Since its founding in 1913 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has clearly distinguished itself as a public service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of African Americans and, hence, all Americans. Over the years, a wide range of programs addressing education, health, international development, and strengthening of the African American family have evolved. In realizing its mission, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. provides an extensive array of public service initiatives through its Five-Point Program Thrust of Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.
Economic Development
Financial Fortitude, Delta’s current economic initiative, is a process that will help program participants to set and define goals, develop a plan to achieve them and to put the plan into action. The key components of the program include Credit Principles, Investments, Retirement Savings, Home Ownership, and Estate Planning. The objective is to assist members and the local community in realizing the overarching goal of personal wealth and financial security through an understanding of the basic principles of goal setting, financial planning, budgeting, debt management, savings and investments, education savings, retirement planning, home ownership, insurance, estate planning and entrepreneurship.
PAC has been providing workshops throughout the year and will continue during this fiscal year.
Educational Development
Delta’s investment in developing the minds of our future are evident through the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, a leadership and empowerment program for girls ages 11-14 years; the Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) program which fostering the dreams of girls ages 14-18 years; and the EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) youth program for males ages 11-18 years, which uses, for example, the hallmarks of STEM education, leadership, college readiness, fiscal management, civic engagement and service learning to impact our participant’s lives.
PAC is in the process of activating the GEMS and Academy programs this fiscal year.
International Awareness and Involvement
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has a long history of involvement on the international stage, including the fight for human rights and development of infrastructure. For decades, Delta has impacted our sisters and brothers around the world through the International Awareness & Involvement thrust. Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital has been providing pre- and post-natal care for women and children in Thika, Kenya since 1955. Dedicated in 2002, the Delta House (Swaziland) is a home for children who became orphans due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Opened on June 15, 2013, the Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre Campus of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. School provides an adequate school facility to include clean water for school children in Haiti.
We are committed to making an impact on the quality of life for our brothers and sisters across the world. Locally, PAC current initiatives focus on HIV/AIDS Education and Awareness, workshops to be facilitated in various locations. World AIDS Day (December 1st – annually) – Location TBA. Other chapter initiative includes Human Trafficking awareness.
Physical and Mental Health Awareness
As an organization of predominantly African American women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is uniquely positioned to impact not only the well-being of its membership, but also the well-being of families and communities at large. Journey to Wellness: Committing our Bodies to Physical and Mental Health is now the signature Physical and Mental Health “call to action”. The initiative addresses the challenges of living holistic and health lives. The three-pronged approach to Journey to Wellness includes:
- A refocused Lose to Win! To include Physical Activity and Healthy Eating
- Physical Health: Chronic Diseases and
- Mental Health
The committee was honored to present at the Las Vegas Convention best practices on their program during the 16/17 fiscal year. The PMH committee looks forward to facilitating new and informative workshops that will address issues impacting our community,
Political Awareness and Involvement
From participating in the Women’s Suffrage March & Movement in March 1913 to this moment, Delta has shaped and will continue to shape the landscape of politics and history in the United States. From voter registration and turn-out to policy-making, Delta continues to push justice and fairness in every way of our culture and life. Social Action is achieved under the direction of the Sorority’s National Social Action Commission.
PAC Political Awareness and Involvement will be facilitating various workshops to include voters registration and education.