Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded by 22 women on the campus of Howard University in Washington DC on January 13, 1913. Its founders were 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 C. Jones, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Vashti Turley Murphy, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Mamie Reddy Rose, Eliza Pearl Shippen, Florence Letcher Toms, Ethel Carr Watson, Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Madree Penn White, and Edith Motte Young.
It is one of the largest predominately black sororities, with more than 300,000 initiated members.
Motto: “Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom”
Colors: Crimson and Cream
Symbol: Pyramid/Lady Fortitude
In honor of Delta Sigma Theta’s Founder’s Day, we are taking a look at celebrity members of the historic organization.
1. Lena Horne
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Honorary
2. Roberta Flack
Source:WENNOfficial Chapter: Alpha
3. Pat Smith
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Iota Alpha
4. Natalie Cole
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Upsilon
5. K. Michelle
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Beta Alpha
6. Keshia Knight Pulliam
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Eta Kappa
7. Kim Coles
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Alpha Lambda
8. Aretha Franklin
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Honorary
9. Maurette Brown Clark
Source:Radio One DigitalOfficial Chapter: Kappa Phi
10. Ruby Dee
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Honorary
11. Shirley Caesar
Source:Terrell ArtisOfficial Chapter: Honorary
12. Shirley Chisholm
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Brooklyn Alumnae
13. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms
Source:Radio OneOfficial Chapter: Zeta Alpha
14. Candice Wiggins
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Omicron Chi
15. Wilma Rudolph
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Alpha Chi
16. Val Demings
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Orlando Alumnae
17. Mary McLeod Bethune
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Honorary
18. Fannie Lou Hamer
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Honorary
19. Jacque Reid
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: New York Alumnae
20. Soledad O’Brien
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Honorary
21. Gwen Ifill
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Honorary
22. Melissa Harris-Perry
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Pi Omicron
23. Nikki Giovanni
Source:WENNOfficial Chapter: Honorary
24. Daphne Maxwell Reid
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Honorary
25. T’Keyah Crystal Keymah
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Beta Alpha
26. AJ Johnson
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Eta Kappa
27. Renée Elise Goldsberry
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Theta Beta
28. Aunjanue Ellis
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Gamma Psi
29. Suzzanne Douglas
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Honorary
30. Wendy Davis
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Alpha
31. Betty Shabazz
Source:GettyOfficial Chapter: Honorary