Happy Founders Day Sorors!!! I am loving the title of this article...how apropos!!!
To view the entire article, go to
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2003Jan12.html
The Deltas: A Force to Be Reckoned With
Poor Vernon Jordan. His extensive list of
accomplishments lacks one thing: membership in the
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. "I love them," Jordan said
Saturday night. "I actually tried to be a Delta when I
was at Howard, but they wouldn't take me. So I married
one."
Jordan's first wife, Shirley, was a member of the
famed African American sorority, as were hundreds of
other women who celebrated its 90th anniversary this
weekend at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Saturday's
black-tie gala dinner was filled with Deltas in red
and cream (the sorority's colors) surrounded by
admirers in tuxedos, including Howard University
President H. Patrick Swygert. "Delta women -- both
when I was a young student and today -- combine a
wonderful mix of intellect and soul," he said.
Delta Sigma Theta was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, by 22
Howard undergrads. These young women (who thought the
only other sorority on campus, Alpha Kappa Alpha, was
a bit too "social") established a new,
service-oriented sorority. "We're women who are about
change," President Gwendolyn Boyd told the crowd. "We
feel compelled to make a difference. That's why we're
Deltas."
There are more than 200,000 members today; Deltas on
the guest list Saturday included civil rights icon
Dorothy Height, former secretary of labor Alexis
Herman, Bennett College President Johnnetta Cole,
former District first lady Cora Masters Barry and Rep.
Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio.)
"I wouldn't have been labor secretary if I wasn't a
Delta," Herman asserted, adding that her sorority
sisters lobbied tirelessly for her appointment to Bill
Clinton's Cabinet.
Jones, who is the first black woman named to the House
Ways and Means Committee, was even more grateful.
"It's given me a base of support," she said, noting
that Deltas take care of one another. (And, lucky for
her, they send in campaign contributions.)
The evening, befitting the Delta founders, was long on
speeches and short on play -- although dancing was on
the program. "We know how to party, too," Jones said
with a smile. Well . . . we'll have to ask the Alphas
about that.
Great Weekend!
Happy Founder's Day DST
Hybrid Mode
