25 LC 112 2652
House Resolution 20
By: Representatives Davis of the 87
th
, Jackson of the 165
th
, Cummings of the 39
th
, Burnough
of the 77
th
, Jones of the 60
th
, and others
A RESOLUTION
Commending Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for its 112 years of service and recognizing
1
January 13, 2025, as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Founders Day; and for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is a public service organization that was3
founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 visionary collegiate women at Howard University in4
Washington, D.C., dedicated to sisterhood, scholarship, and public service; and5
WHEREAS, its founding members included Osceola Macarthy Adams, Marguerite Young6
Alexander, Winona Cargile Alexander, Ethel Cuff Black, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Zephyr7
Chisom Carter, Edna Brown Coleman, Jessie McGuire Dent, Frederica Chase Dodd, Myra8
Davis Hemmings, Olive Jones, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Vashti9
Turley Murphy, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Mamie Reddy Rose, Eliza P. Shippen, Florence10
Letcher Toms, Ethel Carr Watson, Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Madree Penn White, and Edith11
Motte Young; and12
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has grown into a global sisterhood of over13
300,000 initiated members with more than 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters across the14
United States and internationally, including in England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands,15
Bermuda, the Bahamas, and South Korea; and16
H. R. 20
- 1 - 25 LC 112 2652
WHEREAS, the sorority's Five-Point Programmatic Thrust focuses on Economic
17
Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical18
and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement, reflecting its enduring19
commitment to positive social change; and20
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has produced trailblazers and civic leaders,21
including civil rights icons, educators, business leaders, and public servants dedicated to22
justice and equality; and23
WHEREAS, distinguished members of the Georgia General Assembly who are proud24
members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. include state representatives Viola Davis25
(D-Stone Mountain), Rhonda Burnough (D-Riverdale), Sheila Jones (D-Atlanta), Edna26
Jackson (D-Savannah), MeKyah McQueen (D-Smyrna), and Terry Cummings (D-Mableton),27
each of whom exemplifies the sorority's ideals of public service and leadership; and28
29
WHEREAS, the sorority's first public act was its participation in the historic 1913 Women's30
Suffrage March in Washington, D.C., underscoring its legacy of civic engagement and social31
action; and32
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. continues to advance its legacy of advocacy33
through hosting signature events such as Delta Days at the State Capitol and by addressing34
critical issues impacting communities across Georgia and the nation.35
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that36
the members of this body commend Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for its 112 years of37
impactful service; recognize January 13, 2025, as Founders Day; and celebrate the sorority's38
H. R. 20
- 2 - 25 LC 112 2652
ongoing contributions toward building stronger communities through advocacy, education,
39
and leadership.40
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized41
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Delta42
Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.43
H. R. 20
- 3 -