Delta Sigma Theta Founders Summary

FOUNDERS OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

  • Osceola Macarthy Adams

    • Born in Albany, Georgia.
    • First president of Lambda Chapter.
    • Served as Grand Treasurer.
    • Directed notable actors and taught drama at Bennett College.

  • Marguerite Young Alexander

    • Born in Chicago, Illinois.
    • Studied foreign languages at Howard University.
    • Assisted Alpha Nu Chapter in acquiring a sorority house.

  • Winona Cargile Alexander

    • Born in Columbus, Georgia.
    • Valued education and became a teacher.
    • First Black social worker for NYC charities.

  • Ethel Cuff Black

    • Originated from Wilmington, Delaware.
    • First vice president of Alpha Chapter.
    • Retired as a social studies teacher.

  • Bertha Pitts Campbell

    • Born in Winfield, Kansas.
    • Valedictorian at Howard; participated in the Women’s Suffrage March.
    • Funded the Bertha Pitts Campbell Scholarship Fund.

  • Zephyr Chisom Carter

    • Born in El Paso, Texas.
    • Active in NAACP; first reporter for Alpha Chapter.

  • Edna Brown Coleman

    • From Washington, D.C.
    • Valedictorian and class president of her Howard class.
    • Key role in founding the Sorority.

  • Jessie McGuire Dent

    • Born in Galveston, Texas.
    • First corresponding secretary; fought for equal wages for Black teachers.

  • Frederica Chase Dodd

    • From Dallas, Texas.
    • First sergeant-at-arms; chartered graduate chapter in Dallas.

  • Myra Davis Hemmings

    • From Gonzales, Texas.
    • Active in Delta’s Golden Anniversary; chartered San Antonio Alumnae Chapter.

  • Olive Claire Jones

    • From Washington, D.C.
    • Became a music teacher after graduation.

  • Jimmie Bugg Middleton

    • From Lynchburg, Virginia.
    • Lobbied for Delta’s participation in the Women’s Suffrage March.

  • Pauline Oberdorfer Minor

    • Born in Charlottesville, Virginia.
    • First treasurer of Alpha Chapter; graduated as valedictorian.

  • Vashti Turley Murphy

    • From Washington, D.C.
    • Early teacher and advocate for voting rights.

  • Naomi Sewell Richardson

    • Last surviving Founder; taught in multiple states.

  • Mamie Reddy Rose

    • From Belton, South Carolina; award-winning dramatic reader.

  • Eliza Pearl Shippen

    • Affiliated with Washington, D.C.; first Founder to earn a doctorate.

  • Florence Letcher Toms

    • From Washington, D.C.; involved in public service and introduced Eleanor Roosevelt.

  • Ethel Carr Watson

    • Born in West Virginia; taught for over 30 years, then became a performer.

  • Wertie Blackwell Weaver

    • From Kansas City, Missouri; published a novel on racism and poverty.

  • Madree Penn White

    • Born in Atchison, Kansas; drafted Sorority's Constitution and designed the pin.

  • Edith Motte Young

    • Native of South Carolina; served as recording secretary of Alpha Chapter.