorors Black and Murray facilitated the first interest meeting. The goal was to prove a need in the west valley, identify the proposed service areas, and gather 36 Sorors needed to complete the chartering process. The determined trio "Earth,Wind & Fire" met and overcame many challenges to make the west valley chapter dream a reality. Past National President Cheryl Hickmon was influential in securing the Arizona West Valley name, and the chapter chartered on April 17, 2021.
The journey of 38 chartering members moved quickly, building membership with other Sorors who shared the same vision of servicing the West Valley. The growing chapter broke fundraising records, hosted sold-out events, and provided scholarships to deserving students in the service area. With a successful year one completed, 60 Arizona West Valley Alumnae Chapter members move forward, focused on sisterhood and community service.
Dr. Allison E. Crawford intended to charter but transitioned into the Omega Omega Chapter in February 2021. Her love for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will never be forgotten, and her spirit will live on through the work of the chapter.
The DST Arizona West Valley serves the following areas that are located North and West of Phoenix, AZ: Anthem, Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, New River, Surprise, Sun City West. Tolleson, Peoria, Waddell, Sun City, Youngtown.
CHAPTER CHARTERING MEMBERS
- Andrea Alfred
- Angela Allen
- Benita Beckles
- Cathy Bibbs-Mayes
- Lyssa Black*
- Angela Brown
- Anya Burgess
- Sharzae Cameron
- Lisa Cobb
- Melia Cobb
- Joyce Council
- Carlian Dawson
- LaChrisha Dourisseau
- Yuvelle Eaton-McFarland
- Debra Ellis
- Monica Ennis
- Shirleeah Fayson
- Saundra Hayes
- LaShunda Jones
- Paula Kimmons
- Keturah Lee
- Tifanie Lewis
- Lillle Loggins
- Octavia Madden
- Jamie Matthews
- Kimberly Murphy
- Taneasha McNair
- Robin Milonas
- Valyrie Murray
- Eshawn Peterson
- Lloydchell Ransom
- Dene Wallace
- Kelci Wallace
- Morgen Wallace
- Maxine E. P. White
- Tajuana Whitehead
- Donna Williams
- Stephvanie Wynn
* Deceased
Chartering Group Steering Committee
Lyssa D. Black
Octavia D. Madden
Octavia D. Madden
'Earth'
Octavia D. Madden
Octavia D. Madden
Octavia D. Madden
'Wind'
Valyrie L. Murray
Octavia D. Madden
Valyrie L. Murray
'Fire'
Legacy Chartering Members
Legacy Chartering Members- The Wallaces
(l-r: Kelci Wallace, Dene Wallace, Morgen Wallace)
Legacy Chartering Members- The Cobbs
(l-r: Lisa Cobb, Melia Cobb)