22 Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated

Osceola Macarthy Adams

Born in Albany Georgia

She taught drama at Bennett College and served as Directress of the Harlem school of Arts.

Marguerite Young Alexander

Born in Chicago, IL

She was a constant supporter of Alpha Chapter

Winona Cargile Alexander

Became the First Black Social Worker for the New York City and County Charities

And was Alpha Chapter's first custodian

Ethel Cuff Black

-Served as the first vice president of Alpha Chapter

-A charter member of Queens (NY) Alumnae Chapter

-First black teacher in Richmond County, New York

Bertha Pitts Campbell

-was born in Winfield, Kansas.

-On March 13, 1913, she participated in the march on Washington, Delta's first public act as a sorority.

-68 years later, she repeated this momentous walk on August 2, 1981.

Zephyr Chisom Carter

-Founder Ms. Carter was a very gifted woman who was not only a singer, but an actress as well. For several years she harnessed her vocal powers and sang for television shows.

Edna Brown Coleman

Graduated from Howard in 1913 as class

and valedictorian

She married a founder of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Jessie McGuire Dent

-Was first corresponding secretary of Alpha chapter

-She became a teacher in the Galveston School District

-was instrumental in integrating schools

Frederica Chase Dodd

-First Sergeant-at-Arms of the Alpha Chapter

-She helped charter the graduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in Dallas Texas.

-The Eta Beta chapter which was changed to the Dallas Alumnae Chapter in 1960 became the first Greek-letter organization in the City.

Myra Davis Hemmings

-She served as First President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

-She was an active member of the NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women.

Olive Claire Jones

Founder Olive Jones became a music teacher in the Washington, DC public school system

Jimmie Bugg Middleton

She helped lobby Delta Sigma Theta to participate in the March for Women's Suffrage.

Pauline Oberdorfer Minor

-she was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, was an excellent musician.

-In 1914, she graduated valedictorian of the Teacher's College.

Vashti Turley Murphy

-From Washington, DC, graduated from M Street High School, later known as Dunbar High School

-This was the first public high school for Blacks in the United States

Naomi Sewell Richardson

-was the Last surviving founder when she died in 1993 in Washingtonville, NY.

-She married Clarence W Richardson a Howard University Graduate a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

-She was the first Black graduate of Washingtonville High School; married a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Mamie Reddy Rose

Was from the small town of Belton, South Carolina

Eliza Pearl Shippen

-Founder Eliza Pearl Shippen was the only founder to receive a doctorate degree and was one of two founders who never married.

Florence Letcher Toms

President William Howard Taft presented her with her diploma and scholarship to Howard University.

-She introduced First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to an audience of parents at John Wesley AME Zion Church in 1945.

-Founder Florence Letcher Toms Collected elephants

Ethel Carr Watson

She became a teacher with a career that covered more than thirty years. Following her retirement, she began a second career as a dramatic performer

Wertie Blackwell Weaver

She published a novel entitled "The Valley of the Poor." Her book focused on racism and poverty in the South.

Madree Penn White

-Founder Madree Penn White drafted the initial Constitution and Bylaws.

-she also designed the ceremony for inducting Honorary members.

-Founder Madree Penn White set in motion the mechanism for creating other chapters.

-she designed the sorority pin and served as the second president of the Alpha Chapter and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority I. 1913-1919

Edith Motte Young

She taught at Claflin College in Orangeburg , SC