Source: Creative Services / iONEDigital
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
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Official Chapter: Honorary
2. Roberta Flack
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Official Chapter: Alpha
3. Pat Smith
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Official Chapter: Iota Alpha
4. Natalie Cole
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Official Chapter: Upsilon
5. K. Michelle
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Official Chapter: Beta Alpha
6. Keshia Knight Pulliam
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Official Chapter: Eta Kappa
7. Kim Coles
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Official Chapter: Alpha Lambda
8. Aretha Franklin
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Official Chapter: Honorary
9. Maurette Brown Clark
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Official Chapter: Kappa Phi
10. Ruby Dee
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Official Chapter: Honorary
11. Shirley Caesar
Source:Terrell Artis
Official Chapter: Honorary
12. Shirley Chisholm
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Official Chapter: Brooklyn Alumnae
13. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms
Source:Radio One
Official Chapter: Zeta Alpha
14. Candice Wiggins
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Official Chapter: Omicron Chi
15. Wilma Rudolph
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Official Chapter: Alpha Chi
16. Val Demings
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Official Chapter: Orlando Alumnae
17. Mary McLeod Bethune
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Official Chapter: Honorary
18. Fannie Lou Hamer
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Official Chapter: Honorary
19. Jacque Reid
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Official Chapter: New York Alumnae
20. Soledad O’Brien
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Official Chapter: Honorary
21. Gwen Ifill
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Official Chapter: Honorary
22. Melissa Harris-Perry
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Official Chapter: Pi Omicron
23. Nikki Giovanni
Source:WENN
Official Chapter: Honorary
24. Daphne Maxwell Reid
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Official Chapter: Honorary
25. T’Keyah Crystal Keymah
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Official Chapter: Beta Alpha
26. AJ Johnson
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Official Chapter: Eta Kappa
27. Renée Elise Goldsberry
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Official Chapter: Theta Beta
28. Aunjanue Ellis
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Official Chapter: Gamma Psi
29. Suzzanne Douglas
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Official Chapter: Honorary
30. Wendy Davis
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Official Chapter: Alpha
31. Betty Shabazz
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Official Chapter: Honorary