National economic trends, such as unstable employment, the threat to Social Security and the widening gap between wealth and poverty are the bases for the development of Financial Fortitude, the current Economic Development Program Initiative of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Financial Fortitude helps program participants set and define goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and to put the plan into action. The process serves as a blueprint to address all aspects of personal finances.

Kalamazoo Alumnae’s Economic Development Committee programs are focused on financial empowerment through outreach and the development of economic initiatives that emphasize attaining and sustaining financial health. With a commitment to our signature program, Financial Fortitude, we specifically seek to improve the economic well- being of our members and the communities we serve.

Our ongoing commitment to economic development programming in the community may include:

• Training on financial management
• Protecting against senior economic fraud
• Focusing on women and finances
• Sponsoring events that showcase the financial resources available in the community
• Promoting sound financial health by initiating community debt reduction and savings challenges

DST High School Senior Scholarship

The Kalamazoo Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is awarding scholarships to graduating senior students in May of 2022. The recipient must meet the following requirements:

• An African-American male or female student
• A high school senior (public or private)
• Accepted to attend a two or four-year accredited college or university
• Have a GPA of 2.75 or better
• Attend school in surrounding Kalamazoo area
• Parent and/or legal guardian must not be a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Applicants need to complete and forward the following information: the application; a letter of reference; a copy of the school transcript; a list of courses the student is currently taking; documentation from the counselor of what further credits are needed to complete graduation requirements and a copy of a letter of acceptance from a college or university. Applicants meeting the above criteria will be contacted for an interview.

All forms must be completed and received at a time to be announced.

Kalamazoo Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Scholarship Committee
Attn: Scholarship Committee Chair
P.O. Box 20083
Kalamazoo, MI 49019

A natural outgrowth and expansion for the continuation of the highly successful Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy: Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Delta GEMS was created to catch the dreams of African-American at-risk, adolescent girls aged 14-18. Delta GEMS provides the framework to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a CAN DO attitude. The goals for Delta GEMS are:

• To instill the need to excel academically;
• To provide tools that enable girls to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success;
• To assist girls in proper goal setting and planning for their futures in high school and beyond; and
• To create compassionate, caring, and community-minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.

The Delta GEMS program offers a road map for college and career planning through activities that provide opportunities for self-reflection and individual growth. Delta GEMS, like Delta Academy, is implemented by chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Delta GEMS participants have the opportunity to define and “Discover their individual Brilliance.”

Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital (formerly Thika Memorial Hospital)

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. began making plans and laying the groundwork to establish a maternity hospital in the African country of Kenya in 1955. In the early 1960s Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. made a major donation to help finance the construction of the Thika Maternity Hospital in Thika, Kenya.

It provides affordable prenatal and postnatal care, nutritional education, child immunization, and family planning. The hospital gives prenatal care, including lab work, blood tests, and examinations to more than 200 women daily. The facility also has a special care nursery for babies after delivery. The hospital also serves as an educational institution for nurses and midwives.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Elementary School (Chérette, Haiti)

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in collaboration with Water in Education International opened the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Elementary School, The Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre Campus in Chérette, Haiti June 15, 2013. The Water and Education International Student Collaboration for Haiti Outreach Opportunities for Learning (WEI SCHOOL) Project was established to provide an adequate school facility to include clean water for school children in Haiti. It is the first of many initiatives to alleviate some of the challenges in obtaining a quality education in Haiti. The remote village of Chérette is located 96 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince.

Delta House (Mbabane, Swaziland)

Dedicated in 2002, the Delta House is a home for children who became orphans due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It is located in what is now known as Vashti Village, in Mbabane, Swaziland along with two similar structures. Built to accommodate 12 children and a housemother, the home was made possible with funds contributed by Delta sorors at the 45th and 46th National Conventions held in Chicago (2000) and Atlanta (2002). Situated in a picturesque valley, an expansive vegetable garden flourishes behind the Delta House where residents (most of whom are adolescents) grow some of their own food. The village is still a work in progress with an office complex, conference center, church and apartments envisioned for the future.

Delta Days in the Nations Capital

In 1989, the National Social Action Commission instituted Delta Days in the Nation's Capital, an annual legislative conference to increase members' involvement in the national public policy-making process. The annual conference includes legislative briefings, issue forums, and advocacy skills development. Featured speakers include key policy makers, members of the United States Congress, Congressional staff members, and national issues experts. The activities of Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital are briefings on legislative issues which impact the African-American community; skill development sessions such as “How to Advocate Effectively,” “Understanding the Role of Congressional Staffers,” How to Monitor and Track Legislation;” and legislative visits to members of Congress. The participants, who come from all geographical areas of the country, also have opportunities to observe the legislators in session, participate in Senate Press Tours and White House briefings. Members of Delta and others with expertise on various issues conduct the skills development and discussion sessions. In addition, the members also participates in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Town Hall Meetings, and conducts Delta Days at the State Capitol, Delta Days at City Hall, and Delta Days at the School Board.

Delta Day at the United Nations

After completing an extensive application and review process which began in the late 1990’s during the tenure of Past National President Marcia L. Fudge, in March 2003, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. became a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) at the United Nations. In a presentation by Hanifa Mezoui, Chief NGO Section, Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN (ECOSOC), Past National President Gwendolyn Boyd (who served as National President during this time) accepted the credentials on behalf of the sorority, before 150 members of the organization from across the country. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was welcomed to the United Nations by Assistant Secretary General for External Affairs, Gillian Sorensen, who asked the sorority in her keynote address to, "use your NGO status to monitor the status of women and children in the world and bind together with other NGOs to insure that the UN honors its commitments." Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was granted Special Consultative Status as an NGO to the Economic and Social Council of the UN as a result of its volunteer services and humanitarian efforts performed to address issues throughout the world.

Special Consultative Status as an NGO allows the organization to provide analysis and expertise in monitoring and implementing international agreements on issues of mutual concern. As an NGO, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has the opportunity to gain access to and disseminate information concerning a range of issues on women and children in which the United Nations is involved. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. representatives attend regular briefings and disseminate information on UN activities to its members and the community at large.

Delta Day at the United Nations is held annually

Social Action

In March of 1913, nearly six weeks after its founding, several Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Founders marched in the historic Suffragist March under the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Banner, the Sorority's first public act. Today, low voter turnout statistics highlight the need to continue to identify ways to include opportunities for all citizens to exercise their voting power. Each of Delta’s programmatic initiatives has an advocacy component that is implemented under the auspices of social action when it is appropriate or necessary to do so.

Under the auspices of the National Social Action Commission, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. continues to institute activities that foster:

• Sponsoring Voter Registration and voter education programs
• Combating Voter Suppression
• The full restoration of voting rights for individuals who have paid their debt to society (ex-offenders)
• Affordable Health Care and access to quality health care
• Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment
• Support for HBCU’s
• Political Awareness and Involvement
• Gender Equality
• Racial Profiling

Healthy Lifestyle: Total Woman: Mind, Body, and Spirit

As an organization of predominantly African American women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is uniquely positioned to impact not only the well-being of its membership, but also the families and communities we serve. Journey to Wellness: Committing our Bodies to Physical and Mental Health is now the signature Physical and Mental Health call to action. The initiative addresses the challenges of living holistic and healthy lives. The three-pronged approach to Journey to Wellness includes: signature programs, Catching, coping, Conquering; My Cry in the Dark; and Healthy Lifestyles. Members have actively engaged in physical fitness and are taking an active interest in the welfare of their health.