Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. CONTINUES to make History
 

On March 27, 2003, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, achieved
yet another great moment in its illustrious 90-year history.

The United Nations (UN) Department of Social and Economic Council
bestowed Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status upon Delta because
of the Sorority's commitment to political, social, and economic reform
around the world. The ceremony took place at the UN headquarters in New
York. Among the NGOs currently in existence, only 2 are African-American
organizations: National Council of Negro Women, and of course, Delta
Sigma Theta. (It was not known by the ceremony attendees whether the
Links have acquired this status.)

This was an historic moment. As the UN Security Council met in a nearby
conference room discussing the situation in Iraq, Dr. Hanifa Mezoui,
Chief NGO Section Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN,
presented the NGO proclamation to President Gwendolyn Boyd during a
luncheon in the UN delegates' dining room.

According to a 2000 UN publication, "Basic Facts about the UN," about
1600 organizations have our consultative status with the UN, partnering
with the UN to provide our demonstrated special expertise, technical
knowledge, and experience to the UN in areas of health, economics, etc.

After the presentation of the proclamation, appointees of UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan, including Gillian Sorensen, Assistant Secretary
General for External Affairs (Ted Sorenson's wife), and others briefed
Deltas on issues of global advancement of women, elimination of violence
against women, state of the world's children, and women and aging.

Achieving NGO status is the result of a multi-year application process,
as President Gwendolyn Boyd envisioned one day achieving this honor.
Just imagine, the UN will now consult with Delta Sigma Theta on policy
and program matters of mutual concern to both groups. We will be
working directly with the UN to meet the objectives of its Charter.

By the way, we saw immediate benefits in our status as a newly minted
NGO when the UN bookstore was ordered re-opened after it closed at 5:00
pm so that the ladies in red could shop...smile



:D Soror Boyd, take a bow as well as all SORORS who helped make this happen.

Kudos also to Past Presidents Marcia Fudge and Dorothy I. Height who began the multi-year process. :D

I shoulda have known those 2 were also instrumental. Soror Marcia is mayor where I grew up. I love her so. :D

My Buddy!
 

I was hanging with her just last weekend. She keynoted the IL Statewide Founders and was awesome as usual.

From what I was told, Soror Height approached Marcia with the idea (because NCNW was doing it) while Marcia was president and the two of them pulled together the application and got the ball rolling. It took this long for the process to be completed.

Re: My Buddy!
 

Rome was not built in a day, anything worth doing takes some time. I am glad and proud to see this happen.

Both her and Soror Height are such beautiful women. Soror Boyd too. Soror LadyGreek you too. Heck we all are;)

I was just informed that there are other orgs who share this honor of NGO status, but DELTA SIGMA THETA remains the newest. :D

At any rate, thanks to Shelacious for informing me that [color=royal blue]Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.[/color] and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. have also been bestowed with the NGO status from the United Nations.

Here is the complete listing of orgs with NGO status.

NGO STATUS ORGS

Wow
 

what an honor!!
Makes you feel all proud and stuff:D

Congratulations!!

I saw my organization on the list as well - Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. :D

A big congratulations to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for reaching NGO status. :cool:

Congrats to DST! That's pretty cool.

Re: Re: My Buddy!
 

I found out yesterday that the idea actually began during Hortense Canady's administration during the Women's Conference in China and was further germinated during the Women's Conference in Kenya. The final push then happened about 4 years ago.

So this has truly been an idea worth waiting for. I am also glad to see our other Sister Greeks having gained NGO status as well. Together we can make an even bigger impact.

Point of Clarification/Understanding
 

In an effort to educate myself on our newest honor, I did a little research. Apparently, there are 2 types of NGO status, NGOs associate with DPI (Department of Public Information) and NGOs with consultative status with ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council). You can have one, the other, or both. My Sister-Sorors of AKA and Zeta are NGOc with DPI, while Delta is NGO consultative status with ECOSOC. If you go here: http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/ngo...h/alphabet.htm and click on an organization's name, you will see what status they have, either DPI or E/D.

this was posted on kazo:
1. The original email, which has spread throughout the Internet, is not an official press release from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The official release will soon be on the national website.

2. NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are "any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group which is organized on a local, national, or international level." In the US we refer to them as nonprofits, social service agencies, etc. NGO is an international term that is mainly used in other countries to refer to their nonprofit sector. So in effect all of the BGLOs are NGOs.

3. AKA, ZPB, DST, Links, NAACP, and NCNW are all NGO associates of DPI, the Department of Information of the UN--AKA, ZPB, Links, and NCNW with a focus on women's rights, and DST and NAACP with a focus on human rights. This association is gained through an application process. To read more about what this means go to: www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/brochure.htm

4. In addition, NCNW and DST also have General Consultative and Special Consultative status, respectively, with the Economic and Social Council (ESOSOC.) This is also attained through an application process. DST received this status in Fall 2002, but the ceremony was just held last week. More info about what this means is also at the above link.

5. DST did not become an associate to DPI in the 50s or 60s. The resolution to have such associations was not passed by the Economic and Social Council until 1968. However, during the tenures of past presidents Dorothy Height (1947-1956) and Hortense Canady (1983-1988) , DST did host or participate in forums, meetings, etc. addressing various UN issues.

Thank you for your post and clearing up the questions that are now going around the internet. I think many were confused when it was stated that only NCNW and DST hold the particular status with the UN. Hopefully, this will clarify for people that while several African American women's orgs hold NGO status as associates of DPI, NCNW and DST hold General Consultative and Special Consultative status, respectively, with the Economic and Social Council (ESOSOC.)

The long awated press release
 

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
A Service Sorority
1707 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 2009
Telephone (202) 986-2400 Fax (202) 986-2513


(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: Lesley M. Eugene
Public Relations Specialist
leugene@deltasigmatheta.org
202-986-2400 Ext. 383


DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY AWARDED NGO CONSULTATIVE STATUS AT UNITED NATIONS

New York – March 27, 2003 – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has become a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) at the United Nations. In a presentation by Hanifa Mezoui, Chief NGO Section, Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN before 150 members of the organization from across the country, the National President, Gwendolyn Boyd, accepted the credentials on behalf of the sorority. Delta Sigma Theta was welcomed to the United Nations by Assistant Secretary General for External Affairs, Gillian Sorensen, who asked the sorority in her keynote address to, “Use your NGO status to monitor the status of women and children in the world and bind together with other NGOs to insure that the UN honors its commitments.” Delta Sigma Theta was granted Special Consultative Status as an NGO to the Economic and Social Council of the UN as a result of its volunteer services and humanitarian efforts performed to address issues throughout the world.

Special Consultative Status as an NGO allows the organization to provide analysis and expertise in monitoring and implementing international agreements on issues of mutual concern. As an NGO, Delta has the opportunity to gain access to and disseminate information concerning the range of issues on women and children in which the United Nations is involved. Delta’s representatives will attend regular briefings and disseminate information on UN activities to its members and the community at large.

Delta Sigma Theta is one of few African American women’s organizations to be credentialed by the United Nations with NGO Consultative status.

Delta Day at the United Nations events on March 27, 2003, included a welcome and overview session presented by Patricia Seghes who discussed the Millennium Declaration which sets forth the UN’s goals for the future, followed by a luncheon with Gillian Sorenson giving the keynote address. The topic was: “The Impact of Global Health Issues on Women”. A number of key UN officials addressed the group during the Delta forum on topics such as “Elimination of Violence Against Women,” “Global Advancement of Women,” “The State of the World’s Children,” and “ Women and Ageing”. Angela King, Assistant Secretary and Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, urged the group to be vigilant in monitoring issues that impact women. Maarit Kohonen, Human Rights Officer of High Commissioner for Human Rights, discussed the problems with U.S. women’s prisons and how to improve relations between NGO’s and the UN. Meg Gardinier, Chief NGO Officer, United States Office for Children (UNICEF), urged Delta to take an active role in the upcoming campaign to gain U.S. support for the Convention on the Rights of A Child and Alexandre Siderenko of Focal Point, United Nations Ageing, spoke on the importance of focusing on gender equity in policy development and the importance of sustaining health and wellness in old age.

National President Gwendolyn Boyd lead the delegation to the UN stating, “This is an historic day for Delta Sigma Theta as we continue to provide our technical expertise with our commitment to service to bring about positive growth and development in the lives of women and children throughout the world.” The Delta delegation consisted of members of the sorority’s National Executive Board, National Social Action Commission, federal and local officials, and other persons actively involved in community development and advocacy.

Founded on January 13, 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has been involved in providing service and support to local communities, leading the dialogue on public policy issues, supporting quality education, providing scholarships, sponsoring artistic innovation, creating positive opportunities for the development of youth, and producing new projects to stimulate current and future economic growth. For more information, visit www.deltasigmatheta.org.

Thanks Kelli
 

And just so there is no misunderstanding, I wrote the post on Kazo. I was responding to comments and questions raised based on the first unofficial email. Like Kelli, I went and did a lot of research on the UN and NGOs. The last bullet was in response to a statement that we had become a NGO with the UN in the 50s or 60s. So now we all have the OFFICIAL statement. :D

NAACP LDF President Honored At Goodbye Dinner
 

NAACP LDF President Honored At Goodbye Dinner

Elaine Jones' Many Accomplishments Noted

Elaine Jones, whose tenure ends May 1 as president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, leaves a rich legacy behind after 32 years - the last 11 as head of the group - including winning a landmark death penalty case, securing a presidential pardon for Kemba Smith and getting wrongful drug convictions of Blacks overturned in Tulia, Texas.

Gwendolyn E. Boyd, national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, mentioned Jones' gift of persuasion.

"When Elaine would come to the national convention, where between 15,000 and 20,000 Deltas gathered, she would walk up the mic and say, 'Sorors, I need your help' and we'd just fill in the blank. Then, we'd all start marching. When Elaine speaks, we just start moving. We'd ask a couple of days later, why? When, Elaine speaks, we just start moving.''

And she moved quickly.

http://www.sacobserver.com/news/0426...e_dinner.shtml


http://wilmingtonjournal.blackpressu...D=42650&sID=33

Frankie Muse Freeman - Past President
 

The Raleigh Alumnae Delta Endowment, Inc. presents Frankie Muse Freeman of St. Louis, MO June 5-12, 2004. Ms. Freeman is a past president of Delta, distinguished attorney, civil rights activist, author and Hampton University alumna. Events will be held throughout the Raleigh, NC area during the span of the week. Please e-mail me if you want details.

Re: Frankie Muse Freeman - Past President
 

Not to mention the first Black woman to serve on the United States Civil Rights Commission! And she was written an informative autobiography about her struggles growing up as a Black woman.

Go 'Head On, Soror Forbes
 

Jun 4, 12:53 PM

Seniors thrive on the go

Activity keeps mind, body healthy

BY ELESKA AUBESPIN
FLORIDA TODAY

Read the rest here
For Catherine Forbes, walking five miles daily, six days a week, is no big thing .

The Palm Bay resident has done so for 24 years, faithfully arriving at a nearby park walking trail at 5:30 a.m. for a good workout.

Forbes is 84. She continues to live an active, healthy life rich with exercise, healthy eating habits, travel and community connections.

"I want to be able to take care of myself as long as possible, and I find that exercise has really helped me to do that," said Forbes, a retired schoolteacher.

Her body was ravaged when she was younger by two bouts of breast cancer, osteoporosis and arthritis. She also lost a kidney to complications after kidney stones.

Exercise and daily activities have kept those problems in check, she said. Also, Forbes has lost 40 pounds. She doesn't have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.

In addition, her cancer has been in remission since 2002 and daily walking has eased typical aches and pains.

"I've been walking since retirement in 1980," Forbes said. "It was one of the things I promised I would do. Now, I feel alert mentally, and it keeps down my back pain. In fact, when I don't walk, my legs are so stiff."

And Forbes doesn't stop at walking. She's active in her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, and with her church, the Allen Chapel AME in Melbourne. Next month, she plans a trip to Las Vegas with friends.

"I'm going to have fun and enjoy the nightlife," she said. "I'm living. The Lord has really blessed me."

Pete Frink, a friend of Forbes for 20 years, said she is a role model when it comes to good health and exercise later in life.

"It's important for everybody, particularly African-Americans, to keep ourselves healthy as we age because we are so prone to diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol," said Frink, the internal auditor for Melbourne.

Thanks CT4. This is great motivation for me. I definitely gotta meet her at convention.

Delta's Stories of Triumph (DST in the News)
 

I heard about this on the radio this morning.

http://national.unitedway.org/

United Way of America Announces New Chair Bennett College President Dr. Johnnetta Cole begins term

TAMPA, FL – United Way of America (UWA) Board of Trustees unanimously elected Bennett College President Dr. Johnnetta Cole as UWA Board Chair, with her term beginning immediately. Dr. Cole succeeds Radio Shack Corporation Chairman and CEO Leonard H. Roberts who has served as chair of the United Way’s national leadership organization’s Board of Trustees since May 2002. “To have been asked to serve as chair on United Way of America’s Board of Trustee is a distinct honor for me,” said Dr. Cole. “I’ve long believed in our individual moral responsibility to give help where it’s needed and United Way is uniquely able to do so. As I see it, this board’s challenge is to hold itself and the movement to the highest standards of performance and accountability. I am convinced that together, we will make great strides in helping United Way movement to achieve its vision to build a stronger America by mobilizing our communities to improve people’s lives.” Dr. Cole becomes the first African-American board chair for United Way of America. “I did not accept the United Way Chair position because I would be the first African-American in the seat; I accepted the position because United Way of America President Brian Gallagher promised me that I would not be the last.”


http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368...2/55911174.jpg


Kudos Soror Dr. Johnetta B. Cole :D

That's my president!! I miss her already- boo to summer! We are soo proud of her at Bennett!

Re: Delta's Stories of Triumph (DST in the News)
 

GREAT!!! Where does this woman find the time to sit still!

Way To Go Sorors in Sacramento
 

http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/s...10442639c.html


ARTICLE EXCERPT:

In the North Sacramento Elementary School District, nearly nine out of 10 students come from poor families, many of them homeless, according to statistics from the state Department of Education.

The district adopted an early literacy curriculum for preschoolers that was recommended by the state education department, said Janet Sheingold, district director of child development services.

The curriculum features large-group reading, related interactive computer activities, and taking books home for parents to help their children read and memorize.

School officials have tracked children who took part in the curriculum and found that by second grade, their reading scores were significantly higher than those of their peers who did not participate.

"There is significant retention going on," Sheingold said.

North Sacramento teachers also encourage parent volunteerism and use of the well-stocked school libraries. That's especially crucial in a district where many parents themselves have trouble reading.

"When the parent helps the child, it also helps the parent pick up some of those literacy skills," Sheingold said.

At Parkway Elementary, the Raising A Reader program came courtesy of Terris McMahan Grimes and the Sacramento chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Together, they raised $1,300 to buy the books and related materials.

McMahan Grimes, a Sacramento mystery novelist, mentors a child at Parkway Elementary and chose the Head Start class because of its demographics. Eight out of 10 students at Parkway receive a free or reduced-price lunch and a majority of students are African American or Latino.

"I'm very passionate about literacy," said McMahan Grimes.

Born in Tucker, Ark., she and her family lived in a cabin without electricity or running water. She remembers there being only four books in the house.

Her family moved to California when she was 5 years old. Here, African American children got to attend school year-round, "not just when the crops were out," she said.

Her fondest memory is of her mother, a natural storyteller who bought Little Golden Books at the corner grocery store.

"She would sit me down on her lap and read," McMahan Grimes said. "That 15 minutes of my mother reading to me were the most valuable gift I ever had. My mother did that instinctively, and that's what we hope to share with these parents."

Parent surveys from 2001 show that children participating in Raising A Reader were more than 50 percent more likely to read at least three times a week, and up to three times more likely to visit a public library with parents than before they started the program.

Glimpse at hope for troubled teens

One was 18. Three were 15. Two were 14. Another one was 16, and two were 17. They announced their hometowns as such places as Sweetwater, Campbell County, Jackson, Chattanooga, Greeneville, Crockett County and Nashville.

On this particular night, they came in shackles and they left in shackles, but what happened in between perhaps matters most.


http://www.tennessean.com/opinion/co...nt_ID=52650895


''It's so delightful to be here,'' Tennessee Children's Services Department Commissioner Viola Miller said last Thursday night as she addressed the nine girls and others from the Nashville community who had been invited to the dinner by Harper and other members of her Delta Sigma Theta sorority. ''This kind of thing enriches your life.''

As for the girls, Miller said, ''this is an opportunity for you to grow and thrive.''

Since 1993, members of Delta Sigma Theta have been going out to Woodland Hills once a month to encourage the girls being held there to be successful once they get out of confinement.

''It's a stop-off point,'' Harper said of Woodland Hills. ''We tell the girls to enjoy life while they are there and to follow the rules.

''We got involved because we wanted to see what we could do to have an impact in these young women's lives. We also wanted to experience the joy in having some impact in their lives.''

If you don't think that matters, I wish you could have been in the ballroom Thursday night when Cathy Bell, the new superintendent of Woodland Hills, said, ''It's wonderful to see people who care about children and give them time.''

For juveniles, as well as adults, the more connection to society that they can keep while incarcerated the better their chances for success once they are back in society, said Ryan King, a research associate with The Sentencing Project.

''This is especially important for juveniles,'' said King, whose Washington-based organization advocates for change in the nation's crime policies. ''Adults, who are older, have already been formed emotionally, but juveniles are still developing.

''Any time you can show them that they haven't been forgotten, the benefits will be greater than hiding them away.''

There were a few educators present, a Metro police officer, a Tennessee highway patrol officer and at least two ministers.

As Harper said, Woodland Hills should just be a bump in the road for those youngsters who are sent there to pay their debt to society for getting in trouble with the law.

And yes, while they're locked up they should definitely do what they're supposed to do. But it's also good for them to know there are people on the outside willing to help them become successful in life once they have served their time.

And, as the members of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority have shown for the past 11 years, you don't have to wait until these youngsters are released to show them how to be successful. All you have to do is make that one call to volunteer your services.

The smiles on these youngsters' faces will tell you how much they appreciate it.



I really did only provide excerpts. Kudos to this Tennessee chapter of DST. :D

Bishop Vashti McKenzie in Time magazine
 

From the June 28, 2004 Vol. 163, number 26 issue:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...5431-2,00.html

baby exerpt:

VASHTI MCKENZIE
Be Better Than the Men

There is no feminine for the word bishop in the Sesotho language. The word literally means "father." This was a bit dismaying to Vashti McKenzie when she arrived in Africa four years ago. After all, McKenzie, now 57, had just been elected the first female bishop in the history of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church and been posted to its 18th district, which includes the churches of Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana and Mozambique.

I am sooo looking forward to hearing her at our Boule's ecumenical service!

:)

Re: Bishop Vashti McKenzie in Time magazine
 

I printed out the whole article. Its so inspiring!

Re: Bishop Vashti McKenzie in Time magazine
 

You will be blessed 1913 times when you hear her speak. :D

57?????? Wow she looks more like 37.:)

I agree. She and you both. :D That's good genes for you.


ETA: I just now got to read the article and I must say I count it a joy to have her as a SOROR. She is my SheRo. :D

Let's try it this way. Here is the link to the main page.

http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw...documents.html

The above link should work. Click on the link and page down to NGO Documents located at the bottom of the page. You are looking for

E/CN.6/2004/NGO/19 [ A C E F R S ]
Statement submitted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Clink on the [E] in the parenthesis for English. You should be able to access the statement submitted by our Headquarters.


Thanks to Soror Ms. Public Service for passing this along. She had been trying to get it on GC but we cannot link for some reason, the PDF link. So you have to follow these steps. :)

Soror Dorothy Height will be featured on the NBC Today Show on Monday, July 5th.

Re: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. CONTINUES to make History
 

I love your excitement soror.

Bishop urges blacks to show commitment to what's right
Sunday, June 27, 2004

Angela D. Chatman
Plain Dealer Reporter

African-Americans must espouse what is right even as they face challenges, one of the nation's top religious leaders said Saturday.

"Don't allow pressure to cloud your vision of what is right and what is wrong. Don't allow clutter to silence our voices," urged Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first female bishop in the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

She cited several concerns of the black community. These include failing public schools; the billions spent in Afghanistan and Iraq while this country is unable to find the money to rebuild neighborhoods, and the military's successful hunt for Saddam Hussein while authorities cannot find the source of the crack cocaine that is brought into urban neighborhoods.

"Who will speak up against evil and atrocities that are happening in this 21st century?" asked McKenzie, preaching to people at PowerNetworking 2004, FraserNet Inc.'s third annual business networking conference at the Cleveland Convention Center.


Read the rest HERE

One of my dearest friends/ mentees was a Gamma Nu soror. She passed a few years ago--Karen E. Hodge. Please keep her memory alive in your Gamma Nu excitement.

Sister 2 Sister
 

In the August 2004 issue of S2S (with Brandy on the cover) there is a story on Gabrielle Glass, who is a member of the Detroit Alumnae chapter according to the magazine. Ms. Glass is one of only 36 African-American women who are licensed to pilot commerical planes. Ms. Glass is a 1997 graduate of Hampton University and currently works as a pilot for Mesaba Airlines' Northwest Airlink, which is a regional carrier for Northwest Airlines.