A Resolution Honoring 100th Anniversary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
ADOPTED BY The City Council ofthe City of Chicago, Illinois
Presented by Alderman Emma Mitts on March 13, 2013
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the single largest African-American women's organization in the country, will celebrate its 100-year anniversary beginning Jan. 1, 2013 and continue throughout the remainder of the year; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University, in Washington, D.C., one ofthe nation's historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's). The mission ofthe sorority is to promote academic excellence; to provide scholarships; to provide support to the underserved; educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy; and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Several centennial events have been scheduled across the country to commemorate the Sorority's founding on Jan. 13, 1913; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in Chicago on March 23, 2013, with a "Centennial Torch Ceremony and March, with over 1,000 members and community leaders who have partnered with their vision; and
WHEREAS, These centennial events will allow more than 250,000 initiated members, representing over 900 chapters in the United States, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, the Republic .of Korea and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to observe the Sorority's Centennial year; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed sorority, under the leadership of National President, Cynthia M. A. Butler-Mclntyre, for the past five years, has operated under the theme, "Delta Sigma Theta - A Sisterhood Called to Serve: Transforming Lives, Impacting Communities." Since its inception 100 years ago, the public service organization has promoted academic excellence in education; community service; and participation in political and legislative processes; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. have been and remain a vital contributor to the success of many local communities and a defender of rights of all people throughout Chicago, State of Illinois, the United States and internationally for 100 years; and
1
WHEREAS, In addition, during this august centennial year they will strive to honor the rich legacy of their original 22 Founders, celebrate the inheritance they generously placed in their hands, and humbly take up the 'Delta Torch' lit by these strong women to carry and pass on to the next generation of leaders; and
WHEREAS, This Centennial 100th Anniversary celebration also recently included a historic reenactment ofthe Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s Founders participation as the only African-American organization in the Women's Suffrage March on March 3, 1913 - which was the first public service act of the Sorority; and
WHEREAS, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement to create its national programs; and
WHEREAS, During this Centennial year, the 100-year-old Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. public service organization will also continue its legacy of promoting social, community and political awareness and involvement through education, advocacy for expanded economic development, health care reform and equal educational opportunities; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this thirteenth day of March, 2013, do hereby applaud the exceptional efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on the behalf of the citizens of Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be prepared and presented to the local Chicago Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as a sign of our congratulations and good wishes during their 100th Anniversary Centennial year.
2
Emma Mitts, Alderman - 37th Ward