Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is 112 years strong!
Founded on the campus of Howard University, the historically Black sorority boasts a membership that includes a who’s who of notable actresses, athletes, politicians and all-around history makers.
Delta Sigma Theta is a global organization with over 350,000 members and 1,000 (collegiate and alumnae) chapters in the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, the Caribbean, Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea. The sorority prioritizes the tenets of sisterhood, scholarship and service (as reported by Ebony.com)
Dedicated to public service, DST was founded on January 13, 1913. Interestingly, the 22 founders were originally members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter at Howard. However, feeling disenchanted with AKA’s direction, the members decided to form a new sorority that they felt was more reflective of their goals of social activism and other civic-minded duties (Delta means “change”).
With plenty to choose from in a membership that spans the globe, below are some of the most notable members of DST. Let us know @blackamericaweb if any of these ladies surprised you.
K. Michelle pledged FAMU’s Beta Alpha chapter in Fall of 2021.
2. Shirley Chisholm
A member of the Brooklyn Alumnae chapter, Chisholm was the first African-American woman elected to Congress and ran for president of the United States in 1972. Biz Markie voted for her.
3. Keyshia Knight Pulliam
Yep, “Rudy” from The Cosby Show is a Delta. She was made at Spelman’s Eta Kappa chapter in Spring ’99.
4. Betty Shabazz
The late, great Betty Shabazz, widow of slain Civil Rights activist Malcolm X, is a member of the New York Alumnae chapter.
5. Kym Whitley
The actress and comedian crossed the burning sands at the Alpha Beta chapter (Fisk University).
6. Kimberly Clarice Aiken
Aiken, from NYC’s Epsilon Tau chapter, is 1994’s Miss America, then only the fifth African-American woman to do so.
7. Natalie Cole
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Nat “King” Cole’s daughter joined the ranks of DST at USC’s Upsilon chapter.
8. Robert Flack
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An incredible singer and vocalist, Flack is a member of the founding Alpha chapter at Howard University.
9. Adrienne-Joi "AJ" Johnson
Better known as A.J. Johnson, this actress, choreographer and stunning example of “Black don’t crack” is a member of Eta Kappa (Spelman).
10. Wilma Rudolph
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Most track stars ain’t got nothing on Wilma Rudolph, historically. A member of the Alpha Chi chapter at Tennessee State University, Rudolph was the first African-American woman to win three Gold medals during the Olympics in 1960.
11. Mayor Keshia Lance Bottoms
The 60th Mayor of Atlanta is a Black woman and representing DST to the fullest.
Easily remembered as part of the original cast of In Living Color, the talented Keymáh became a Delta at FAMU’s Beta Alpha chapter.
13. Angela Bassett
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Bassett became an honorary member if DST in 2013
14. T'keyah Crystal Keymah
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Easily remembered as part of the original cast of In Living Color and That’s So Raven, the talented Keymáh became a Delta at FAMU’s Beta Alpha chapter.
