On Saturday, June 29, Camden County Commissioner Al Dyer presented a proclamation to the South Jersey Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (DST) in celebration of its 55th anniversary.
The event took place at Paris Caterers located at 281 Cross Keys Road, Berlin.
“This organization has a rich history and a bright future that deserves to be celebrated,” Dyer said. “Delta Sigma Theta has served as a symbol of community service and academic excellence for decades, and I am excited to see what this chapter goes on to accomplish in the next 55 years.”
Founded in January 1913 by 22 Black college women at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has grown to become the largest African American women’s organization in the world. With over 350,000 initiated members and more than 1,000 chapters worldwide, DST continues to uphold its founding principles of sisterhood, scholarship, and service, addressing critical social issues through various programs and initiatives.
Delta Sigma Theta’s mission is to support local communities through programs focused on economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement. The sorority’s commitment to these pillars has made a significant impact on countless communities across the globe.
The South Jersey Chapter of DST was founded on June 29, 1969, in Camden, and has since grown to a membership of more than 155 women. Over the past 55 years, the chapter has been instrumental in implementing community service projects, educational programs, and health initiatives that have benefitted the local community and beyond.
DST’s illustrious history is marked by the contributions of its founders, including Bertha Pitts Campbell, Frederica Chase Dodd, Olive C. Jones, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, and Naomi Sewell Richardson. These pioneering women laid the foundation for an organization that continues to inspire and empower African American women to this day.
With chapters in the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, West Africa, and Southern Africa, Delta Sigma Theta’s influence is truly global. The sorority’s membership intake process is designed to select women who meet and exceed the organization’s high standards and who are committed to upholding its moral values.
As the South Jersey Chapter celebrated its 55th anniversary, members and supporters reflect on the chapter’s many accomplishments and the positive impact it has had on the community. The celebration at Paris Caterers not only honored the chapter’s past achievements but also looked forward to the future, as the chapter continues to grow and serve.
