100-Year-Old African American Sorority Leaves Its Mark

February 22,2013

February is Black History Month in the United States. It draws attention and pays tribute to people, organizations and events that have shaped the history of African Americans and their contributions to American society. Delta Sigma Theta, a black women's organization, fought for civil rights and made a difference in the lives of many for over a century.

Members of Delta Sigma Theta sorority share a speical bond. For more than 100 years, the largest African-American sorority has stood the test of time. Aaro Jean Bell Reid - wearing the sorority's crimson and white colors - joined 11 years ago.

"It is about the cohesiveness of the sisterhood. It's about the shared desire for service and the commitment to service," said Reid.

Delta Sigma Theta was founded in 1913 by 22 women at Howard University in Washington. The sorority of college-educated women pledged to perform public service in the black community.

Gwendolyn Boyd heads the group's centennial celebrations. She says that, nearly six weeks after its founding, Delta Sigma Theta members took part in the historic Women's Suffrage March in Washington.

"Our founders were the only African-Americans in the suffrage march, and they did that marching for the rights of women to vote even before African-Americans had the right to vote. But they were visionary women knowing that, if they participated in that movement, that eventually that the rights for African-Americans would come," said Boyd.