By Christina Smith
Staff Writer
The San Diego Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., along with the Southern California Coordinating Council (SCCC), celebrated the sorority’s 101st Founder’s Day at the Town and Country Hotel in Mission Valley. The SCCC, a council of Delta’s alumnae and collegiate chapters stretching as far as Bakersfield, organizes Founder’s Day Celebrations for Southern California yearly.
The 2014 Founder’s Day Celebration, themed, “The Next 100 Years Reaching New Heights & Taking on New Adventures,” attracted over 800 members who converged upon the city to pay tribute to the organization’s 22 Founders and renew their commitment to the Sorority’s mission. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
The celebration began with a Mexican-themed reception designed to welcome Sorority members to San Diego and allow various community organizations an opportunity to congratulate Delta on 101 years of scholarship, sisterhood, and service. San Diego City Councilwoman Myrtle Cole and State Assemblywoman Shirley Weber were in attendance, along with members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), an organization of Black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities. Lemon Grove Councilwoman Raquel Vasquez could not be in attendance and sent her daughter, Miss Lemon Grove, to give her greetings in her place.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the keynote address of Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, Immediate Past National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Butler-McIntyre served from 2008 to 2013 as the 24th National President of Delta. She spoke to Deltas at a luncheon for Sorority members only. Mona Humphries Bailey, 17th National President, was also in attendance.
Committed to public service, Delta also be collected items for the Salvation Army’s Door of Hope program. The Door of Hope provides housing and treatment for homeless teen mothers and mothers-to-be.
Cleopatra Jones-Patrick was initiated into the San Diego Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority just last year and celebrated her first Founder’s Day as a Delta. For her, SCCC Founder’s Day is a reminder of what the Sorority is all about.
“It is so amazing to be in a room full of educated, driven, talented Black women. Being here, I am reminded of why I wanted to be a Delta and what this all means to me. I am honored that I get to carry on the rich legacy of our Founders,” Jones-Patrick said.
For more information about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. visit www.deltasigmatheta.org.
