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 10: Restricted- closed to the public, 1993-2011: This box contains originals to redacted copies contained in the collection.