Zeta Mu sorors Founded on Jan. 13, 1913, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s 22 founders meeting on the campus of Howard University sought to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to persons in need. One hundred years later, Delta Sigma Theta, the world's largest organization of predominately African American college educated women, continues the mission started by its founders. Delta Sigma Theta has over 250,000 members worldwide including over 300 members in five Cincinnati Area Chapters.

Zeta Chapter, the first of the five local chapters, was chartered in 1920 at the University of Cincinnati. It was followed by Cincinnati Alumnae Chapter chartered in 1959, Zeta Mu Chapter chartered in 1969 at Miami University, Cincinnati Queen City Alumnae Chapter chartered in 1989, and Rho Xi Chapter chartered in 1992 at Xavier University.

Chapter Presidents, Tina Welch, Cincinnati Alumnae, Chandra Mathews-Smith, Cincinnati-Queen City Alumnae, Aeria Crowder, Zeta, Mariah deWeaver, Rho Xi, and Shkirra Wright, Zeta Mu, call on all Cincinnati area Deltas to participate in planned activities that highlight the sorority’s commitment to Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service.

Zeta Chapter members The Sorority’s milestone anniversary will be commemorated locally with a series of events starting on Founders Day, Jan. 13 with worship at Zion Baptist Church at 10:15 AM, the home church of the late Ms. Ida Mae Rhodes, charter member and first president of Zeta Chapter, credited with establishing the first Black fraternal organization on the campus of the University of Cincinnati.

The celebration continues with a weekend of activities, Jan. 18 to Jan. 21. Events include a Delta Round-up and Happy Hour at Bentley’s on Friday, Jan. 18, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; a day of public service on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Matthew 25 Ministries and the Freestore Food Bank starting at 9 a. m.; a Rededication Ceremony and Reception for members only at St. Matthias Catholic Church on Sunday, Jan. 20, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and the Martin Luther King Day March on Monday, Jan. 21, at 10:30 a.m. For more information refer to the Cincinnati Alumnae Chapter website at www.cacdst.org, email dst_cincinnati_ alumnae@yahoo.com or call 513-852-0424.

Founding members of the sorority assist in voter registration last fall. The Sorority uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement to implement its national and local programs.

Cincinnati Area Chapters have provided impactful programming to the greater Cincinnati Community since 1920 and their record of sisterhood, scholarship and service has withstood the test of time. Local programming include: Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy targeted to girls ages 11 to 14 with a focus on Math, Science and Technology; Delta Growing & Empowering Myself Successfully (GEMS) which promotes academic excellence and life skills for girls ages 15 to 18; Debutante Cotillion which provides educational and personal development for Afri- can American high school junior and senior females; the Beautillion Militaire which promotes edu cational and personal development of African American, high school junior and senior males; a College Prep Workshop which provides tips on applying for college and fi- nancial aid, as well as programs on health-related topics such as Domestic Violence Awareness and HIV / AIDS Awareness. In addition to programming, the local chapters have awarded over $600,000 in scholarships to deserving youth in the Cincinnati Community.

On a national level, the Soror- ity marked the 100-yearanniversary of its founding by being the first African American women’s organization to have a float in the historic Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade. The day’s activities culminated with the launch of a Centennial Torch that was carried to 22 cities in honor of the sorority’s Founders and in commemoration of its yearlong Centennial Celebration. The torch’s journey will end in Washington, D.C., the birthplace of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Today, the Sorority has more than 250,000 members and nearly 1,000 chapters worldwide.