Telling their story

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
celebrates its Tallahassee heritage

By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook staff writer

Every bit of the theme “Let me tell you our story” played out virtually during the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Heritage Day Celebration.

Throughout the recent event earlier this month, the chapter featured stories that dated back to its beginnings in the 1940s to present. Many of the sorority’s accomplishment were highlighted, including community work and scholarship assistance that enabled hundreds to attend college.

Regional and national leaders participated in the celebration that attracted hundreds and lasted more than an hour. The work that the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter is doing hasn’t gone unnoticed, Elsie Cooke-Holmes, National Secretary of the sorority, assured the virtual gathering.

The Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter started as the Gamma Eta Sigma Chapter with Grace Mays Beckett at the helm. It became a charter member in October 1946.

The national organization was founded at Howard University by a group of females who set out to improve academic standards while helping people in need. Those principles are still being upheld by the Tallahassee chapter, obvious by the stories told during the celebration.

 “Not a day goes by that we don’t add another page to the history and heritage of our glorious sisterhood,” said Cooke-Holmes. “It’s imperative that we preserve, treasure and share our stories. 

“I applaud you for hosting this Delta Heritage Celebration to highlight your rich history and tremendous accomplishments that you have made to the Tallahassee community. You should be proud of your story of commitment, dedication and impact.”

In telling their story, they showed photos of past leaders and the era that they served. Events and projects that the organization had undertaken were also highlighted.

The mood became festive when the audience was asked to participate in trivia sessions that tested their memories of specific eras. 

Some of the questions included naming the first African American to break the color barrier in baseball. People’s memory were tested even more when they were asked the cost of a movie ticket in the 1950s.  

Initiatives were very much a part of the conversation, touching on events like the introduction of Delta Day at the Capitol in 1995 and how it grew to became a statewide event.

Even in the midst of the pandemic, the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter held four wellness sessions on zoom. They also used the virtual platform during last year’s campaign when it was host of a Leon County School superintendent candidates forum.

 Fund-raising didn’t stop during the pandemic, either as the group held its popcorn with a purpose event, one of the initiatives that the local group was first to do.  

Videos featuring some of the events that the local chapter partnered on such as food giveaway with Second Harvest. Their engagement with other non-profit included the March of Dime Walk, St. Jude and UNICEF.

Additional community work also included supporting other major non-profit organizations like the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, the Delta Research and Education Foundation and the National Council of Negro Women.

Sheila Jenkins, chair of the National Nomination Committee, also cited members of the TAC who have a role in vetting the next national leadership of Delta. She was especially impressed by the involvement of collegiate members, calling them the “heartbeat of the sorority.”  

The committee’s work  “will help shape the vision of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., for years to come,” she said. Later she added that their work is “notable and game-changing.”