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Tri-State Founders Day Celebration—Arizona, Nevada, and Utah
Tri-State Founders Day Celebration – Arizona, Nevada, and Utah Reconnect, Reclaim and Renew the Love of our Sisterhood – 22 in 2022
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Sorors from 6 Arizona Chapters (Arizona West Valley, Phoenix Metropolitan, Tempe and Tucson, Iota Kappa and Mu Eta) 2 Utah Chapters (Greater Salt Lake and Sigma Omicron) and 3 Nevada Chapters (Las Vegas, Eta Chi and Tau Mu) gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada at The Orleans Hotel & Casino on February 4th through the 6th to celebrate the 109 amazing years that members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc have followed in our Founders footsteps to serve communities around the world. The weekend of events started with a welcoming event on Friday night to receive greetings from City Leaders and fellow Members from the National Pan Hellenic Council Chapters in Las Vegas. Folks enjoyed the company of guests, as the celebrated theme was centered around connecting with one another from a long absence of physical fellowship. Saturday’s rededication ceremony allowed Sorors to remember the importance of our purpose and why it’s critical for us to return to our Chapters and continue the necessary work. The
empowering message from our 2021 Honorary Member, Collette V Smith provided the juice for us to recharge our talented batteries so that we can keep pushing the needle forward for inclusion and equality. Soror Smith, “Coach” delivered the keynote address during the luncheon and rallied every Soror in attendance out of their seats to standing on their feet with exhilaration and a renewed appetite of belief. Not only were Sorors entertained, but also energized by our Farwest leadership team that included our very own Farwest Regional Director, Past Regional Directors, Members in National and Regional positions, State Coordinators, State Facilitators, Chapter Presidents, Chapter Members and Sorors visiting from neighboring states. The NFL Pro Bowl weekend was filled with Delta Sisters dazzled in radiance, lifted in love, and encouraged by joy. Excellent job to all of the efforts among many that skillfully executed a wonderful event; this Tri-State Founders Day celebration will be remembered and hopefully serve as a pilar to promote future collaborations.
The Pi Xi Chapter of CSU Chico was reactivated in Spring 2021. The two new Sorors were quick to get to work, operating under the 5 Point Programmatic Thrust the collegiates set out to do the work of Delta. Their first program allowed them to organize a “Trunk or Treat” Halloween Celebration for the students at a local elementary school, Emma Wilson Elementary School. For this program they collaborated with other collegiate organizations to provide a safe and healthy environment for elementary students to celebrate Halloween. The ladies organized games, physical activities, and competitions; they were also able to read Halloween stories to the students making this a fun, safe, and eventful evening for the youth in the local community.
As October came to an end the young Sorors were Blessed with the opportunity to conduct Fall 2021 MIT. The chapter soon welcomed four new members who were just as eager to serve the community of Chico. The now six collegiates, striving to continue the work of Delta again partnered with Emma Wilson Elementary School supporting the annul “Santa Reads Project”. The collegiates spent time reading to students, assisting with homework, and mentoring them throughout the month of December ending the month-long program with a final day of celebration where the collegiate Sorors passed out cookies and milk while singing Christmas carols with students.
Taking some time off for the holidays allowed the collegiates to rest and renew because when they returned to campus, they again got right to work with continuing the chapters legacy program the “Tanner Project”, a mentorship program designed to assist high school students transitioning into college. As CSU Chico welcomed three minority high schools from Southern California for an on-campus tour and orientation our Soros assisted with student discussion panels, team building activities, and mentorship. All with efforts to secure a successful transition from high school to college.
While these events gave our young Sorors a great start; they really jumped in and got to work for the Farwest Delta Day of Service! The Pi Xi Collegiate Sorors collaborated with the Sorors of the Elk Grove Alumnae Chapter to build and distribute Blessing Bags to local women’s shelters to support the victims of Human Trafficking. The ladies organized a contactless drop off site where members of the community dropped off toiletries and hygiene products to be placed in the Blessing Bags. The ladies collected enough items to complete a total of 130 bags!! The ladies supported both the community of Elk Grove and CSU Chico! It’s been a wonderful year for the young Sorors of Pi Xi Chapter, CSU Chico. May they always be Blessed, thrive and continue the work of Delta.
The Bertha Pitts Campbell Place
By Victoria E. Romero
Never underestimate the power of word of mouth and that a Delta will be the messenger. On January 20, 2022, Soror Sharon Williams, Director of the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas was in the right place to receive that message. She’d been contacted by a representative from Plymouth Housing wondering if Soror Williams knew how to contact relatives of Bertha Pitts Campbell. Soror Williams told her no, but she knew people who would be able.
Thanks to historian and author, Esther Hall Mumford’s recommendation, Plymouth Housing wanted to name a housing unit Bertha Pitts Campbell Place after our beloved founder. They needed the permission of family members. Plymouth Housing’s mission is to eliminate homelessness while preserving the legacy of Seattle activists.
And just like that, Soror Williams put them in touch with two members of Seattle Alumnae Chapter, Sorors Victoria Romero and Sonja Hampton. They were able to connect Plymouth Housing with Founder Campbell’s great niece Viessa Ferrell and great-great nephew, Dr. Jeffrey Holmes. They gladly and with pride gave their approval.
At the time of this writing, Plymouth Housing informed Seattle Alumnae Chapter President Pridgeon the dedication will be May 17, 2022. National President Elsie Cooke-Holmes will be the spokesperson for the sorority and Seattle Alumnae President Pridgeon will speak on behalf of chapter members. Dr. Jeffrey Holmes will speak for Founder Campbell’s family.
Victoria E. Romero Seattle Alumnae Chapter veromero2@aol.com
Investing In Representation - The Importance of Buying Black Art
By Jeanetta Minix, Contra Costa Alumnae Chapter
Arts and Letters is not just a committee in our chapters. It is an integral part of our lives and important to our health and well being. The Contra Costa Alumnae Chapter is honored to have The Art of the African Diaspora (AOTAD), one of the largest and longest running art exhibitions of emerging and mid-career Black artists hosted in our service area at the Richmond Art Center in Richmond, California. This year we invited Tomye Madison Neal, AOTAD Steering Committee Member and Fan Lee Warren, professor and extremely talented painter to discuss the importance of buying Black art. The event started with a warm welcome from Chapter President Soror Jeanetta Minix and the discussion was moderated by Visual Artist and CCAC Arts & Letters Chair Soror Tracy Brown. The event was attended by more than 60 people from all over the country and 99% of the respondents to the post event survey reported that they learned something new.
Teaching Tech Tuesdays
During Sisterhood Month, the Berkeley Bay Area and Contra Costa Alumnae Chapters hosted Teaching Tech Tuesdays in partnership with Grow with Google. The two chapters hosted four workshops teaching members of the community on how to use Google Docs for Crafting Resumes, Google Slides for Presentations, Google Forms for Surveys and Budgeting Basics with Google Sheets. The weekly workshops were taught via Zoom and were well attended, both by sorors and community members alike. Both chapters look for to collaborating and hosting more workshops in partnership with Grow with Google in the future.
Arizona West Valley Alumnae Chapter Facilitates the First Annual VetLink Foundation Step-Up in Surprise
By Soror Anya Burgess
The Arizona West Valley Alumnae Chapter (AWVAC) in partnership with over twenty community organizations hosted the First Annual VetLink Foundation StepUp in Surprise, AZ event on October 9, 2021, at the AZTechCelerator in Surprise. The event’s mission was to provide veterans and members of the military community the support and services they need for better employment, housing, health, and overall lifestyle. AWVAC’s 1st Vice President, Air Force retired Master Sergeant Octavia Madden, and Social Action Chairperson, Army Veteran Intelligence Officer, Paula Kimmons hosted a booth to educate the community on Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as the newest community partner in the city. Soror Madden partnered with
VetLink Foundation Director Dr. Jacqueline Ryan-Rojas to facilitate the event while Soror Kimmons focused on educating the attendees on how to confirm and update their voting status online. The additional 10 sorors in attendance helped throughout the day with the various services the event provided: • Hot Breakfast and Lunch • Grocery donations from St. Mary’s Food Bank • Health Screenings/Examinations • Mobile On-Site Mammography • Prostate screening • Housing/Shelter Referral • Mental Health Services • DOL Employment & Job Training Assistance • Veterans Benefits Counseling • Social & Community Services • Legal Advice & Services • Personal Care/Hygiene Items & Kits • Clothing • COVID-19 testing • Military Attractions
Dr. Ryan-Rojas was pleased that the event was meaningful and memorable. She shared her appreciation of the work of DST AWVAC for our West Valley Veterans. The chapter is proud to have represented DST by participating in an event that focused on Veterans for the first time in DST Arizona’s history.
Greetings Sorors of the Fabulous Farwest Region. We are the Super Fierce Phenomenal Sorors of the San Francisco~Peninsula Alumnae Chapter located in the beautiful Bay Area. We were excited to participate in the 2nd Annual Farwest Regional Day of Service 2022. With Soror President Kim Davis and 25 Chapter Sorors in attendance, we were poised and ready to roll up our sleeves and do the work of DELTA! This year, we partnered with the Onyxx
2nd Annual Farwest Regional Day of Service 2022
By Rhonda Collins
Village Connection of East Palo Alto, a non-profit agency whom our chapter honored for their amazing work in 2021 during May Week. Bell Street Park provided the backdrop for a wonderful and empowering “DAY OF LOVE” celebration. This event focused on the Unhoused Community in the southern most city of San Mateo County. Unhoused individuals and families were offered new clothing, shoes, backpacks filled with essential items, free haircuts and a mobile truck which provided showers and laundry facilities. Participants were also treated to live music, dance performances, poetry, food trucks, a photography booth, books, games and art tables and all were FREE to the community. Resources provided by Job Train, Staying Connected, County Mental Health, Renaissance and Lions Club were also available. It was an incredible opportunity for our chapter to be a part of this special event and it was a powerful, heartwarming day of Community Service and FUN for all.
During their holiday fellowship, the sorors of Phoenix Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter sorors donated cleaning products to be distributed to the Matthew Henson Senior Residence. These donations provide twenty-two bags to the senior residence on December 17, 2021. During the distribution, it was apparent that the donated products were insufficient to meet the needs
In February 2022 the Pi Psi Chapter wanted to add a modern day innovation to the typical sex talk/ panel that is normally presented to collegiate women. They felt the discussions normally presented on campus, did not adequately address the current climate because of the gap in education surrounding the coronavirus and sexual health.
Senior Residence Donation in Pheonix
of the residents who had come out to receive the cleaning products. After the distribution of the available bags, PMAC Social Action Committee made the commitment to provide the additional cleaning products to the remaining 120 residents, along with ensuring that the eligible voters at the residence were registered.. A request was made by the Social Action Committee for PMAC to provide funding the purchase of additional cleaning products.
On March 18, 2022, PMAC returned to Matthew Henson Senior Residence and provided to the residences a bag of cleaning products, and those who checked verification of their voting status and/or completed voter registration received a second bag of kitchen products (donated by PMAC Soror Rhoshawndra Carnes). The event resulted in the distribution of seventy cleaning products bags, 20 new registered voters and the verification of voter status and address/status updates of many more. The elderly are a demographic that is sometimes forgotten when it comes to civic engagement and PMAC wanted to ensure that all eligible voters are able and prepared to cast their vote in the upcoming elections.
Participating sorors were Kesha Hodge Washington, Adora Lewis, Veronica Knott, Deirdre Hale, Valerye Boyer-Wells, Robin Reid, and Janet Williams.
Physical and Mental Health Event - Girls Need Love Too
Girls Needs Love Too, a Physical and Mental Health event, aimed to fill that gap. By promoting healthy dialogues about relationships, love and sex; as well as providing young adults with access to a medical professional who could answer questions and provide accurate and thoughtful advice. Cruz Student Health Outreach and Promotions (SHOP) and Dr. Tracy Burns, Attending Physician at Howard University Hospital. Students left the event with a better understanding and the confidence to be their own advocates when it comes to sexual health.
The program encouraged abstinence and/or self-love when it comes to sexual interactions during the pandemic. Knowing that everyone would not follow those guidelines, Pi Psi Chapter wanted the event to serve as a safe space for collegiate women to get answers and share their experiences. Students were encouraged to submit questions anonymously, to our guest speakers: Seeyade Gizachew, Peer Sexual Health Educator at the UC Santa
International Awareness & Involvement
True or false, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency (AIDS) are no longer critical health problems in the world. The answer is resoundingly false!
The International Awareness (IAI) Committee of the San Jose Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sponsored several events throughout the month of December in recognition of World AIDS Day (WAD) 2021.
Our goal was to develop WAD activities that would help our Sorors and communities gain a better understanding of issues and barriers affecting our communities locally and globally. We believe we accomplished that this year!
On December 1, the IAI Committee partnered with the Social Action Committee to participate in the annual flag raising ceremony sponsored by the AIDS Awareness Program Committee of Santa Clara County. Sorors wore red ribbons in support of the HIV/AIDS community.
The IAI Committee was fortunate enough to meet Jesse Brooks, a dynamic AIDS activist from Oakland, California.
He is also an advocacy coordinator for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. With his help, the IAI Committee facilitated an informative panel discussion titled “Surviving and Thriving With HIV/AIDS in the Black Community.” Other members of the panel were Hydeia Broadbent, a young woman who developed the virus in utero and Nell Davis who was infected by her new husband, a deacon in her church. He did not disclose his condition to her until it was too late. An important fact is that HIV can be managed through careful medical treatment. However, if the body’s immune system is severely compromised, HIV can transform into full blown AIDS for which there is no cure. In addition, the virus can remain dormant for years before developing into a fatal condition. In addition to the panel discussion, the chapter’s informational WAD video from 2020 was revived.
The IAI Committee hosted a Virtual Dolls of Hope Project which consisted of making dolls to be donated to children who were orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Dr. Cynthia Davis, a professor at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science was the instructor.
The chapter’s Arts and Letters Committee sponsored a viewing of the PBS documentary “Wilhelmina’s War” the story of a rural southern Black mother caring for her daughter and granddaughter who are both HIV positive.
The IAI Committee was also able to make a substantial donation from chapter member donations to the Delta/Vashti Village, a residential program in Swaziland for African youngsters orphaned by parents who died of AIDS related illnesses. IAI will continue to work to increase HIV/AIDS awareness within our communities in hopes of bring about change and saving lives.
Submitted By - Deborah Hicks, IAI Chair - San Jose Alumnae Chapter
