Founders
This founder Taught drama at Bennett College and served as Directress of the Harlem School of Arts.
Big Sister Osceola Macarthy Adams
A very gifted singer and actress that sang for television shows.
Zephyr Chisom Carter
Became a music teacher in the Washington, DC public school system.
Olive Claire Jones
Was from the small town of Belton, South Carolina.
Mamie Reddy Rose
Drated the initial constitution and bylaws, designed the ceromancy for inducting honorary members. She also designed the sorority pin and served as the second president of Alpha Chapter and Delta Sigma theta sorority, Incorporated.
Madree Penn White
This founder Was born in Chicago, Illinois. Was a constant supporter of Alpha Chapter.
Marguerite Young Alexander
Graduated from Howard in 1913 as valedictorian and class president. Also married a founder of Omega Psi Phi.
Edna Brown Coleman
She helped lobby Delta Sigma Theta to participate in the march for Women’s Suffrage.
Jimmie Bugg Middleton
The only Founder to receive a doctorate degree and was one of two Founders who never married.
Eliza Pearl Shippen
She taught at Claflin College in Orangeburg, SC.
Edith Motte Young
This founder was The first Black Social Worker for the New York City and County Charities, and she was Alpha Chapter’s first Custodian.
Winona Cargile Alexander
First corresponding secretary of Alpha Chapter. Became a teacher in the Galveston school district.
Jessie McGuire Dent
Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, was an excellent musician. She graduated as valedictorian of the Teacher’s college in 1914.
Pauline Oberdorfer Minor
President William Howard Taft presented her with her diploma and scholarship to Howard University. She introduced First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to an audience of parents at John Wesley AME Zion Church in 1945.
Florence Letcher Toms
First Vice President of Alpha Chapter. First black teacher in Richmond County, NY. Charter Member of Queens Alumnae Chapter.
Ethel Cuff Black
First sergeant at arms of Alpha Chapter. Helped charter the graduate chapter of Delta sigma Theta Sorority, incorporated in Dallas, Texas.
Frederica Chase Dodd
From Washington, DC graduated from M Street High School, later known as Dunbar High School.
Vashti Turley Murphy
She became a teacher with a career that covered more than 30 years after she retired, she began a second career in dramatic performance.
Ethel Carr Watson
Born in Winfield, Kansas. On March 13, 1913 she participated in the Women’s suffrage March. Sixty-eight years later she repeated the walk again on August 2, 1981.
Bertha Pitts Campbell
Served as president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, incorporated and Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Myra Davis Hemmings
The last surviving Founder when she died in 1993 in Washingtonville, NY. Married a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. First Black graduate from Washingtonville High School.
Naomi Sewell Richardson
She published a novel entitled Valley of the Poor it focused on racism and poverty in the south.
Wertie Blackwell Weaver