HR 20: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; 112 years of service; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Founders Day; 01/13/25; recognize

House Resolution 20

By: Representatives Davis of the 87th, Jackson of the 165th, Cummings of the 39th, Burnough of the 77th, Jones of the 60th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Commending Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for its 112 years of service and recognizing January 13, 2025, as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Founders Day; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is a public service organization that was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 visionary collegiate women at Howard University in Washington, D.C., dedicated to sisterhood, scholarship, and public service; and

WHEREAS, its founding members included Osceola Macarthy Adams, Marguerite Young Alexander, Winona Cargile Alexander, Ethel Cuff Black, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Zephyr Chisom Carter, Edna Brown Coleman, Jessie McGuire Dent, Frederica Chase Dodd, Myra Davis Hemmings, Olive Jones, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Vashti Turley Murphy, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Mamie Reddy Rose, Eliza P. Shippen, Florence Letcher Toms, Ethel Carr Watson, Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Madree Penn White, and Edith Motte Young; and

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has grown into a global sisterhood of over 300,000 initiated members with more than 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters across the United States and internationally, including in England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and South Korea; and

WHEREAS, the sorority's Five-Point Programmatic Thrust focuses on Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement, reflecting its enduring commitment to positive social change; and

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has produced trailblazers and civic leaders, including civil rights icons, educators, business leaders, and public servants dedicated to justice and equality; and

WHEREAS, distinguished members of the Georgia General Assembly who are proud members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. include state representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Rhonda Burnough (D-Riverdale), Sheila Jones (D-Atlanta), Edna Jackson (D-Savannah), MeKyah McQueen (D-Smyrna), and Terry Cummings (D-Mableton), each of whom exemplifies the sorority's ideals of public service and leadership; and

WHEREAS, the sorority's first public act was its participation in the historic 1913 Women's Suffrage March in Washington, D.C., underscoring its legacy of civic engagement and social action; and

WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. continues to advance its legacy of advocacy through hosting signature events such as Delta Days at the State Capitol and by addressing critical issues impacting communities across Georgia and the nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for its 112 years of impactful service; recognize January 13, 2025, as Founders Day; and celebrate the sorority's ongoing contributions toward building stronger communities through advocacy, education, and leadership.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.