Delta Centennial - 100 Years for Largest African-American Women’s Service Group


DETROIT- 100 years in the making, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. kicked off national centennial celebrations by becoming the first African-American women’s organization and the first Black Greek-letter organization to sponsor a float in the New Year’s Day Rose Parade, in Pasadena, Calif. – and attracting national media attention for the feat.

Metro Detroit’s local Centennial events are a full year of service and celebration. “Delta is the largest African-American women’s service organization, so it’s no wonder that centennial celebrations will take place throughout the year in metro Detroit, to commemorate the social action movement that began January 13, 1913, with 22 college students, on the campus of Washington, D.C.’s historically black Howard University,” said Beverly A. Gray, president of the Detroit Alumnae Chapter.

Highlights of the centennial celebration schedule include:

Sunday, January 13 – On the actual 100th birthday, several hundred Deltas will gather for “Praise for 100 Years of Leadership & Love,” a worship and rededication service for members only, 3 p.m. at Corinthian Baptist Church in Hamtramck, Mich. Members should consult the Detroit Delta website for additional information, at www.DetroitDeltas.org.

Saturday, January 26 – More than 1,000 Deltas, including elected officials, educators, business and community leaders, along with their guests, are expected to attend “Celebrating a Century of Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service: Preserving Our Past, Celebrating Our Present and Transforming Our Future.” The event will be held at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, beginning at 4 p.m.

The keynote speaker for the dinner is Delta member, Ann Claire Williams, circuit judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Williams is a native Detroiter, a graduate of Wayne State University, and was on President Obama’s short list for the Supreme Court in 2010. A gala follows at 8 p.m. with entertainment by “neo soul” musical artist Eric Roberson, renowned for his smooth sounds. Tickets are $100 for the tribute program, sit-down dinner, live musical entertainment and more. For ticket information, contact B. Brooks at brunishabrooks@yahoo.com or 313/ 506.0650.

“This centennial Founders Day theme speaks to our organization’s rich history, prominent membership and our mission to serve,” said Gray.

Saturday, April 6 – “Passing the Torch and Igniting 100 Ways to Serve” is a full day of activities on the Detroit stop of the international Delta Centennial Torch Tour. The tour began in California during Rose Parade celebrations and will end in Washington, D.C. during the Sorority’s 51st National Convention in July. The lit Olympic-style torch is symbolic of the role Delta Sigma Theta has played in American history - from taking a place in the historic 1913 women’s suffrage march, to participating in the civil rights movement - as well as the organization’s on-going work, delivering hands-on community service.

Detroit, home to one of the largest chapters in the sisterhood, was one of 22 cities selected because it was home to the late Lillian Pierce Benbow, who served as national president of the sorority from 1971 – 75; and for its proximity to Lansing, Mich., home of the late Hortense Golden Canady who served as national president from 1983 – 88.

This tour signifies Delta lighting the way to serve the community - and will include an educational component on the science and engineering of the torch, as a STEM learning project with 500 girls in grades 5-7 at the Detroit International Academy, an all-girls DPS school.

The day’s schedule includes:
  • 5:22 a.m. – Delta-only Sunrise Ceremony, as Deltas gather in downtown Detroit to dedicate the day to serving.
  • 4:22 p.m. – “100 Ways to Serve” campaign launch at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School. Representatives from dozens of non-profits and committed metro Detroiters will join Deltas on a symbolic march and passing of the torch. This tour presentation is the official kick-off of a yearlong, city-wide campaign designed to inspire and promote volunteerism. The campaign encourages metro Detroiters to take a “Pledge to Serve” and provides those who do so with more than 100 selected hands-on service activities of non-profit organizations. To nominate a service opportunity for inclusion, take the Pledge to Serve, or see the listing of available service opportunities, go to www.100waystoserve.org.
  • 6:22 p.m. – Delta-only Sunset Ceremony, as members gather in memory of the two deceased past national presidents from Michigan, Detroiter Lillian Pierce Benbow and Lansing’s Hortense Golden Canady.


April 2013 – Opening of a year-long exhibit of Delta memories and memorabilia, at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. “Celebrating a Century of Sisterhood, Scholarship & Service 1913 – 2013,” will be a curated exhibit of historical, educational and cultural icons and iconic images, documenting 100 years of service to the community.
Ongoing chapter projects and activities include:
Thursday, February 14 – Annual Valentine’s Day “Love our Veterans,” volunteer project to fellowship with and serve meals to veterans. Led by the Homeless and Community Outreach Committee, members donate food and decorations, then help prepare and serve dinner to nearly 150 veterans. It is held at partner agency, Piquette Square for Veterans, 6221 Brush Street in Detroit. Piquette Square houses veterans from ages 26-82 and provides support services and job counseling.

Thursday, February 14 – “Education is a Civil Right,” and so dozens of Deltas from a wide variety of professions will support the career-readiness of Detroit Public School students as they fan out over the city to meet with classes and provide them with information and mentoring. Deltas will read to students, discuss African-American role models and encourage students to apply for the chapter’s scholarships.


Sunday March 10 - Deltas volunteers once again prepare soup and some 1500 sandwiches as they serve lunch to 800 men, women and children, guests of partner agency, Crossroads of Michigan, located at 2424 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Mich. 48208.
Sunday, March 17 – The 31st Annual Delta Art Auction, “Art for the Ages: 100 Years of Scholarship and Service,” which supports artists and promotes art education while raising scholarship dollars. The event is from 3 – 7 p.m. at the DSTDFI Headquarters, 24760 W. Seven Mile Road, Detroit, Mich. 48219. The donation is $30, for more information, go to www.DetroitDeltas.org.
Additional service and community involvement includes:
  • LEAPS: Living Each Day Alert and Physically Sound, health and wellness workshops and exercise activities for members and the public.
  • EMBODI: Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence, mentoring project provides male teens with the speakers, role models and exposures that prepare them to succeed academically and professionally.
  • Delta GEMS mentoring for young ladies, to provide the service learning and other experiences that will encourage them to grow as leaders.
  • Delta Day at the State Capital and Delta Days at the Nation’s Capital, advocacy.
  • Other chapter involvements include: A workshop on human trafficking; collecting cell phones for soldiers; Christmas Angels to provide gifts to underserved children; participation in community events such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March and Relay for Life.


About the Detroit Deltas
Detroit Deltas are college-educated women who are community leaders, serving in a variety of professions, including education, health care and law. Detroit Delta public service activities include providing homeless shelters with meals; awarding more than a half-million dollars in scholarship funds; mentoring youth and volunteering in Detroit Public Schools; presenting workshops on fiscal and physical health; serving veterans; supporting art and artists; and the construction and operation of Delta Manor, a residential facility for seniors. For more information, go to www.DetroitDeltas.org.


About Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
One hundred years ago 22 college women founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Howard University in Washington D.C. Chapters pay tribute to the ideas of the Founders and the mission of the organization by conducting political action, presenting physical and mental health programs, executing educational and economic development programs, and serving internationally.

Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is a public service organization of college educated women with more than 250,000 members in 900 chapters the U.S., and in eight international chapters, committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community.

The major programs of the sorority are based on the organization's Five Point Programmatic Thrust: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health and Political Awareness and Involvement. For more information about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - www.DeltaSigmaTheta.org.