Programs
Educational Development:
Academic Awards
Members of the chapter are dedicated to educational and economic development, physical and mental health and political and international awareness/involvement. In order to foster educational development, academic awards are presented annually to African American students or students of African descent residing in Pasadena, Altadena or
Reading Is Fundamental
The Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is a program geared toward second grade students to help promote an interest and enthusiasm in reading. Delta Chapter members currently read to students at Jackson Elementary School once a month during the months of March, April and May. During the visit each students is given a book to begin building their personal library collection at home.
Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta GEMS Program
Delta Academy I is geared toward girls in grades six, seven and eight to address the need of excellence in education and encourage relationships with their peers and with Delta Sigma Theta Chapter members that volunteer their time and efforts to this successful program. These girls are provided with an opportunity to participate in a science, math, and technology seminar on a monthly basis along with being presented with information about community service and self-esteem. These young ladies have an opportunity to participate in the Pasadena Unified School District annual Science Day and participate in the Young African American Women’s Conference. (Pasadena Playhouse, Youth State)
Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy Program
Delta Academy II is geared toward girls in grades nine, ten, eleven, and twelve to develop their leadership skills through programs that provide the fundamentals skills necessary to become active participants in society. Specifically, we augment their scholarship in math, science, and technology, their opportunities to provide service in the form of leadership through service learning defined as the cultivation and maintenance of relationships. A primary goal of the program is to prepare young girls for full participation as leaders in the 21st Century.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is an annual event held in Northwest Pasadena during the month of December to promote cultural awareness and celebration of children and community. The celebration includes cultural music, food and entertainment that focus on the principles of Kwanzaa.
Economic Development
National economic trends, such as unstable employment, the threat to Social Security as we know it, and the widening gap between wealth and poverty are the basis for the development of Financial Fortitude, the current Economic Development program initiative of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Financial Fortitude is a process that will help program participants to 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.
The Financial Fortitude initiative is comprised of ten components and provides a collaboration of information from major economic corporations and other well-known financial institutions. The ten components include: Goal Setting, Financial Planning, Budgeting, Debt Management, Savings & Investments, Retirement Planning, Homeownership, Insurance, Estate Planning, and Entrepreneurship.
The initiative helps members of the Sorority spread financial education throughout their local communities.
The initiative helps members of the Sorority spread financial education throughout their local communities.
Physical And Mental Health International Awareness
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.
Political Awareness And Involvement
Delta Days in the Nation’s 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 policymakers, members of the United States Congress, Congressional staff members, and national issues experts.
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 policymakers, 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 participate 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.
Regional Director and Member, Gwendolyn Sherard-Bishop (1984-1989) inaugurates “Delta Days at the State Capitol” which became a national initiative.
Delta Day at the United Nations
Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital
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.
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:
1. Sponsoring Voter Registration and voter education programs
2. Combating Voter Suppression
3. The full restoration of voting rights for individuals who have paid their debt to society (ex-offenders)
4. Affordable Health Care and access to quality health care
5. Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment
6. Support for HBCU
7. Political Awareness and Involvement
8. Gender Equality
9. Racial Profiling
1. Sponsoring Voter Registration and voter education programs
2. Combating Voter Suppression
3. The full restoration of voting rights for individuals who have paid their debt to society (ex-offenders)
4. Affordable Health Care and access to quality health care
5. Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment
6. Support for HBCU
7. Political Awareness and Involvement
8. Gender Equality
9. Racial Profiling
Programs in Action
