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
HERstory
In 2018, Sorors Lyssa Black, Octavia Madden, and Valyrie Murray had the vision to see Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. grow in Arizona, and led the charge to expand the sorority into the West Valley. They were affectionately nicknamed 'EARTH (Soror Black), WIND (Soror Madden), and FIRE (Soror Murray)' for their synergy and ability to balance each other through the journey.
Soror Black serves as the Chapter's Inaugural President with the inducted Inaugural E-Committee: Octavia Madden (Vice President), LaChrisha Dourisseau (Treasurer), Shirleeah Fayson (Financial Secretary), Sharzae Cameron (Corresponding Secretary), and Angela Brown (Recording Secretary). Soror Valyrie Murray served as the Inaugural Parlimentarian and Chairperson of Policies and Procedures. She wrote the chapter's 1st Policies and Procedures document and the Memorandum of Understanding to be shared with the Phoenix Metropolitan and Tempe Alumnae Chapters.
Legacy members Kelci and Morgen Wallace chartered with their mother, Dene Wallace. Legacy member Melia Cobb chartered with her mother, Lisa Cobb. Melia Cobb previously served as Chapter President of the Mu Eta chapter and Arizona State Facilitator.
With the support and help of over 50 sorors, they worked with National Headquarters to study the area, understand the history of the intended service area, and obtain leadership roles at the chapter, regional and national level to learn how to manage a chapter successfully.
On April 17, 2021, 38 sorors chartered the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Arizona West Valley Alumnae Chapter under the leadership of National President Beverly E. Smith, National 1st Vice President Cheryl Hickmon, and Farwest Regional Director Tracy Ricard Aikens. DST AWVAC affectionately refers to themselves as 'The Great 38'.
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 chapter would like to acknowledge and thank the following sorors who began this journey, and could not continue due to unforeseen circumstances: Tamara Briggs, Navonie Burton, Talia Dourisseau, and Vanessa Sanders.
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
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)
Creating Delta History in the Valley of the Sun!!!
Copyright © 2021 DST Arizona West Valley Alumnae Chapter - All Rights Reserved.