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 n 1908 at
Howard University, Washington D.C.,
Miss Ethel T.Robinson, then a member of the faculty, formed the upperclassmen
of young women of the school of Liberal Arts, a girls club known as A.K.A.
Sorority. Up until 1912, the club continued to function, and in the fall
of the year, Myra
L. Davis, then a senior was completing her term as president. During
her administration there came a demand from the members of the club that
steps be taken to justify the name "Sorority", for the club had no legal
entity, and, unincorporated as it was, had neither chapter nor power to
form other chapters and function as a real sorority should function.The
need was there. To remedy this defect, a committee on constitution and
organization was formed and Madree Penn, then a junior, named as chairman.The
work of the committee may be grouped as follows:1.Drafted a constitution
and by-laws and urged their adoption. 2.Recommended that the
name A.K.A. be changed to one distinctly
Greek, and suggested the name Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. 3.Brought
in a drawing of new designs for a pin, which was later adopted. 4.Suggested
an initiation ceremonial commensurate with the dignity and traditions of
college women. These changes were made and Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, has the distinction of being the first Sorority composed of colored
women to apply to the Trustees of any University for the right to become
an incorporated body.To summarize, in November, 1912, the above
mentioned constitutional committee was appointed, its report adopted and
application made to the University authoritites for the right to apply
for charter. Charter was granted in January, 1913. In March, 1913, Madree
Penn was elected president. During her administration, Beta Chapter was
formed at Wilberforce University, in Wilberforce, Ohio. This chapter was
set up by Ruby Martin in 1914.One other result attendant on the
formation of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority should, for the sake of clarity,
be mentioned here. It was, in the beginnning intended to make internal
changes only, in the then-existing college club and, after formal chartering,
link up its graduate members. Because of the one dissenting vote on the
part of one of the graduates present at the meeting, this could not be
done.Nellie M. Quander felt that the old name and the old pin should
be retained. So strong was her feeling that she went from the meeting,gathered
together a group of women and applied for a charter for a group to be known
as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. This
was granted, also, in the year of 1913.Thus 1913 is a red letter
year. In it there became the existence of two real Greek letter Sororities.
Both organized at Howard. Both chartered the same year. Both an outgrowth
ofthe college club organized in 1908 by Ethel T. Robinson. The histories
of each are things of which to be proud. Each has fully justified her existence.
Each points with pride to the record of her achievement. Each looks to
brighter future greatness.No history of Delta would be complete
unless some tribute be given to its Founders. |
