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.
Financial Fortitude
National economic trends, such as unstable employment, the threat to Social Security as we know it, and the widening gap between wealth and poverty are the bases for the development of Financial Fortitude, the current Economic Development Program Initiative of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Financial Fortitude 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 process serves as a blueprint to address all aspects of personal finances.
The Financial Fortitude initiative is comprised of ten components and provides a collaboration of information from the FDIC, the National Endowment for Financial Education and other well-known financial institutions. The initiative help members of the sorority spread financial education throughout their local communities.
Delta Academy
Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Preparing Young Women For the 21st Century: The Delta Academy was created out of an urgent sense that bold action was needed to save our young females (ages 11-14) from the perils of academic failure, low self-esteem, and crippled futures. Delta Academy provides an opportunity for local chapters to enrich and enhance the education that our young teens receive in public schools across the nation. Specifically, we augment their scholarship in math, science, and technology, their opportunities to provide service in the form of leadership through service learning defined as the cultivation and maintenance of relationships. A primary goal of the program is to prepare young girls for full participation as leaders in the 21st Century. Delta Academy has taken many forms. In some chapters, the Academies are after-school or Saturday programs; others are weekly or biweekly throughout the school year; and still other programs occur monthly. At a minimum, chapters plan and implement varied activities based upon the needs of the early adolescents in their areas. The activities implemented most often include computer training, self-esteem and etiquette workshops, field trips for science experiences and for college exposure, and special outings to cultural events, fancy dinners, museums, plays, and concerts.
Delta GEMS: Growing And Empowering Myself Successfully
A natural outgrowth and expansion for the continuation of the highly successful Dr. Betty Shabaaz Delta Academy: Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Delta GEMS was created to catch the dreams of African American at-risk, adolescent girls aged 14-18. Delta GEMS provides the frame work to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a CAN DO attitude. The goals for Delta GEMS are:
- To instill the need to excel academically;
- To provide tools that enable girls to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success;
- To assist girls in proper goal setting and planning for their futures high school and beyond; and
- To create compassionate, caring, and community minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.
The Delta GEMS program offers a road map for college and career planning conducts activities that provide opportunities for self-reflection and individual growth. Delta GEMS, like Delta Academy, is implemented by chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
EMBODI: Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence
The EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) program is designed to refocus the efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., with the support and action of other major organizations, on the plight of African-American males. Both informal and empirical data suggests that the vast majority of African-American males continues to be in crisis and is not reaching its fullest potential educationally, socially and emotionally. EMBODI is designed to address these issues through dialogue and recommendations for change and action. EMBODI addresses issues related to STEM education, culture, self-efficacy, leadership, physical and mental health, healthy lifestyles choices, character, ethics, relationships, college readiness, fiscal management, civic engagement and service learning.
Jabberwock
Jabberwock, a title which is from Lewis Carroll's famous tale, Alice in Wonderland, was conceived in 1923 by Soror Marion Hope Conover of the Iota Chapter. The idea of a variety type show of fun that would interest sororities, fraternities, clubs and other groups to produce skills and offer development to young ladies in the community. Its presentation offers encouragement and practical help to the development of any talent that individuals possess. Such talents may be in the field of music, dramatics, public speaking, aesthetic dancing, etc. Besides furnishing Delta with a means of financing, it also strengthens its scope of public relations and a real opportunity to be of service to the local communities. Funds raised by Jabberwock are distributed back into the community by way of scholarships, service programs and the chapter's participation in the many challenges that confronts African Americans.
For more information email: fundraisingfvac@gmail.com
Through the International Awareness and Involvement (IAI) programmatic thrust, Delta Sigma Theta harnesses its vast potential to impact strategically the plight of people living across the diaspora. International Awareness and Involvement will continue to move forward in this 21st Century by strengthening our Awareness and Involvement in Africa and Haiti. Throughout the years, the Sorority has continued to use its NGO status to impact the lives of women and girls across the globe. The five (5) primary focus areas included:
- IAI Sustainability Plan
- IAI Webinars
- World AIDS Day
- IAI Newsletter
- IAI Mission Trips
The Total Woman: Mind, Body and Spirit:
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 families and communities we serve. The DeltaCare initiative is an internal wellness initiative under the programmatic thrust of Physical and Mental Health. It was created to promote self-care through physical wellness, emotional wellness, and awareness/advocacy. Specifically, the Red S.H.O.E. challenge is the physical health component of DeltaCare that encourages members to engage in healthy behaviors. S.H.O.E. is an acronym for Self-care, Healthy Options, and Exercise.
Delta Days at the Nations Capital
In 1989, the National Social Action Commission instituted Delta Days in the Nation's Capital, an annual legislative conference to increase members' involvement in the national public policy-making process. The annual conference includes legislative briefings, issue forums, and advocacy skills development. Featured speakers include key policymakers, members of the United States Congress, Congressional staff members, and national issues experts.
The activities of Delta Days in the Nation's Capital are briefings on legislative issues which impact the African-American community; skill development sessions such as How to Advocate Effectively, Understanding the Role of Congressional Staffers, How to Monitor and Track Legislation; and legislative visits to members of Congress. The participants, who come from all geographical areas of the country, also have opportunities to observe the legislators in session, participate in Senate Press Tours and White House briefings. Members of Delta and others with expertise on various issues, conduct the skills development and discussion sessions. In addition, the members also participate in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Town Hall Meetings and conducts Delta Days at the State Capitol, Delta Days at City Hall, and Delta Days at the School Board.
Delta Days at the United Nations
Special Consultative Status as an NGO allows the organization to provide analysis and expertise in monitoring and implementing international agreements on issues of mutual concern. As an NGO, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has the opportunity to gain access to and disseminate information concerning a range of issues on women and children in which the United Nations is involved. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. representatives attend regular briefings and disseminate information on UN activities to its members and the community at large.
Delta Day at the United Nations is held annually.
Social Action
In March of 1913, nearly six weeks after its founding, several Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Founders marched in the historic Suffragist March under the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. banner, the Sorority's first public act. Today, low voter turnout statistics highlight the need to continue to identify ways to include opportunities for all citizens to exercise their voting power. Each of Delta’s programmatic initiatives has an advocacy component that is implemented under the auspices of social action when it is appropriate or necessary to do so.
Under the auspices of the National Social Action Commission, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. continues to institute activities that foster:
- Sponsoring Voter Registration and voter education programs
- Combating Voter Suppression
- The full restoration of voting rights for individuals who have paid their debt to society (ex-offenders)
- Affordable Health Care and access to quality health care
- Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment
- Support for HBCU
- Political Awareness and Involvement
- Gender Equality
- Racial Profiling
Emergency Response Team (ERT)
Fort Valley Alumnae Chapter Emergency Response Team (ERT) program to educate communities about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
Reading is Fundamental
Fort Valley Alumnae Chapter is committed to a literate America where all children have the opportunities that literacy provides.
Relay for Life
Fort Valley Alumnae Chapter participates in Relay for Life events to help communities across the globe fight back against cancer.
Scholarships
Fort Valley Alumnae Chapter awards scholarships to student applicants entering college. Students must meet both academic and community service requirements.
Walk to End Alzheimer's
Fort Valley Alumnae Chapter participates in the Walk to End Alzheimer's events to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.