The Central Arkansas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. paid homage to the sorority's founders with a luncheon, "102 Years of Scholarship, Sisterhood and Service ... Preserving the Legacy Through Fortitude and Unity." The event took place March 28 in the Harry R. Kendall Science and Health Mission Center, Philander Smith College in Little Rock.
Lottie Shackelford, former Little Rock mayor and longtime vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was the event speaker. She referred to the 22 founders as "troublemakers," "visionaries" and "revolutionaries," citing their early roles as suffragists and civil rights advocates. Naming famous active and honorary Deltas throughout the decades, Shackelford also pointed out that the sorority was the first black Greek organization to be awarded nongovernmental organization status at the United Nations.
"Our founders set the stage ... for social action," she said. "We cannot afford to be the first generation of Deltas to rest on the laurels of our past."
The event also included a welcome by chapter president Adrian Jones; music by vocalist Jasmine Murray and saxophonist Jalen Flood; and remarks by event chairman Melinda Peer.
High Profile on 04/05/2015