Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Study Notes

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated - The Pyramid Study Guide

Founders Overview

  • Purpose of the Document: This study guide provides information on the founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, detailing their backgrounds, contributions, and significance to the organization.
Olive Claire Jones
  • Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
  • Role: Constant supporter of the Sorority's efforts.
  • Career: Became a music teacher in the Washington, D.C. public school system after graduation.
Jimmie Bugg Middleton
  • Birthplace: Lynchburg, Virginia.
  • Contributions:
    • Helped lobby Delta Sigma Theta to participate in the march for Women's Suffrage.
    • Held a master's degree from Howard University (1936).
    • Served as Dean of Girls at the Black High School in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Pauline Oberdorfer Minor
  • Birthplace: Charlottesville, Virginia.
  • Background: A talented musician and academic.
  • Positions:
    • First treasurer of the Alpha Chapter.
    • Graduated as valedictorian of the Teacher's College in 1914.
  • Teaching Career: Taught school in Alabama, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
  • Musical Contributions:
    • Known as a soprano soloist.
    • Authored a book of hymns titled "Get Off the Judgment Seat."
Vashti Turley Murphy
  • Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
  • Education:
    • Graduated from M Street High School (later known as Dunbar High School), the first public high school for Blacks in the U.S.
    • Attended the Minor Normal School associated with Howard University.
  • Career:
    • Appointed to teach in Washington public schools in 1908.
  • Advocacy:
    • Actively supported voting rights for women.
  • Family Legacy:
    • Mother of five daughters, four of whom became members of the Sorority.
    • Granddaughter: Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, currently serves as National Chaplain of the Sorority.

Additional Founders Considered

Osceola Macarthy Adams
  • Birthplace: Albany, Georgia.
  • Leadership Role:
    • Played a key role in the founding of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
    • First president of Lambda Chapter in Chicago, Illinois.
    • Served as Grand Treasurer of the national organization.
  • Career in Arts:
    • Directed the debut performances of actors Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier.
    • Taught drama at Bennett College and served at the Harlem School of the Arts.
  • Marriage:
    • Married Numa Adams, Dean of Medicine at Howard University.
Marguerite Young Alexander
  • Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois.
  • Education: Studied foreign languages at Howard University.
  • Career:
    • Became a secretary focusing on French and Spanish correspondence after graduation.
    • Contributed to the purchase of a sorority house for Alpha Nu Chapter at the University of Illinois in 1950.
Winona Cargile Alexander
  • Birthplace: Columbus, Georgia.
  • Values:
    • Valued education and community service.
  • Career:
    • Became a teacher after graduating with honors.
    • First Black social worker for New York City and County Charities.
    • Served as Alpha Chapter's first custodian.
Ethel Cuff Black
  • Birthplace: Wilmington, Delaware.
  • Positions:
    • First vice president of Alpha Chapter.
  • Career:
    • Became a social studies teacher and retired from the New York City public school system.
    • Active in civic and community organizations as a charter member of Queens Alumnae Chapter.
Bertha Pitts Campbell
  • Birthplace: Winfield, Kansas; raised in Montrose, Colorado.
  • Education:
    • Valedictorian of her high school class (1908) and later attended Howard University.
  • Suffrage March Participation:
    • Participated in the Woman's Suffrage March on March 3, 1913, marking Delta's first public act.
    • Repeated the march in 1981 at age 92, leading 10,000 sorors down Pennsylvania Avenue.
  • Legacy:
    • Contributed $6,000 to establish the Bertha Pitts Campbell Scholarship Fund.
Zephyr Chisom Carter
  • Birthplace: El Paso, Texas.
  • Involvement:
    • Active during her years at Howard University in the collegiate chapter of the NAACP.
  • Career:
    • Became Alpha Chapter's first reporter; also recognized as a singer and actress.
Edna Brown Coleman
  • Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
  • Family Background:
    • Father was a professor at Howard University for 31 years.
  • Role in Delta:
    • Hosted many of Delta Sigma Theta's first meetings in her home.
    • Graduated from Howard University in 1913 as valedictorian and class president.
Jessie McGuire Dent
  • Birthplace: Galveston, Texas.
  • Roles:
    • First corresponding secretary of Alpha Chapter.
    • Legal battle for equal wages for Black teachers in Galveston.
    • Portrait displayed in the Texas Cultural Archives posthumously.
Frederica Chase Dodd
  • Birthplace: Dallas, Texas.
  • Roles:
    • First sergeant-at-arms of Alpha Chapter.
    • Brief teaching career followed by social work.
    • Instrumental in establishing the Dallas Alumnae Chapter and a YWCA for Black women.
  • Education: Attended graduate school at Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University).
Myra Davis Hemmings
  • Birthplace: Gonzales, Texas.
  • Contributions:
    • Served as president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.
    • Charter member of the San Antonio Alumnae Chapter; co-chairman of the 19th National Convention.
    • Played a key role in organizing Delta's Golden Anniversary Celebration in 1963, addressed by President John F. Kennedy.
    • Held many positions in the sorority with a focus on leadership and womanhood.