History

Our Founders

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 collegiate women at Howard University to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need. The Founders of Delta Sigma Theta envisioned an organization committed to sisterhood, scholarship, service, and addressing the social issues of the time. The sorority currently has 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Canada, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, West Africa and the Republic of Korea.

The major programs of the sorority are based upon the organization’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust:

1. Economic Development

2. Physical and Mental Health

3. Educational Development

4. Political Awareness and Involvement

5. International Awareness and Involvement

Enfield-Roanoke Rapids Alumnae Chapter Charter Members

Ms. Vivian D. Branch, Mrs. Kay W. Brown, Mrs. Laura W. Buffaloe, Mrs. Della L. Clark, Mrs. Miriam J. Clark*, Mrs. Doris H. Cochran, Mrs. Lois P. Edmond, Mrs. Emily Edwards, Mrs. Lucy M. Edwards, Ms. Lutricia Lynch, Mrs. Pearl J. Marshall, Ms. Gwendolyn C. Newell, *Mrs. Vivian M. Robinson, Mrs. Doretha Sledge, Ms. Sarah J. Smith, +*Mrs. Lillie J. Solomon and *Ms. Ethel Yelity

*deceased +chapter organizer

History of the

Enfield-Roanoke Rapids Chapter

Forty-one years ago on February 15, 1975, seventeen women decided to charter a chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority that would serve the rural Halifax and Northampton Counties. Mrs. Lillie J. Solomon initiated the interest to establish a chapter in this area. She was accompanied by Ms. Vivian D. Branch, Mrs. Kay W. Brown, Mrs. Laura W. Buffaloe, Mrs. Della L. Clark, Mrs. Miriam J. Clark, Mrs. Doris H. Cochran, Mrs. Lois P. Edmond, Mrs. Emily Edwards, Mrs. Lucy M. Edwards, Ms. Lutricia Lynch, Mrs. Pearl J. Marshall, Ms. Gwendolyn C. Newell, Mrs. Vivian M. Robinson, Mrs. Doretha Sledge, Ms. Sarah J. Smith, and Ms. Ethel Yelity. Mrs. Della Clark was installed as the first president. Since the inception of the Enfield-Roanoke Rapids Alumnae Chapter in 1975, its members have focused on scholarship, community service, and community awareness programs at the local, regional, and national level that are consistent with the Sorority’s Five-Point Thrust Program.

Through the vision and direction of women who have served as Chapter President, the Enfield Roanoke Rapids Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta has been a driving force of public service and betterment of the community. These formidable women are Della Clark, Vivian Robinson, Vivian Branch, Emily Edwards, Lucy Edwards, Geraldine Miles, Lillie Solomon, Terri Anderson, Sandra Rudd-Knight, Kimberley Robinson, A. Faye Young, Teresa Freeman, Cynthia Martin, Kimberly Bracy, Coletta Edwards, Nicole Baker, Dr. Felisha A. Whitaker, and Dr. Waquita N. L. Holloman. These women have led the Sorority in continuing the mission of our founders and national leaders of sisterhood, scholarship, and service with a renewed focus on programs to meet the needs of the bi-county area the chapter serves which aligns to the sororities’ five-point programmatic thrust. Major chapter accomplishments include the Miss Jabberwock Scholarship Program which has raised thousands of dollars for young ladies in high school who are juniors and seniors and plan to matriculate to college or university, Union Mission volunteer work, partnerships with outside agencies that support women’s issues including physical and mental health through Relay for Life efforts, eradication of domestic abuse, and fundraising campaigns through Project 13, developing programs supporting Debt-free living, strengthening the chapter’s relationship with the local chambers of commerce, instituting practical public service activities through grassroots efforts to meet local needs. The chapter has also partnered with the Department of Social Services and foster care.

From a small group of 17 chartering women, through the leadership of 18 presidents, and the working hands of chapter members to date, the Enfield-Roanoke Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta has grown to a standard of excellence serving the community and sponsored programs and activities addressing the personal, social, educational, and economic needs of many people in the bi-county area.

Read more about our Sorority on Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's National Website .