A.J. Dugger, The Murfreesboro Post, June 9, 2013
Members of the Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. gather outside of Bradley Academy on Oct. 15, 2012, after a meeting in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Photo submitted)
For many years, the Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has been making positive contributions to Murfreesboro.
In July, the ladies will take their positivity to Washington, D.C., to celebrate the organization’s 51st annual National Convention. The local alumni Delta Sigma Theta chapter was chartered May 4, 1985, at Middle Tennessee State University.
“I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of our sorority,” said Kenya Adams, president of the RCAC of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. “We are an organization of college-educated women committed to constructive development of our members and to public service with a primary focus on the African-American community. The Deltas of Rutherford County are here to carry out that mission in Murfreesboro and the surrounding areas.”
After becoming the president on July 1, 2012, Adams has accomplished a lot with the organization.
“We have done some great things like the Rock the Red Mic Talent Showcase held in October 2012 to spotlight Lupus awareness,” Adams said. “We sold out our annual Christmas Scholarship Ball, and we had a billboard in the heart of Murfreesboro kicking off our centennial year celebration in January 2013.”
The Deltas are renowned for working together to unite people and fight causes, and the current group is just as committed to social action as the original founders were one century ago.
“Last year, we pulled together to assist a family who was in need for Christmas,” said Cynthia Pitts Harris, who serves as the social courtesies chairperson. “The family made a wish list and we got all the items that they needed. That makes you feel good because that’s what we’re about; helping those who are in need. That is what makes the Deltas unique.”
There are plenty of things for the Deltas to look forward to this year.
“Our sorority turned 100 years old on Jan. 13,” Harris said. “We’re also having our 51st National Convention in Washington, D.C., in July. It’s a weeklong event, and it’s going to be huge. One hundred years doesn’t come around a lot, so to take part in that will be a great experience.”
The Deltas remember the deeds of their founding members and continue the legacy.
“One of the first acts of the 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 1913 was to become the only African-American organization to march in the Women’s Suffrage March,” Adams said. “On March 3, 2013, we convened on Washington, D.C., to retrace the footsteps of our founders. In 1913, the Deltas were at the back of the Women’s Suffrage March, but this time we led the way.”
The RCAC has several free programs available.
One is the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, a program that teaches young girls character development, literacy, African-American history, service learning and healthy choices. This program is aimed at girls in the age range from 11 through 14.
Another program is the Dr. Jeanne L. Nobel Delta GEMS Institute, which works with young ladies from the ages of 14 through 18 in community outreach, leadership, image building, public service and dealing with peer pressure.
Every year, a qualified graduating senior African-American female is awarded the Dorothy L. Stevens Scholarship.
Throughout the year, different fundraisers are held to support the scholarship.
The Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence is the collaboration of the Deltas with other established organizations to confront the hardships and needs of African-American men.
The last program is Project ACE, which serves as a gap between the collegiate and alumnae members of the sorority.
RCAC partners with the Iota Tau Chapter at MTSU to work together on community service projects.
The Deltas regularly partner with other groups in the community including Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, NAACP, March of Dimes, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and domestic violence shelters.
June is scheduled to be a hot and exciting month for the chapter.
“On Saturday, June 15 at 9 a.m., we are organizing a community Juneteenth Parade, leaving from Central Magnet School going to Bradley Academy,” Adams said. “It is our hope that all of Murfreesboro comes out to support this moment in American history. This is a day of unity in the community. And the celebration will continue until 4 p.m. at Bradley Academy.”
The following Saturday, June 22, The Deltas will host a Celebration of Champions Brunch at New Vision Church in Murfreesboro.
At the brunch, the organization will honor five men in the community for their work in international awareness and involvement, economic development, educational development, political awareness and involvement, and physical and mental health.
The tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.celebrationofchampions.eventbrite.com.
For more information about the sorority and its upcoming events, visit www.deltasofrutherford.org.