By APRIL DAVIS, Progress Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 25, 2006 9:44 AM EST
Members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. paid tribute Sunday to the 22 young collegiate women, who nearly a century ago, began a legacy to improve the quality of life for humankind through public service.
Members of the Thomson Alumnae Chapter hosted a Founder's Day celebration at Springfield Baptist Church surrounded by guests.
“We are thankful for our visiting sorors, representatives of other Greek letter organizations, friends and supporters who came to celebrate Founder's Day with us,” said Georgia Hobbs, president of the Thomson Alumnae Chapter.
“We are also thankful to Springfield Baptist Church, which has been our home base since chartered.”
The program offered a look to the past through traditional ceremonies and prayer as well as a look into future obligations as guest speaker Soror Louise A. Rice, the 23rd national president of Delta Sigma Theta, spoke of the organization's most recent contributions and the strides ahead.
“In 1913, our courageous founders stepped out of the box with a vision and a mission to make a significant difference in promoting social and racial betterment through public service,” she said.
Embodying the group's theme, “One mission, one sisterhood - Empowering communities through committed service,” Rice spoke of how a recent visit to hurricane stricken areas put a new task before the organization.
“Out of more than 200 Delta sorors in New Orleans,” Rice said, “there were only 55 Delta alumnae left after Hurricane Katrina.”
In the spirit of sisterhood, however, more than 200 sorors from around the country joined these women in their own Founder's Day celebration.
Rice said for two and a half hours, she toured the city with local officials, three of whom were Deltas.
“I was shocked at the devastation,” she said. “It was nothing but devastation for miles and miles.”
Rice said these tragic events attest to the importance of establishing visions.
“It's important that we provide for the welfare of all our citizens without regard to economic status, race or political affiliation,” she said.
“How many people have perished because there was no vision? We need a vision that includes everyone.”
Rice said the organization immediately rose to the challenge following these events with the establishment of the Delta Hurricane Katrina Relief Task Force, which serves as an effective response to not only assist sorors, but all who were affected.
“We're committed and here for the long haul,” she said. “Our vision is relief, and I'm excited to announce we have exceeded $1 million in contributions toward this effort.”
The spirit of the Delta Sigma Theta sisterhood has grown since its inception, reaching more than 200,000 members and 900 chapters throughout the country and abroad.
“Ever cognizant of the 93 years this organization has seen and the differences we continue to make in each of our communities, we indeed have a legacy to celebrate,” Rice said. “The best time to reach out to someone is now, and the best person to lend a hand is you. Remember, doing good isn't always acceptable, but doing good is always accepted,” she said.
http://www.mcduffieprogress.com/arti...ews/news03.txt