HR 401: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; 112 years of service; Delta Day at the state capitol; March 3, 2025; recognize

House Resolution 401

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

A RESOLUTION

Commending Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for its 112 years of service and recognizing March 3, 2025, as Delta Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

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

WHEREAS, the 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. is a sisterhood of college educated women dedicated to academic excellence and committed to community service; and

WHEREAS, more than 300,000 women have joined the organization to implement the sorority's mission through its five point programmatic thrust of educational development, economic development, political awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and international awareness and involvement; and

WHEREAS, the sorority has more than 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States as well as internationally, including Germany, England, Japan, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Republic of Korea; and

WHEREAS, Delta Days at Georgia State Capitol has instituted the Georganna Sinkfield Servant Leadership Award in recognition of her service as the longest serving female in the history of the Georgia General Assembly; the Pota E. Coston Trailblazer Award, named for the first African American female commissioner elected in Fayette County, Georgia; and the Social Action Collegiate Change Agent Award, which is awarded to a student actively involved in student government association leadership or partner organizations who demonstrates the ability to create change in either the campus or community environment; and

WHEREAS, members of this illustrious sisterhood serve as elected officials, lend support to various local communities, and lead dialogues on public policy throughout their communities; and

WHEREAS, its members are committed to initiatives in alignment with its theme of "Our Future, Our Fight: Making an impact for 112 years through sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action!," allowing the members to continue its legacy of social justice through civic engagement.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend the efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for its 112 years of continued commitment to public service and its work in making the State of Georgia a better place in which to live and recognize March 3, 2025, as Delta Day at the state capitol. 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.