Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter Records, 1940-2021 | Sargeant Memorial Collection

By Lee Furr

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Collection Overview

Title: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter Records, 1940-2021

Predominant Dates:1993-2014

ID: 001/01/MSS 2017-023

Primary Creator: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter

Extent: 12.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Arranged by topic.

Date Acquired: 04/10/2017

Subjects: African American women, African American women--Societies and clubs, African American women college students, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, Greek letter societies, Norfolk (Va.)--History, Norfolk (Va.)--Social life and customs--20th century, Norfolk (Va.)--Social life and customs--21st century, Organizations, Women--Socialization, Women--Societies and clubs

Forms of Material: Awards, Biographies (documents), Bylaws (administrative records), Clippings (information artifacts), Fliers (printed matter), Handbooks, Minutes (administrative records), Newsletters, Pamphlets, Photographs, Plaques (flat objects), Publications (document genre)

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection consists of the organizational records of the Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and documents the chapter's outreach efforts, activities, and achievements. Committees include: Arts and Letters, Delta Academy, Habitat for Humanity, Hospitality, Life Development, May Week, Pan Hellenic, Policies and Procedures, Program, Project, Scholarship, Social, and Social Action. The collection includes committee reports, meeting minutes, correspondence, constitution and bylaws, policies and procedures, guidelines, handbooks, bio-sketches, newsletters, news-clippings, awards, outreach efforts, program development, documents covering events and scholarships, pamphlets, publications, and photographs.

Most of the records span between the 1990s-2014; however, some documents date back to the 1940s. Among the events represented are May Week, the chapter's 85th Anniversary, cultural performances, forums, tributes, and various social activities.

Biographical Note

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority officially began in January 1913 when twenty-two African-American female college students from Howard University in Washington, D.C. founded the private, not-for-profit organization. Their mission was to create a sisterhood of African-American female college graduates who encouraged academic excellence, promoted community development, and sponsored those in need primarily within the African-American community. Mu Sigma Chapter, chartered in September 1929 in Norfolk, Virginia, was the first chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to be formed in the state of Virginia. Mu Sigma Chapter consisted of eleven members from Norfolk, Hampton, and Newport News in Virginia and Elizabeth City in North Carolina. In response to a growing number of sorority members in the Tidewater area during the 1940s, the chapter was reorganized to consist of only Delta members from Norfolk, and thus changed its name to the Norfolk Alumnae Chapter.

Subject/Index Terms

African American women
African American women--Societies and clubs
African American women college students
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter
Greek letter societies
Norfolk (Va.)--History
Norfolk (Va.)--Social life and customs--20th century
Norfolk (Va.)--Social life and customs--21st century
Organizations
Women--Socialization
Women--Societies and clubs

Administrative Information

Repository: Sargeant Memorial Collection

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to all researchers. Some materials may be restricted due to privacy concerns.

Use Restrictions: The status of copyright for these materials is governed by Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. C.). Copyright restrictions may apply.

Acquisition Source: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter by donation

Preferred Citation: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter Records, MSS 2017-023, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

Processing Information: Processed September 2018.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Executive Board Meetings, 1988-2008],
[Box 2: Executive Board Meetings, 2009-2012, 2001-2003, 2007-2009],
[Box 3: Chapter Meetings, 1987-2008],
[Box 4: Chapter Meetings, 2009-2012],
[Box 5: Administrative- Conventions, 1963-2016],
[Box 6: Deceased Sorors- Virginia State Clusters, 1940-2018],
[Box 7: Photographs, Anniversary - Community Action Forum, 1983-2015],
[Box 8: Photographs, Community Outreach - Mildred Dudley Peters, 1988-2013],
[Box 9: Plaques and Artifacts, 1929-2020],
[Box 10: Restricted- closed to the public, 1993-2011],
[Box 11: Miscellaneous Materials, circa 1960s-2021],
[Box 12: Miscellaneous Materials, circa 1960s-2021],
[Box 13: Miscellaneous Materials, circa 1983-2022],
[Box 14: Photographs, 1980s-1990s],
[Box 15: Oversized Materials, 2006],
[All]

Box 9: Plaques and Artifacts, 1929-2020

Norfolk Alumnae 1929, letter opener.

NRHA & NRO, 5^th Annual Volunteer Recognition, School-Community Link Award Presented to Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 1997 April 9.

Sincere Sisterhood and Stellar Service Award Presented to Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, Norfolk, Virginia Convention 2000, Sisterhood Luncheon, South Atlantic Region, Chicago Convention Center, McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois. Mary Bennett Sutton, Director; Stacy Fay, President Representative.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority National Membership Services, Regional Scrapbook Contest Award, Norfolk, Alumnae 3^rd Place, Gwendolyn E. Boyd, President 2003 August.

Congratulations to A South Atlantic Star of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., 2003-2005, Yvette G. Robinson, Regional Director, Taineisha C. Sledge, Regional Representative.

South Hampton Roads Pan Hellenic Council Bowling Tournament, 2004 May 22, 1^st Place Sorority.

South Hampton Roads Pan-Hellenic Council Bowling Tournament, 2005 May 21, 1^st Place Sorority.

Delta Website Award, Regional Winner, Presented to Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, South Atlantic Regional Conference, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 2005 June 9-12.

SHARPC Bowling Tournament, 1^st Place Sorority, 2006 May 20.

SHARPPC, Bowling Tournament 2009 Sorority, 1^st Place.

SHARPC Bowling Tournament Sorority, 2^nd Place, undated.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Linda Wilson, Regional Director, Tarryn Simmons, Regional Representative, 2009 Spring State Meeting Hosted by Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, “Thank you for your dedication and support” 24^th South Atlantic Regional Conference, Hampton, Virginia, 2009 August 6-9.

South Atlantic Region. Linda Wilson, Regional Director, Tarryn Simons, Regional Representative, Presented to Norfolk Alumnae Chapter for Exemplary Achievement in “Arts and Letters”, 24^th South Atlantic Regional Conference, Hampton, Virginia, 2009 August 6-9.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Linda Wilson, Regional Director and Amanda Wise, Regional Representative, 2010 Virginia Founder’s Day Hosted by Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, “Thank you for Your Leadership and Service” 50^th National Covention, New Orleans, LA 2010 July 29- August 4.

Presented to : Delta Sigma Theta Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, “ A Hope 4 Tomorrow, Inc., Women of Praise, 2015 December 15, Jonathan Spain, CEO.

Pin, heart-shaped, Delta Sigma Theta, undated.

Pin, elephant-shaped, Delta Sigma Theta, undated.

Pin, wood, Delta Sigma Theta, undated (actual metal pin on back is missing).

Pin, 50+ A Life-Time Commitment, undated.

Pin, Gloria Tolentino, Norfolk Alumnae, Delta Sigma Theta, undated.

Pin, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, Celebrating 75 Years of Treasured Memories, 1929-2004, 2004.

Marble plaque, Delta Sigma Theta, South Atlantic Regional Conference, May 19-21, 1989, Norfolk, Virginia, John E. Ackiss Plaques and Engraving, 1989.

Trophy, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, NPL Summer 2018 Volunteer Award, 2018.

SHARPC Bowling Tournament, Sorority, 1^st Place, 2018.

SHARPC Bowling Tournament, 1^st Place Sorority, 2019.

Glass coasters, 90^th Anniversary, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, September 21, 2019 (2 coasters).

3 pens with pen stands, 90^th Anniversary, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, September 21, 2019.

Guestbooks, 90^th Anniversary, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, September 21, 2019 (3 guestbooks).

Photo Album, 90th Anniversary, Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, September 21, 2019.

11 framed photocopied prints of Mu Sigma Charter Members: Clyde M. Boone, Nellie K. Boykin, Marian P. Capps, Clara P. Clark, Jennie Dudley, Florence B. Duke, Christine J. Haynes, Nellie H. Joyner, Louise C. Mitchell, Ethel E. Pannell, and Inez F. Scott, circa 2020.