Today kicks of the weekend celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.(DST). Since January 13th, 1913 the woman of this foundation have been pillars of giving, as BCG congratulates DST on their founders day and their centennial celebration, we sign spotlight on how these women give back! The foundation has quite an array of programs serving a variety of causes from youth, education, health and voting rights. Check out the fabulous programs of DST being implemented across the country!
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 Delta chapters to enrich and enhance the education that our young teens receive in public schools across the nation.
Delta Gems
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.
Delta Days in the Nation’s 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 policy makers, members of the United States Congress, Congressional staff members, and national issues experts.
Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence EMBODI
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 will include a program format and information template. The delivery options may include a town hall meeting, workshops, and/or teen leadership summits.
Did you know Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,has a foundation for research and education?
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., established the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (The Delta Foundation), as, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit foundation. The Delta Foundation was designed to help strengthen and expand the charitable, educational, scientific programs of Delta Sigma Theta and other organizations with similar community service goals. For more information on the foundation and how you can support it visist http://www.deltafoundation.net.
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 basis for the development of Financial Fortitude, the current Economic Development Program Initiative of Delta Sigma Theta. 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 Sorority has made available chapter tools for the process, including a Money Smart Adult Education Program and a Money Smart computer -based instruction tool from the FDIC to complement the Financial Fortitude Program.
The Total Woman: Mind, Body and Spirit
As an organization of predominately African American women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is uniquely positioned to impact not only the well-being of its members, but also the well-being of families and communities at large. To facilitate this effort, the Health Task Force was launched to provide concentrated expertise and focus on the Physical and Mental Health aspect of our Five-Point Programmatic Thrust.
The mission of the Health Task Force is to educate and facilitate lifestyle change for the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of sorors and the communities that they serve. Delta has embraced the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign. Heart disease is women’s #1 killer a fact that most women don’t know. The program raises awareness of the risks and causes of heart disease and focuses women on healthier life styles.
Nothing is more precious than the gift of life. And, there is nothing more miraculous than the birthing of a child bringing new life into being. Prenatal care and safe birth deliveries are practices often taken for granted in America. Yet, adequate prenatal and maternity care is seldom experienced by women in our ancestral homeland of Africa. Realizing this critical health issue, in 1955, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority began making plans and laying the groundwork to establish a maternity hospital in the east African country of Kenya. The plans for a facility came to fruition in the early 1960s when Delta made a major donation to help finance the construction of the Thika Maternity Hospital in Thika, Kenya, which is now named Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital. The first hospital to open after Kenya gained its independence, Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital continues to be operated by the missionary sisters of the Holy Rosary.
Impressive right?! Believe it or not we couldn’t list all of the programs and initiatives of DST, we encourage you to visit their website to learn more about the programs and goals of DST; www.deltasigmatheta.org! Congratulations on 99 years of giving to the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. may your giving continue for many years to come.
