History

The Tucson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was chartered on June 24, 1967. The chartering ceremony was officiated by the sorority’s 17th National President, Mona H. Bailey, who was Farwest Regional Director at the time.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a public-service organization that was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, by 22 young women matriculating at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Today’s membership is more than 250,000 women throughout the United States, Africa, Europe, Japan, Korea and the Caribbean. The sorority’s Five-Point Program of public service emphasizes economic development; educational development; international awareness and involvement; physical and mental health; and political awareness and involvement.

Tucson Alumnae Chapter was chartered with 14 members: Everlyn Franks,* Gladys Ford Ahmad, Joyce Holsey,* Beverly Middleton Johnson, Anita Lipscombe,* Daisy Lipscombe,* Shirley McPherson,* Yvonne Hill Payton, Ann T. Perry,* Martha Preston, Maxine H. Taylor, Mauvolene F. Thomas, Willie Thompson* and Tonie Jo Anderson Warrior Brown*.

Mauvolene F. Thomas is credited with leading the effort to charter a Delta chapter in Tucson; she led the effort with assistance from members of Beta Theta Chapter, now named Phoenix Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter. Thomas worked diligently for two years, canvassing the community for Deltas and recruiting women in Tucson who met the requirements for alumnae membership. In 1975, members of Tucson Alumnae sponsored the establishment of the sorority’s Mu Eta Chapter on the campus of the University of Arizona; Homoiselle Davis, past Farwest Regional Director, conducted the chartering ceremony.

Tucson Alumnae’s commitment to community service has been demonstrated through support of organizations such as The Dunbar Project; the YWCA’s Your Sister’s Closet program; Tucson Community Food Bank; the Tucson Urban League; the Tucson Branch of the NAACP; the United Negro College Fund; Casa de los Ninos; the Educational Enrichment Foundation; Arizona Daily Star’s Send-A-Kid-To-Camp program; the Tucson Unified School District Clothing Bank; Habitat for Humanity Tucson; Tucson Blast Soccer Club; and others.

The chapter’s commitment to public service is demonstrated through its annual Betty Brown Scholarship Program for graduating high school seniors, through which approximately $100,000 has been awarded; and Delta Academy and Delta GEMS, mentor programs for girls between the ages of 11 and 18 years that are designed to instill in students the importance of education and academic excellence. Through Delta Academy, chapter members work with girls ages 11-14 during the school year to involve them in service learning and community service opportunities. Delta GEMS: Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully, for young ladies between the ages of 14 and 18, is designed to help them develop into strong, confident and respectful individuals while preparing them to take active roles in their communities. Tucson Alumnae started its Delta GEMS program in October 2006.

For many years Tucson Alumnae Chapter presented a Jabberwock as its major fundraiser. In 1977 the chapter began sponsoring the Ebony Fashion Fair in Tucson as its annual fundraiser. In 2010 the chapter launched a new fundraiser, the Women of Spirit Awards. The award will be presented to Southern Arizona women nominated by their houses of worship for their contributions to their churches and communities. The first Women of Spirit Awards Luncheon will be Sunday, April 25, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., Tucson, AZ. 

Since it was chartered, Tucson Alumnae Chapter has contributed approximately $250,000 to Tucson’s nonprofit organizations, community programs, and individuals in need.

*Deceased