Greetings from our President

Greetings Sorors and Friends,

The Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is pleased to welcome you to our official website. Chartered almost 85 years ago, the Dynamic Detroit Alumnae Chapter is charged with moving Forward with Faith, Fidelity, and Fortitude as we continue to work in our service area, Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and Highland Park. In serving the community, we are carrying out the vision of our 22 Founders – a journey begun by DAC’s 29 Charter Members and guided by the 43 sorors who have served as Chapter Presidents over these past eight decades.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded by 22 college women in 1913 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Since its founding, more than 350,000 women have been initiated, making Delta Sigma Theta one of the largest African American women’s organizations. Today, the Sorority’s members in the United States and abroad are dedicated to public service through our Five-Point Programmatic Thrust:

  • Economic Development
  • Educational Development
  • International Awareness and Involvement
  • Physical and Mental Health
  • Political Awareness and Involvement

We invite you to partner with us in our undertaking, to make even more significant contributions as we continue to serve the metropolitan Detroit community.

Sisterly love,
Stephanie L. Williams
Chapter President
Detroit Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
president@detroitdeltas.org

Our Chapter History


The Detroit Alumnae Chapter was chartered on May 13, 1939 as Alpha Pi Sigma Chapter and was renamed Detroit Alumnae Chapter in 1958. Detroit Alumnae, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2019, is one of the largest chapters in the Sorority with membership averaging more than 800 Detroit Deltas annually. Chapter members have risen to serve on the regional and national levels of the Sorority. From 1971-1975, 14th DAC President Lillian Pierce Benbow served the Sorority as the 15th National President. Most recently, 41st DAC President Lois E. Bingham was selected as the executive director of the sisterhood.

Since its chartering, Detroit Deltas have instituted programs and projects that have significantly benefited the residents of the city. These have included innovative efforts like the Delta Home for Girls, which for more than 40 years housed young girls who had been removed from their homes by the courts and Detroit Delta Preparatory Academy for Social Justice, a college-preparatory high school. Delta Prep was the nation’s first school created by a National Pan-Hellenic Council organization. An ongoing project is Delta Manor, a senior citizens apartment building that has served residents since 1989.

Detroit Alumnae Chapter has been honored by the community and the Sorority. Beginning in 2013, Delta’s centennial year, the Chapter was honored to have service projects and artifacts of its productive programming displayed in a full gallery exhibit at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. DAC’s service was recognized by the Michigan Chronicle which named Detroit Deltas their Newsmaker of the Year. Over the years Detroit Deltas have won numerous awards at the state, regional and national levels of the Sorority, including Midwest Region Large Alumnae Chapter of the Year Award in 2015 and 2017; Delta Dear of the Year, International Awareness and Involvement, as well as Economic Development Awards in 2018. The Chapter also placed as a finalist in these categories in 2019: Educational Development, Political Awareness and Involvement, Emergency Response Team, and Chapter of the Year..

Meet our Elected Officers


Member NameCommitteeEmail
Yolanda DayArts and Letters Chairartsandletters@detroitdeltas.org
Felecia BakerBudget and Finance Committee Chairfinance@detroitdeltas.org
Nina ScottChoir Chairchoir@detroitdeltas.org
VeronCia DaffinDr. Betty Shabazz Academy Chairshabazzacademy@detroitdeltas.org
Janeal GarryCommunity Outreach Chairoutreach@detroitdeltas.org
Veronica LindseyDelta Dears Chairdeltadears@detroitdeltas.org
Janella RobinsonDelta GEMS ChairDeltaGEMS@detroitdeltas.org
Jaye SandersEconomic Development Chairecondev@detroitdeltas.org
Shelley EsterEMBODI Chairembodi@detroitdeltas.org
Deborah McCrearyEmergency Response Team Chairert@detroitdeltas.org
Brandy McMillionEvent Coordinating Chairevents@detroitdeltas.org
LaCharmine JeffersonHeritage and Archives Chairarchives@detroitdeltas.org
Clarice Ogilvie PoseyHospitality Chairhospitality@detroitdeltas.org
Robyn JohnsonHousing and Properties Chair Chairfacilities@detroitdeltas.org
Denise Thames JacksonInternal Audit Cmt, Chair Chairauditor@detroitdeltas.org
LyShay McGowanInternational Awareness and Involvement Chairiai@detroitdeltas.org
Stephanie L. HobsonMembership Services Chairsecond.vice.president@detroitdeltas.org
Alicia NailsNewsletter Chairpublicrelations@detroitdeltas.org
Katrenia CampProgram Planning & Development Chairppd@detroitdeltas.org
Marcileen PruittProtocol Chairprotocol@detroitdeltas.org
Alicia NailsPublic Relations Leadpublicrelations@detroitdeltas.org
Mary MeeksRisk Management Chairriskmanagement@detroitdeltas.org
Marilyn Smith-HinesRitual and Ceremonies Chairritual@detroitdeltas.org
Jenice Mitchell FordRules of Order and Policies and Procedures Chairropp@detroitdeltas.org
Katrenia CampScholarship Chairscholarship@detroitdeltas.org
Colleen AustinSister Circles Chairsistercircles@detroitdeltas.org
Donyale Stephen-AtaraSocial Action Chairsocialaction@detroitdeltas.org
Katrina V. YoungSpecial Services (Omega Omega) Chairspecialservices@detroitdeltas.org
Jacinta MbaTechnology Chairtechnology@detroitdeltas.org
Staci BrooksWays and Means Chair, Special Eventswaysandmeans@detroitdeltas.org

Charter Members


Loretta McKee (Briscoe)*Esther Randall (LaMarr)*Mamie Alexander*Elizabeth Cole*
Lucy B. Morris*Ruth Routt (King)*Gladys Barthwell*Irene Duncan Wise
Sue Morton*Louise Sims*Marquerite M. BleachHortense Fears*
Elizabeth Morton*Margret SmithEleanor Boykin (Jones)*Maxine Fears (Worsham)*
Wilamette Mosby*Zelma Sykes (Sparks)*Marion Carter*Bertha Lantoin*
Frances Owens*Marion TaylorEthel Childs (Baker)*Victoria McCall (Davenport)*
Ernestine PostlesHelen Thomas*Phyllis Colden*Ruby McLendon (Wills)*
Edith Watson (Bland)*

Past Presidents


Larmender Davis
2019-2021
Shirletha Simms Binion 1997-1999LaBarbara Gragg
1975-1977
Junetta Robison Watt* 1955-1957
Lois Bingham
2017-2019
Barbara J. Benford* 1995-1997Ora Williams Carter* 1973-1975Margaret Piper* 1953-1955
LaNeice Jones
2015-2017
Kay Diane Armstrong 1993-1995Bernadine Newsom Denning*
1971-1973
Ahnastasia Dudley* 1951-1953
Marcia A. Jackson 2013-2015Bernice Finley Morton* 1991-1993Virginia Munger*
1969-1971
Mathilda Williams* 1949-1951
Beverly A. Gray
2011-2013
Rose Marie Dickens Swanson
1989-1991
Juanita Williams Stafford 1967-1969Frances Langford Owens*
1947-1949
Mardi L. Woods
2009-2011
Evelyn V. Browne* 1987-1989Eleanor Boykin Jones* 1965-1967Gladys W. Barthwell* 1946-1947
Anitta Y. Orr
2007-2009
Carol Sayers Puryear* 1985-1987Lillian Pierce Benbow* 1963-1965Roberta McGuire Pickett*
1944-1946
Barbara J. Anderson 2005-2007Mattie Jones Johnson 1983-1985Dorothea Flounoy Jackson* 1961-1963Lucy Belle Morris* 1943-1944
Jessye Verona Franklin 2003-2005Velma Mobley*
1981-1983
Lillian Pierce Benbow* 1963-1965Cecil Boykin McFadden* 1942-1943
Marion E. Binion 2001-2003Jean Sharon Porter 1979-1981Esther LaMarr*
1959-1961
Marion Carter*
1939-1942
Edythe Hayden Friley 1999-2001Carrie Rogers Brown 1977-1979Helen Garvin*
1957-1959