Newsletter of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter
Sorority Special 53rd
Year National
ThDe eltaWord2016-2017 Convention
Issue!
Inside This Issue Embracing Tradition…
Enabling Transformation
Sisterhood Month 1
Healthy Lifestyles: Delta 2 Washington DC Alumnae (WDCAC) celebrated 95 in 2016 and are now
S.I.Z.E.D. & Community preparing to celebrate 100 years in 2021. Our past and current leadership
Health Fair 3 has continued the legacy by continually working to develop programming and
My Cry In the Dark 4 activities that are relevant to our
5 membership and community. This
EMBODI 6 year was a transformation year for
WDCAC. You may be wondering
Financial Fortitude 7 what is meant by transformation. In
2016-2017, WDCAC has some huge
Collegiate Transition Task successes and some challenges. Let
Force (CTT) first talk about our successes.
Arts & Letters WDCAC continues to be innovative,
creative and resourceful. We have
Distinguished Men Cookin’ added new partnerships to our
With the Deltas database of partners. We have
partnered with Phelps High School
Project 13 Initiatives to implement our EMBODI and Delta
G.E.M.S. programs. We partnered
History Makers Calendar with two churches, Allen Chapel
A.M.E. Church and Metropolitan
Delta Night at the Mystics A.M.E. Church, to host a Health Fair and a workshop on ‘Providing Support
Family Day for Formerly Incarcerated Women Reentering the DMV Community’,
respectively. We expanded our relationship with Mystics organizations by
Backpack Brigade 9 incorporating Giant Grocery Stores into our community health fairs. We
“Back to Work” Day 10 continue to partner with Comcast NBC Universal, Safeway, RISE
Demonstration Center, and Whitman Walker Clinic.
Comcast Cares Day 11
World AIDS Day Taking the theme “All Sorors Matter,” we
began our year with our first Sisterhood
67 Blankets for Mandela Retreat where we interactively bonded
through various activities. One of my favorite
Community Conversation; 12 activities of the day was the Wall of
Mock Debate; Re-entry Educa- Appreciation. We don’t always take the time
tion; Delta Days in the Na- to tell each other how much you are
tion’s Capital and DC Council appreciate someone. Every soror in
attendance had an “envelope” and we took a
custom index card to write a note and place it in their envelope. During
Sisterhood Month, we honored our Delta Dear in grand fashion and celebrate
the diversity of our members in all activities.
(Continued on next page.)
HISTORY MAKERS Message from the President (From page 1.)
Celebrating Our “Magic” WDCAC celebrated the opening of the National Museum of African
American History and Culture by making a $5,000 donation and creating a
In celebration of the historic grand opening of calendar to celebrate some of the many history makers of Delta Sigma
the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Theta Sorority, Inc. and having a History Makers Soiree.
American History and Culture (NMAAHC), the
Washington DC Alumnae Chapter (WDCAC) We continue collaboratively working with our sister alumnae chapter, The
paid tribute to #BlackGirlMagic with a History Federal City Alumnae Chapter, on social action activities (Voter Education
Makers Soirée on Sept. 23, 2016, at the and Registration, Delta Days at the City Council) and our Collegiate
American Institute of Architects in Transition Taskforce activities. Our two chapters work with four collegiate
Washington, D.C. In continuing to celebrate chapters in the District of Columbia doing community service projects as
the magic of African-American women and as well as providing monetary support to attend Delta Days at the Nation’s
an official co-celebrant of the NMAAHC’s Capital and 53rd National Convention.
opening through its “Lift Every Voice
Campaign,” WDCAC developed an 18-month Most chapters would not talk about obstacles in an award submission. Our
History Makers obstacles are a large part of our success. We continue to learn from our
Calendar featuring challenges. They force us to be innovative and creative in our approach
trailblazing to discussing issues and developing an active strategy to convert the
members of Delta obstacle in a success. For example, we have had a couple of fundraisers
Sigma Theta that did not meet the estimate profit. This prompted WDCAC to utilize
Sorority, Inc. who our January chapter meeting and have an open and candid discussion on
have been fundraising as it relates to the purpose and necessity, chapter interest in
impactful in the types of fundraisers and ideas for new fundraisers. We received great
local Washington metropolitan area, ideas and feedback. We have taken this feedback and incorporated into
nationally, and internationally. The calendar our fundraising plan. From that goal, we exceed our profit expectations
covers the period of January 2017 through by fifty percent for our next fundraiser, Distinguished Men Cookin’ with
June 2018. the Deltas. The chapter banded together to ensure we were successful.
We have conducted workshops for our committee chairs and executive
As an innovative fundraiser to benefit board on conducting meetings, how to write reports, evaluations and
WDCAC’s programs and scholarships, the marketing your activities and events.
calendar highlights the accomplishments of
National President Paulette C. Walker, as well WDCAC is culminating its year with Delta Night at the Mystics, where five
as other sorority members who have made dollars of every ticket sold by WDCAC will go towards a donation for
history as authors, attorneys, business Howard Diabetes Center, and a gathering with a Family and Friends Fun
executives, civil rights activists, media and Day at the Park.
telecommunications professionals, performing
artists, and public servants. The calendar also WDCAC continues to exceed its goals and expectations. We our 96 years
features the presidents of several other strong and steeped deeply in our legacy. We continue to grow our
alumnae chapters in the Washington, D.C. programming as we continue to provide intergenerational activities for
area, which further shows the collective the membership and the District of Columbia community.
strength and unity of our sisterhood.
2
In addition, the calendar seeks to keep the
sisterhood connected through a personalized
version that lists the names of sorority
members, family and friends along with
special dates of commemoration—such as
birthdays, Deltaversaries, and wedding
anniversaries. WDCAC also released a version
of the calendar without the personalization
that serves as a wonderful keepsake
showcasing history-making members of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
WDCAC’s My Cry in the Dark Committee was awarded a 2016 Centennial Program Planning and Development
Grant Fund in collaboration with the Delta Research and Educational Fund (DREF) towards our Mental Health
Across the Lifespan Initiatives. In particular our committee was awarded a grant to support an anti-bullying
summit within Washington DC in an effort to raise awareness on the psychological and physical harm that
bullying can cause and to pave the path to a safer and more aware community for youth in the District of
Columbia to live and thrive. Our project is aimed at assisting local middle schools in creating anti-bullying task
forces within their schools that will work to develop anti-bullying strategies for their student population and
local community. Excitingly, this project has taken an innovative approach to addressing this pervasive problem
impacting schools and communities throughout the country by introducing the arts (spoken word, drawing and
acting) as tools to help students productively address bullying while simultaneously providing a mechanism for
self-expression. Finally, this project is helping to create a
bridge and stronger working relationships between students, The Video Links for the Growing Gracefully
parents, educators, and community partners to collaboratively Video Series are as follows.
work to address and diminish the issue of bullying within the
Washington DC community. Our anti-bullying summit is Growing Gracefully Part 1
scheduled for Wednesday June 28, 2017 at Johnson Middle https://youtu.be/VsfRKm2L8go
School in Washington, DC.
Another key highlight of the Mental Health Across the Lifespan Growing Gracefully Part 2
https://youtu.be/ImIiW6KDk-k
is successful aging. The Washington DC Alumnae Chapter’s My
Cry in the Dark Committee is committed to not only providing Growing Gracefully Part 3
tools and resources to chapter members but also to the https://youtu.be/l07EvcoVM38
community at large. As a result, this year the chapter decided Growing Gracefully Part 4
to utilize technology and a motivational speaker to help https://youtu.be/0cYT9W5b6Xw
disseminate these successful tips that are correlated with Growing Gracefully Park 5
positive mental health during the aging process. This free video https://youtu.be/qGPdfgLDIWU
series is titled “Growing Gracefully” and it features Trina
Ramsey, a career and life strategist, who actually shares
personal anecdotes, positive affirmations and practical tips on
living fiercely during the inevitable aging process. Regardless of
the season in one’s life, this empowering series of videos will Full Growing Gracefully Video
https://youtu.be/-PSdnfP10Lg
feed women’s minds, bodies and spirits. (Please see attachment
for brochure about and links to video series).
In addition, the My Cry in the Dark Committee embarked upon a
proactive social media campaign designed to raise awareness
about Mental Health within the African American committee.
This campaign even included the dissemination of a few committee authored articles on celebrating successful
holidays solo. In addition, one of the videos that the chapter disseminated was actually highlighted by Soror
President Paulette C. Walker in the April edition of the 25th word. The video titled, “Snapping the Chain: Ending
Mental Health Stigma in the African American Community” can be viewed at this link https://youtu.be/
ZcqtFlLNSa4.
This sorority year, the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter’s My Cry in the Dark Committee has demonstrated a
fearless and proactive approach to raising awareness and starting the dialogue regarding mental health across
the lifespan.
3
Listen Up! IN THE NEWS
A Community Conversation
D.C. Sorority Combats Social Inequality
Now more than ever, it is imperative for citizens to be informed about
concerns impacting our communities; equipped with sustainable tools that by Lauren Poteat Special to the AFRO
provide for economic growth; and engaged in actionable dialogue with
those who can impart knowledge and provide resources to help bring about July 27, 2016
positive change. In consideration of those needs, the Social Action
Committees of the Washington Two local Delta Sigma Theta sorority chapters and
DC and Federal City Alumnae dc.gov held a discussion with D.C. residents on
Chapters co-sponsored a systematic social inequalities, such as the lack of
“Community Conversation” on affordable housing, insufficient healthcare, and
July 19 as an opportunity for inadequate incarceration. The event, organized by
District of Columbia residents the Delta Washington, D.C. Alumnae and the
and experts in the fields of Federal City Alumnae chapters, was held on July 19
Criminal Justice Reform in Northwest D.C. and focused on reasons and
(Returning Citizens), Education, solutions to community disparities that coincided
Health, and Housing to discuss with the organization’s “program for economic,
and suggest possible solutions educational, political, international, and health
for reducing the impact of economics in the aforementioned areas. awareness. The program provides an extensive
array of public service initiatives for residents.
Held at the DC government’s municipal office building at One Judiciary
Square and attended by approximately 50 people, the event featured “We have been planning this event since February
expert panelists who provided insights on their respective areas followed by and wanted to do our best at bringing powerful,
a Q&A session with audience members. The panelists were Polly Donaldson, dynamic speakers to help educate and inspire D.C.
Director of DC’s Housing and Community Development; R. Denise Everson, residents and combat some of these social
WDCAC Member and Director of Community Empowerment, Thinkbox inequalities,” said Selerya Moore, committee chair
Group, LLC; Marco Clark, Ed.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of of social action for the D.C. Alumnae chapter.
DC’s Richard Wright Public Charter School; Charles Thornton, Director of
DC’s Office of Returning Citizens Affairs; and Joe Weissfeld, Project The panelists for the event included R. Denise
Manager at DC’s Department of Health Care Finance. Everson, director of Community Empowerment;
Charles Thornton, director of D.C. Office of
Several key takeaways emerged from the panelists’ presentations and Returning Citizen Affairs; Marco Clark, founder and
subsequent conversation with community residents. CEO of Richard Wright Public Charter Schools for
Journalism and Media Arts; Polly Donaldson,
1) Schools Tax Base Great Communities director of D.C. Housing and Community
Development; and DaShawn Grooves and Joe
This speaks to the value and draw of having a high-quality public school Weissfeld, project managers for the D.C.
Department of Health Care Finance.
system to retain and attract DC residents, thereby growing the tax base
“D.C. is still experiencing high incarceration rates
and improving our neighborhoods. among Black residents with women becoming the
fastest growing population in America,” Thornton
2) Since education was and still remains a ticket for African Americans to said. “At the Office of Returning Citizens Affairs
program, residents can look to readjust back into
increase our economic status and since education affects the quality of society with community involvement and look to
find proper housing.”
life for all citizens, there is a great need for community organizations
Alongside incarceration, the D.C. region also
to assist parents via consistent parenting classes and mentoring. battles housing disparities among residents. The
area’s median income is currently $110,000
3) There is a need to educate the public on housing opportunities for annually, according to a 2015 dc.gov report. Eighty
percent of the city’s Black citizens bring home
moderate-income individuals and families. below that average, according to the report. “We
are currently looking at a 5-point plan that sets out
4) There is a need for residents and organizations as applicable to work to create more affordable housing, preserve
existing housing, increase home ownership
with W.I.R.E. (Women Involved in Reentry Efforts), an Office of opportunities, end D.C. homelessness, and
transform vacant property space as we lead the
Returning Citizens Affairs project. way into taking public funding and transporting it
in a more positive way,” Donaldson said.
5) In the area of health, the District continues to need additional
assistance with health education in low-socioeconomic sections of the
city. The District also needs additional community clinics.
As a Social Action event reflective of Delta’s legacy yet still relevant to
current times, the “Community Conversation” provided residents with the
opportunity to listen to and participate in a discussion about issues directly
impacting our communities. The event also served to uncover additional
opportunities for WDCAC to explore in our ongoing Social Action programs,
such as integrating the above-listed key takeaways into WDCAC’s voter
education initiatives since citizens should vote in order to influence change
4
in our local communities.
Listen up as WDCAC continues the conversation on social action in our
communities!
Voting Education and Registration
WDCAC sponsored and/or participated in seven voter education and registration activities/events. These
activities/events were designed to:
1. Increase the number of registered voters in the District of Columbia especially individuals ages 16 to 25.
2. Inform residents and Sorors about voter suppression, why voting is a right and not a privilege, and on the
positions of each of the Presidential Candidates in the areas of housing, education, health and criminal
justice reform.
Voter Registration Activities
1. On September 15, 2016 three members of the WDCAC’s Social Action Committee (SAC) volunteered at the
Our Vote is Our Voice voter registration booth during the 2016 Black Caucus Legislation Weekend.
Information was provided to 3 individuals who just moved to the metropolitan Washington, DC Area regarding
how and where to register to vote.
2. On September 20, 2016, the Chair and Co-Chair of the
WDCAC’s SAC provided voter registration applications to
students and their families during the Back to School Night
at Roosevelt High School’s STAY program (school for youth
and young adults ages 15 years to 21 years). Three students
took District of Columbia registration forms to complete and
send to the Board of Elections.
3. On September 27, 2016 (National Voter Registration Day)
members (4) of WDCAC’s SAC and a collegiate Soror from Mu
Beta Chapter, George Washington University registered
voters at 2 METRO Rail stations. The Minnesota Avenue
station is in Ward 7 which has been identified as one of the
areas with low voter turnout and low voter registration.
A total of 26 were registered.
Voter Education Activities
1. WDCAC’s SAC sponsored a DID during the October 8 Sorority
Meeting on Voting Rights: The Struggle to be Counted a 37-
minute documentary presented by the producer Phil
Portlock depicting the historic courageous struggle by
African-Americans to obtain the unrestricted right to vote.
Mr. Portlock produced this documentary in response to the
U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2013 decision to declare Section
4 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act unconstitutional. Section 4 identified the states and local jurisdictions with
histories of enacting voter suppression laws.
2. WDCAC’s SAC sponsored an October 14, 2016 Mock Debate, town hall format, to provide an opportunity for
residents and Sorors to dialogue with a representative from the District of Columbia’s 51st state referendum
committee to present information regarding this referendum.; and surrogates representing Presidential
Candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump (surrogates contacted however no representative responded) to
present their platforms especially in the areas of health, education, criminal justice reform and affordable
housing. Soror Julianne Malveaux was Hillary Clinton’s surrogate.
3. On October 19, 2016, the SAC partnered with WDCAC’s EMBODI to facilitate a voter education and
registration session. A PowerPoint entitled Voting is a Right Not a Privilege was presented by Sorors Selerya
Moore SAC Chair; and Attorney Ayanna Hawkins, SAC Member, presented information regarding voter
suppression. Following the lively discussion, 2 EMBODI members registered to vote. In Washington, DC youth
can register to vote if their 18th birthday will be bef5ore election day.
Delta Day at the Council SOCIAL ACTION
of the District of Columbia
Washington DC Alumnae Chapter in partnership with Federal City Alumnae Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital
Chapter sponsored two Delta Days at the Council of the District of
Columbia, on October 20, 2016 and March 9, 2017. The goals of those From March 4-7, alumnae and collegiate sorors
initiatives were as follows: gathered at the Washington Hilton Hotel for the
28th Annual Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital
1. Engage in dialogue with District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and (DDNC). This year’s theme was “One Nation or
members of the Council regarding legislative and policy concerns. Two?” which recalled the same theme used by our
14th National President, Soror Frankie Muse
2. Present to the Mayor and members of the Council written documents Freeman, in 1969 when she initiated a national
supporting identified legislation and policy issues. campaign to rally against racial discrimination.
Now, 48 years later, we are continuing to deal with
The October 20, 2016 Day at the racial divides and inequalities. In order to
Council of the District of effectively and collectively address those issues, it
Columbia focused on our joint is important to understand the basics of social
issues and concerns resulting action. Thus, the first-time attendees’ DDNC
from the July 19th Community session sought to provide sorors with a primer.
Forum (education, health,
affordable housing, and Soror Gwendolyn Ambers, a member of the
returning citizens. Sorors met National Social Action Commission, opened the
with the Mayor, Chair of the session’s panel discussion by stating, “You have
Council, and two come here to take your seat at the table. You are
Councilmembers in a large here to hold our government officials
group session with designated accountable.” She then noted that “social action is
Small groups of Sorors met the the lifeblood of our Sorority” and that it is our
other members of the Council in their offices; and presented orally and in responsibility to speak for those who cannot speak
writing our concerns and what we desired. from themselves. In order to do so, however, we
must have a social action plan and that plan at a
The March 9, 2017 Day at the Council was structured in the form of a mini basic level should provide for working within our
town hall. The Mayor and members of the Council meet individually with communities to influence the enactment of
Sorors in the Mayor’s Press Briefing Room. Designated Sorors presented our legislation—not just at the national level but also
issues and what we wanted in the areas of equity in education for girls and at the state and local levels. Soror Ambers said we
boys of color (District has provided $20,000,000 toward educating boys of should “get all up in their business” to advocate
color, inclusive of renovation of a school) Support for the Commission on and affect change.
African American Soror Ambers’ sentiments were echoed by another
History and Culture panelist and member of the National Social Action
Establishment Act of Commission, Soror Yvette Robinson. In defining
2017 and Increased social action, Soror Robinson said “social action
funding for the Office should be the thing that makes your back stand
of African American tall.” She went on to provide the following social
Affairs; elimination advocacy tips: (1) maintain dialogues with elected
of health care, retail officials; (2 let elected officials know where you
and food deserts; stand and don’t be wishy-washy; (3) utilize
protecting resolutions from your chapter; (4) write letters to
Washington, DC’s the editor to your local newspapers; (5) cut out (in
status as a sanctuary hard copy) positive newspaper articles about
city; support of the convention on the elimination on discrimination against elected officials and mail them to the officials to
women in Washington, DC (#B21-0114); and support of legislation let them know you notice and appreciate their
addressing health disparities. work; and (6) send elected officials thank-you
notes using Delta-imprinted cards. Soror Robinson
6 concluded by declaring that the “stakes are too
high to treat government like a spectator sport.”
The session provided attendees with tools and
resources to support Delta’s social action efforts.
As panelist Soror Robinson charged, we all need to
“become part of the solution and make a
difference” in advocating for change.
Social Action: Mock Debate HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
While the nationally televised presidential debates provided voters with Community Health Fair
the opportunity to hear from the candidates, WDCAC offered local District
of Columbia residents with the ability to have an actual voice in the On the heels of reflecting on 96 years of service on
February 3, WDCAC hosted a Community Health
debate process as well as Fair the following day. It’s only fitting that our
discuss DC Statehood. In one of Charter Day weekend was one of service where the
several social action events on Community Health Fair took place at three
its calendar thus far this different locations—an approach that maximized
sorority year, WDCAC hosted a outreach to those in the District of Columbia who
Mock Debate on Friday, often are marginalized in the healthcare system.
October 14, 2016, at DC’s Old
Council Chambers. Upon WDCAC’s Healthy Lifestyles Committee partnered
entering and signing in for the with organizations such as Howard University
evening’s informative and Hospital’s Diabetes
lively discussions, each Treatment Center,
attendee received a District of the American Heart
Columbia bag of Statehood M&Ms, a DC Voter’s Guide, a Guide to Voting Association, the
for Incarcerated and Returning Citizens, a Constitution of the State of New American Diabetes
Columbia (since then the Council voted to change the name to Washington, Association, and
Douglas Commonwealth), and a “4 Steps to DC Statehood” chart. Hillcrest Children and
Family Center to
Presented in a Town Hall format, the event began with a robust discussion provide nearly 600
and Q&A on the 51st State/statehood referendum facilitated by Eugene residents with a
Kinlow, Director of the District’s Office of Federal and Regional Affairs. wealth of resources
Serving as the DC Statehood Surrogate, Mr. Kinlow noted the fight for and services at health fair sites located at Allen
statehood began in 1801 when DC residents lost Congressional voting Chapel AME Church, Roundtree Residences, and
representation. In 1964, residents achieved the right to vote for president. Good Hope Marketplace Safeway.
The DC mayor and City Council approved a DC Constitution drafted by the
Statehood Commission that would replace the Home Rule Charter enacted Services and resources provided included
by Congress in 1973. This would allow DC to become the 51st state using information on heart health, diabetes, dental
the same process that Tennessee effectively used to become a state. This health, prostate and breast cancer, stress
historical overview further emphasized that the fight for DC statehood management, and reflexology. Medical
continues today where District voters were asked on Election Day to vote representatives and other volunteers also were on
“yes” to approve a constitution to move forward with the statehood hand to check blood pressures as well as provide
yoga and nutrition demonstrations. Additionally,
process. WDCAC organized consultations by internists and
pediatricians, and arranged educational
The highlight of the evening was an informative, humorous discussion with presentations on diabetes and prostrate and breast
health.
Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Surrogate
The Community Health
for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Soror Malveaux answered Fair was educational in
scope in that it
questions about Clinton’s personal email server and she expressed the equipped participants
with important and
need to elect a president who will 1) appoint Supreme Court Justices who impactful health-
related information.
will not attempt to turn the clock The fair also served as
a reminder of WDCAC’s
back on voting rights, and other 96-year legacy of
working in the
human rights issues; 2) improve Washington, DC community. With that legacy
comes a great responsibility of service and
the Affordable Care Act not repeal advocacy. It's a legacy in which WDCAC members
are called to serve with devotion and diligence,
it; 3) work to improve the quality and with purpose and passion—all of which were on
full display at the Community Health Fair the
of Early Education and education chapter hosted during its Charter Day weekend!
in general; and 4) genuinely care
about the middle class.
(NOTE: The Republican National
and State Committees were
contacted for the Mock Debate,
however, a surrogate was not Dr. Julianne Malveaux (third from left) with (L to R)
provided.) Debra Coleman, WDCAC’s 2nd Vice President,
Selerya Moore, Social Action Committee (SAC)
Chair, and Brenda Ruffin, SAC Co-Chair.
7
SCHOLARSHIP A Face to the Funds:
WDCAC Scholarship Recipient
Scholarship Program
The following is an excerpt of a letter from WDCAC scholarship recipient Philip
Enhancing the lives of residents of the District O’Sullivan, who has excelled during his freshman year at the University of Chicago.
of Columbia, acknowledging educational Mr. O’Sullivan’s success is representative of the
achievement, and encouraging continued positive impacts of WDCAC’s scholarship program
academic pursuits are primary objectives of and shows why sorors must support chapter
WDCAC’s annual scholarship program that
recognizes graduating high school students fundraisers, such as the upcoming Distinguished
who are residents of Washington, D.C. and Men Cookin’ with the Deltas. Mr. O’Sullivan,
prior WDCAC scholarship recipients who pictured at right, puts a “face to the funds” of
display academic excellence, community WDCAC’s fundraising efforts.
service, leadership skills, and who choose to
attend an institution of higher learning. Dear Scholarship Committee:
WDCAC’s Scholarship Committee administers I hope this letter finds the Scholarship Committee
the scholarship program, which includes well. I am writing to you to once again express
making available applications to public, my thanks for helping me fund my education at
private, charter, and parochial high school the University of Chicago. I just finished my
seniors in Washington D.C., as well as, amazing first quarter here at UChicago, and I
recommending students for the chapter’s wanted to update you all on what I’ve been doing
scholarships. so far.
This year, the Scholarship Committee I am very happy to report that I have done very well in all my classes this first
contacted and provided 53 high schools (19 quarter, I got an A in every class and now have a GPA of 4.0. I made sure to work
DCPS, 17 DC Public Charter Schools, and 17 DC hard during my first quarter (The Mansueto Library on campus has become like my
Private/Parochial Schools) and 23 community second home now) in all my classes. I took three classes this quarter. The first was
organizations with Scholarship Applications for Intro to Spanish. I hope to continue studying Spanish this year and study abroad next
distribution to high school seniors who live year to become fluent. My second class is a humanities class called Philosophical
and attend school in the District of Columbia. Perspectives. This quarter we read Oedipus Rex and Antigone by Sophocles, Plato’s
Republic, Crito, Apology, and Meno, and Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics. My third
Scholarship recipients were notified in late class is a class in the social sciences called Social Science Inquiry where we
April of their selections with scholarship examined the various methods social scientists use to examine and explore the
awards presented at the Chapter’s Community world we live in. We read on a variety of topics including Marx, Game Theory,
Forum and Scholarship Awards Ceremony held quantitative analysis and ethnography.
in May. During this year’s ceremony, WDCAC
awarded over $25,000 in new and continuing I have not spent all my time on studying, however. I have also gotten involved in
scholarships. The chapter also awarded five several extracurricular activities. I joined my school’s Moot Court team, and I
trunk scholarships which consisted of essential competed in a regional tournament in Chicago in the fall. My partner and I made it
items, e.g., towels, sheets, iron, laundry to the semi-finals round of the tournament. This January my partner and I competed
supplies and toiletry items, which students in the 2017 Nationals Tournament as one of the top 80 teams in the country. We
will need when they begin college. reached the top 48 bracket before being knocked out of the tournament, and out of
the 3 teams UChicago sent to Nationals we advanced the farthest. More information
and details can be found on the American Collegiate Moot Court Website.
I have also gotten involved in my house council, the Stony Island House Council, a
group for my house, Stony Island (my student dormitory comprised of about 70
people). Together we plan house events and manage a small budget of several
hundred dollars to help fund the events. So far, we have helped arrange several
subsidized trips into downtown Chicago for everyone. I serve as the Secretary, and I
take notes during the meetings. I also manage the mass emails sent out to everyone
in the house for the weekly news, and I serve on a student advisory committee for
my dining hall to relay feedback from people in my house to the dining staff.
I also have recently found employment as a research assistant. I will be assisting a
J.S.D. Student at the Law School with research for her dissertation. The subject
matter is international arbitration for investor settlement disputes. As her research
assistant, I will be reading through arbitration cases published by the Investment
Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, an arm of the World Bank. I will be
coding for over 30 variables per case for the research.
I have also had fun with my new friends exploring Chicago. Recently before finals
weekend several friends and I went to Chinatown and tried Bubble Tea and several
other amazing new foods. I have also, of course, tried Chicago Deep Dish pizza at
Giordano’s. I’m looking forward to experiencing the city more in the distant future
when the weather warms up.
Overall my first quarter of college was an amazing time, and I wanted to thank you
all for hhaenlpgiinngg8 allow me to have this experience without the stress of financial
burden over my head. I hope to continue my good work in the future.
Philip O’Sullivan (Letter reprinted with permission.)
EDUCATIONAL Mobilized to Make a Difference
DEVELOPMENT WDCAC’s Community Mobilization Committee is responsible for coordinating
Delta’s Project 13 initiative at the local level. As the Project 13 initiative is
Backpack Brigade designed to strengthen Delta’s ties to the community while demonstrating
our sisterhood’s collective power of service, the committee plays a critical
Backpack Brigade is an annual service project role in mobilizing sorors to make a difference in the communities we serve.
of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter The Community Mobilization Committee also has responsibility for
(WDCAC), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The coordinating service projects such as Comcast Cares and the Angel Tree
chapter provides backpacks and school Project as well as identifying and recommending additional community
supplies to Washington, DC students who may outreach activities for participation by chapter sorors (e.g., Food and
not have the financial resources to obtain the Friends, Special Olympics, Prom Dress Project, Back to Work with New
school supplies needed for the school year. In Endeavors, etc.).
2016, WDCAC delivered over 116 backpacks
filled with the requisite school supplies to Under the leadership of co-chairs Keturah Raabe and Karen Turner for the
current sorority year, WDCAC’s Community Mobilization Committee has
students in been actively working within the community to make a difference. In
need at September, for instance, the committee organized a team to participate in
Simon the 2016 St. Jude 5k Run/Walk to raise money to fund pediatric cancer
Elementary research—an effort sponsored by Project 13 partner St. Jude. Team WDCAC
School. concluded this year’s fundraising drive in early October and collected over
Next year, $2,400 thanks to the generous donations of team participants, chapter
WDCAC’s members, and supporters such as the Delta Housing Corporation of the
Scholarship Committee will select another District of Columbia.
elementary school, subject to the school's
interest and approval of the principal, to be As described in the “WDCAC in Action” section of this newsletter, the
the recipient school of the 2017 WDCAC committee also organized a group of chapter sorors to volunteer their time
Backpack Brigade Project. at another Project 13-sponsored event—the American Diabetes Association’s
Game On, Greater Washington, in partnership with the Washington
WDCAC solicits donations for the Backpack Redskins. In describing the chapter’s participation in the St. Jude Run/Walk
Brigade from its sorors, community businesses and the American Diabetes Association service projects, Soror Turner noted
and organizations from January to August. that the activities provided sorors with “fun and fulfilling experiences and a
The Scholarship Committee fills the backpacks great chance to build bonds with other chapter members.” She added, “at
with school supplies recommended by the the same time, we were able to support the mission of these organizations
District of Columbia Public School System and advance the Sorority’s commitment to strengthening these strategic
(DCPS) and delivers them to the school on the partnerships.”
Friday prior to first day of school for DCPS
elementary school students. The recipient The committee also helped support Delta’s commitment to public service
school, under the principal's leadership, by organizing the chapter’s participation in additional community-based
establishes a process, if it does not already events, including the other projects
have one in place that identifies the described in the “WDCAC in Action”
appropriate students in need and distributes section as well as a final activity for
the backpacks to them. In the past, several this calendar year—volunteering at
schools have invited WDCAC representatives DC’s Food and Friends, a local non-
to attend ceremonies or events in which the profit organization that provides
school distributed the backpacks. The school, meals to men, women and children
under the principal's leadership, determines living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and
the most efficient and effective way to other life-challenging illnesses.
distribute the backpacks to the students they
select. We do request that you allow WDCAC While the committee is committed
to use the name of your school in requesting to helping those in our community
donations for the Backpack Brigade project who face challenges, especially our most vulnerable populations, the
and to publicize the Backpack Brigade project committee also is impacted by its own challenges. Those challenges are
in Delta-related publications and community increasing the number of chapter sorors who participate in outreach
newspapers. activities and identifying and implementing programs that extend into
underserved areas of the city. The latter of the challenges, as reflected on
by the co-chairs, is also the committee’s “single-most opportunity, followed
by the opportunity to build collaboration with other committees and
organizations to integrate our resources and potentially increase our impact
in the commu9nity.”
Clearly, the committee continues to be focused on mobilizing to make a
difference in the community!
Strengthening Our Sisterhood:
WDCAC’s Sisterhood Retreat
With a “Wall of Appreciation” blooming blissfully as a backdrop and with sisterhood flourishing fervently in the foreground,
nearly 90 sorors gathered on Saturday, November 5, at Trinity Washington University for WDCAC’s Sisterhood Retreat.
Centered around a theme of “Strengthening Our Sisterhood: Building on Our Bond,” the retreat provided sorors with
opportunities for reflection, renewal, recommitment, and rejoicing. Each of those opportunities served as stepping stones
that guided sorors through a day filled with gratitude and gratification.
The retreat began with a thought-provoking Sisterhood DID, or Delta Internal Development workshop, facilitated by Soror
Sharon Williams Jackson. Soror Jackson, Delta’s immediate past DC State Coordinator, asked sorors to reflect on the meaning
of sisterhood. Sorors’ responses included the following.
What is Sisterhood?
Unconditional bond
Common bond
Sacrifice
Inclusiveness
Respect even when in disagreement
Accepting each other for who we are
Soror Jackson reminded sorors that “our core is sisterhood” and she emphasized that we
should keep that in mind and at the forefront of everything we do. She also noted that
the keys to effective sisterhood requires that sorors feel good about ourselves, value our
sisterhood, and let go of negative forces. Other highlights of the Sisterhood DID included
a review of Delta’s mission statement and the Delta Oath, so as to renew our bond and
recommit ourselves to our Sorority. Additionally, Soror Jackson asked sorors to ponder
on questions such as “am I being the best I can be for WDCAC? and “how strong is my
commitment to the Sorority?” as part of developing a personal plan of action to
promote and enhance sisterhood.
Sisterhood was further promoted as the retreat continued with an ice breaker activity where sorors had the opportunity to get
to know each other by distinguishing between fun facts and fiction. The retreat also consisted of two team-building exercises
to demonstrate our collective strength—(1) a Campaign Game where teams developed creative and catchy campaigns designed
to reinvigorate and reclaim sorors and (2) a game where groups of sorors literally joined hands in a Delta chain, creating
crisscross patterns of interlocked arms, and then were tasked to unravel themselves without breaking the core circle of our
sisterhood.
Other retreat activities included a Delta S.I.Z.E.D. wearable device challenge; a
session on the Dos and Don’ts of Meeting Attire that was accented by a fashion show
featuring several of the retreat attendees; and a hearty, heartfelt and harmonious
round of singing the songs of our beloved sisterhood. A WDCAC signature stroll also
was debuted, where sorors bonded and bounced to beats that helped symbolize a
renewal of our sisterly ties.
As another symbol of our sisterly bond and to help foster an environment where
sorors could freely give and receive
compliments, the retreat featured a wall adorned with red envelopes printed with
each soror’s name. During the retreat, sorors had opportunities to write notes of
encouragement and appreciation to any of the sorors in attendance to place inside
the designated envelopes on the “Wall of Appreciation.” The wall blossomed with
words of thanks that served as a culminating retreat activity to strengthen our
sisterhood and build on our sisterly bond!
10
HISTORY MAKERS Message from the President (From page 1.)
Start Here!!!! WDCAC celebrated the opening of the National Museum of African
American History and Culture by making a $5,000 donation and creating a
In celebration of the historic grand opening of calendar to celebrate some of the many history makers of Delta Sigma
the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Theta Sorority, Inc. and having a History Makers Soiree.
American History and Culture (NMAAHC), the
Washington DC Alumnae Chapter (WDCAC) We continue collaboratively working with our sister alumnae chapter, The
paid tribute to #BlackGirlMagic with a History Federal City Alumnae Chapter, on social action activities (Voter Education
Makers Soirée on Sept. 23, 2016, at the and Registration, Delta Days at the City Council) and our Collegiate
American Institute of Architects in Transition Taskforce activities. Our two chapters work with four collegiate
Washington, D.C. In continuing to celebrate chapters in the District of Columbia doing community service projects as
the magic of African-American women and as well as providing monetary support to attend Delta Days at the Nation’s
an official co-celebrant of the NMAAHC’s Capital and 53rd National Convention.
opening through its “Lift Every Voice
Campaign,” WDCAC developed an 18-month Most chapters would not talk about obstacles in an award submission. Our
History Makers obstacles are a large part of our success. We continue to learn from our
Calendar featuring challenges. They force us to be innovative and creative in our approach
trailblazing to discussing issues and developing an active strategy to convert the
members of Delta obstacle in a success. For example, we have had a couple of fundraisers
Sigma Theta that did not meet the estimate profit. This prompted WDCAC to utilize
Sorority, Inc. who our January chapter meeting and have an open and candid discussion on
have been fundraising as it relates to the purpose and necessity, chapter interest in
impactful in the types of fundraisers and ideas for new fundraisers. We received great
local Washington metropolitan area, ideas and feedback. We have taken this feedback and incorporated into
nationally, and internationally. The calendar our fundraising plan. From that goal, we exceed our profit expectations
covers the period of January 2017 through by fifty percent for our next fundraiser, Distinguished Men Cookin’ with
June 2018. the Deltas. The chapter banded together to ensure we were successful.
We have conducted workshops for our committee chairs and executive
As an innovative fundraiser to benefit board on conducting meetings, how to write reports, evaluations and
WDCAC’s programs and scholarships, the marketing your activities and events.
calendar highlights the accomplishments of
National President Paulette C. Walker, as well WDCAC is culminating its year with Delta Night at the Mystics, where five
as other sorority members who have made dollars of every ticket sold by WDCAC will go towards a donation for
history as authors, attorneys, business Howard Diabetes Center, and a gathering with a Family and Friends Fun
executives, civil rights activists, media and Day at the Park.
telecommunications professionals, performing
artists, and public servants. The calendar also WDCAC continues to exceed its goals and expectations. We our 96 years
features the presidents of several other strong and steeped deeply in our legacy. We continue to grow our
alumnae chapters in the Washington, D.C. programming as we continue to provide intergenerational activities for
area, which further shows the collective the membership and the District of Columbia community.
strength and unity of our sisterhood.
11
In addition, the calendar seeks to keep the
sisterhood connected through a personalized
version that lists the names of sorority
members, family and friends along with
special dates of commemoration—such as
birthdays, Deltaversaries, and wedding
anniversaries. WDCAC also released a version
of the calendar without the personalization
that serves as a wonderful keepsake
showcasing history-making members of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
WDCAC’s My Cry in the Dark Committee was awarded a 2016 Centennial Program Planning and Development Grant
Fund in collaboration with the Delta Research and Educational Fund (DREF) towards our Mental Health Across the
Lifespan Initiatives. In particular our committee was awarded a grant to support an anti-bullying summit within
Washington DC in an effort to raise awareness on the psychological and physical harm that bullying can cause and
to pave the path to a safer and more aware community for youth in the District of Columbia to live and thrive. Our
project is aimed at assisting local middle schools in creating anti-bullying task forces within their schools that will
work to develop anti-bullying strategies for their student population and local community. Excitingly, this project
has taken an innovative approach to addressing this pervasive problem impacting schools and communities
throughout the country by introducing the arts (spoken word, drawing and acting) as tools to help students
productively address bullying while simultaneously providing a mechanism for self-expression. Finally, this project
is helping to create a bridge and stronger working relationships between students, parents, educators, and
community partners to collaboratively work to address and diminish the issue of bullying within the Washington DC
community. Our anti-bullying summit is scheduled for Wednesday June 28, 2017 at Johnson Middle School in
Washington, DC.
Another key highlight of the Mental Health Across the Lifespan is successful aging. The Washington DC Alumnae
Chapter’s My Cry in the Dark Committee is committed to not only providing tools and resources to chapter
members but also to the community at large. As a result, this year the chapter decided to utilize technology and a
motivational speaker to help disseminate these successful tips that are correlated with positive mental health
during the aging process. This free video series is titled “Growing Gracefully” and it features Trina Ramsey, a
career and life strategist, who actually shares personal anecdotes, positive affirmations and practical tips on living
fiercely during the inevitable aging process. Regardless of the season in one’s life, this empowering series of videos
will feed women’s minds, bodies and spirits. (Please see attachment for brochure about and links to video series).
In addition, the My Cry in the Dark Committee embarked upon a proactive social media campaign designed to raise
awareness about Mental Health within the African American committee. This campaign even included the
dissemination of a few committee authored articles on celebrating successful holidays solo. In addition, one of the
videos that the chapter disseminated was actually highlighted by Soror President Paulette C. Walker in the April
edition of the 25th word. The video titled, “Snapping the Chain: Ending Mental Health Stigma in the African
American Community” can be viewed at this link https://youtu.be/ZcqtFlLNSa4.
This sorority year, the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter’s My Cry in the Dark Committee has demonstrated a
fearless and proactive approach to raising awareness and starting the dialogue regarding mental health across the
The Video Links for the Growing Gracefully Video Series are as follows.
Other promotional materials are attached as separate documents.
Growing Gracefully Part 1
https://youtu.be/VsfRKm2L8go
Growing Gracefully Part 2
https://youtu.be/ImIiW6KDk-k
Growing Gracefully Part 3
https://youtu.be/l07EvcoVM38
Growing Gracefully Part 4
https://youtu.be/0cYT9W5b6Xw
Growing Gracefully Park 5
https://youtu.b12e/qGPdfgLDIWU
Full Growing Gracefully Video
https://youtu.be/-PSdnfP10Lg
Embracing EDUCATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
WDCAC’s Community Mobilization Committee is responsible for
coordinating Delta’s Project 13 initiative at the local level. As the Project Scholarship Program
13 initiative is designed to strengthen Delta’s ties to the community while
demonstrating our sisterhood’s collective power of service, the committee Enhancing the lives of residents of the District
plays a critical role in mobilizing sorors to make a difference in the of Columbia, acknowledging educational
communities we serve. The Community Mobilization Committee also has achievement, and encouraging continued
responsibility for coordinating service projects such as Comcast Cares and academic pursuits are primary objectives of
the Angel Tree Project as well as identifying and recommending additional WDCAC’s annual scholarship program that
community outreach activities for participation by chapter sorors (e.g., recognizes graduating high school students
Food and Friends, Special Olympics, Prom Dress Project, Back to Work with who are residents of Washington, D.C. and
New Endeavors, etc.). prior WDCAC scholarship recipients who
display academic excellence, community
Under the leadership of co-chairs Keturah Raabe and Karen Turner for the service, leadership skills, and who choose to
current sorority year, WDCAC’s Community Mobilization Committee has attend an institution of higher learning.
been actively working within the community to make a difference. In
September, for instance, the committee organized a team to participate in WDCAC’s Scholarship Committee administers
the 2016 St. Jude 5k Run/Walk to raise money to fund pediatric cancer the scholarship program, which includes
research—an effort sponsored by Project 13 partner St. Jude. Team WDCAC making available applications to public,
concluded this year’s fundraising drive in early October and collected over private, charter, and parochial high school
$2,400 thanks to the generous donations of team participants, chapter seniors in Washington D.C., as well as,
members, and supporters such as the Delta Housing Corporation of the recommending students for the chapter’s
District of Columbia. scholarships.
As described in the “WDCAC in Action” section of this newsletter, the This year, the Scholarship Committee
committee also organized a group of chapter sorors to volunteer their time contacted and provided 53 high schools (19
at another Project 13-sponsored event—the American Diabetes DCPS, 17 DC Public Charter Schools, and 17 DC
Association’s Game On, Greater Washington, in partnership with the Private/Parochial Schools) and 23 community
Washington Redskins. In describing the chapter’s participation in the St. organizations with Scholarship Applications for
Jude Run/Walk and the American Diabetes Association service projects, distribution to high school seniors who live
Soror Turner noted that the activities provided sorors with “fun and and attend school in the District of Columbia.
fulfilling experiences and a great chance to build bonds with other chapter
members.” She added, “at the same time, we were able to support the Scholarship recipients were notified in late
mission of these organizations and advance the Sorority’s commitment to April of their selections with scholarship
strengthening these strategic partnerships.” awards presented at the Chapter’s Community
Forum and Scholarship Awards Ceremony held
The committee also helped support Delta’s commitment to public service in May. During this year’s ceremony, WDCAC
by organizing the chapter’s participation in additional community-based awarded over $25,000 in new and continuing
events, including the other projects described in the “WDCAC in Action” scholarships. The chapter also awarded five
section as well as a final activity for this calendar year—volunteering at trunk scholarships which consisted of essential
DC’s Food and Friends, a local non-profit organization that provides meals items, e.g., towels, sheets, iron, laundry
to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life- supplies and toiletry items, which students
challenging illnesses. will need when they begin college.
While the committee is committed to helping those in our community who
face challenges, especially our most vulnerable populations, the
committee also is impacted by its own challenges. Those challenges are
increasing the number of chapter sorors who participate in outreach
activities and identifying and implementing programs that extend into
underserved areas of the city. The latter of the challenges, as reflected on
by the co-chairs, is also the committee’s “single-most opportunity,
followed by the opportunity to build collaboration with other committees
and organizations to integrate our resources and potentially increase our
impact in the community.”
Clearly, the committee continues to be focused on mobilizing to make a
difference in the community!
Note: The Community Mobilization Committee meets the first Thu1rs3day of each
month at 6:30 pm at Delta Towers. Mobilize and join the committee to make a
difference in our community!
EDUCATIONAL Message from the President (From page 1.)
DEVELOPMENT
WDCAC celebrated the opening of the National Museum of African
Scholarship Program American History and Culture by making a $5,000 donation and creating a
calendar to celebrate some of the many history makers of Delta Sigma
Enhancing the lives of residents of the District Theta Sorority, Inc. and having a History Makers Soiree.
of Columbia, acknowledging educational
achievement, and encouraging continued We continue collaboratively working with our sister alumnae chapter, The
academic pursuits are primary objectives of Federal City Alumnae Chapter, on social action activities (Voter Education
WDCAC’s annual scholarship program that and Registration, Delta Days at the City Council) and our Collegiate
recognizes graduating high school students Transition Taskforce activities. Our two chapters work with four collegiate
who are residents of Washington, D.C. and chapters in the District of Columbia doing community service projects as
prior WDCAC scholarship recipients who well as providing monetary support to attend Delta Days at the Nation’s
display academic excellence, community Capital and 53rd National Convention.
service, leadership skills, and who choose to
attend an institution of higher learning. Most chapters would not talk about obstacles in an award submission. Our
obstacles are a large part of our success. We continue to learn from our
WDCAC’s Scholarship Committee administers challenges. They force us to be innovative and creative in our approach
the scholarship program, which includes to discussing issues and developing an active strategy to convert the
making available applications to public, obstacle in a success. For example, we have had a couple of fundraisers
private, charter, and parochial high school that did not meet the estimate profit. This prompted WDCAC to utilize
seniors in Washington D.C., as well as, our January chapter meeting and have an open and candid discussion on
recommending students for the chapter’s fundraising as it relates to the purpose and necessity, chapter interest in
scholarships. types of fundraisers and ideas for new fundraisers. We received great
ideas and feedback. We have taken this feedback and incorporated into
This year, the Scholarship Committee our fundraising plan. From that goal, we exceed our profit expectations
contacted and provided 53 high schools (19 by fifty percent for our next fundraiser, Distinguished Men Cookin’ with
DCPS, 17 DC Public Charter Schools, and 17 DC the Deltas. The chapter banded together to ensure we were successful.
Private/Parochial Schools) and 23 community We have conducted workshops for our committee chairs and executive
organizations with Scholarship Applications for board on conducting meetings, how to write reports, evaluations and
distribution to high school seniors who live marketing your activities and events.
and attend school in the District of Columbia.
WDCAC is culminating its year with Delta Night at the Mystics, where five
Scholarship recipients were notified in late dollars of every ticket sold by WDCAC will go towards a donation for
April of their selections with scholarship Howard Diabetes Center, and a gathering with a Family and Friends Fun
awards presented at the Chapter’s Community Day at the Park.
Forum and Scholarship Awards Ceremony held
in May. During this year’s ceremony, WDCAC WDCAC continues to exceed its goals and expectations. We our 96 years
awarded over $25,000 in new and continuing strong and steeped deeply in our legacy. We continue to grow our
scholarships. The chapter also awarded five programming as we continue to provide intergenerational activities for
trunk scholarships which consisted of essential the membership and the District of Columbia community.
items, e.g., towels, sheets, iron, laundry
supplies and toiletry items, which students
will need when they begin college.
14
EDUCATIONAL Message from the President (From page 1.)
DEVELOPMENT
WDCAC celebrated the opening of the National Museum of African
Scholarship Program American History and Culture by making a $5,000 donation and creating a
calendar to celebrate some of the many history makers of Delta Sigma
Enhancing the lives of residents of the District Theta Sorority, Inc. and having a History Makers Soiree.
of Columbia, acknowledging educational
achievement, and encouraging continued We continue collaboratively working with our sister alumnae chapter, The
academic pursuits are primary objectives of Federal City Alumnae Chapter, on social action activities (Voter Education
WDCAC’s annual scholarship program that and Registration, Delta Days at the City Council) and our Collegiate
recognizes graduating high school students Transition Taskforce activities. Our two chapters work with four collegiate
who are residents of Washington, D.C. and chapters in the District of Columbia doing community service projects as
prior WDCAC scholarship recipients who well as providing monetary support to attend Delta Days at the Nation’s
display academic excellence, community Capital and 53rd National Convention.
service, leadership skills, and who choose to
attend an institution of higher learning. Most chapters would not talk about obstacles in an award submission. Our
obstacles are a large part of our success. We continue to learn from our
WDCAC’s Scholarship Committee administers challenges. They force us to be innovative and creative in our approach
the scholarship program, which includes to discussing issues and developing an active strategy to convert the
making available applications to public, obstacle in a success. For example, we have had a couple of fundraisers
private, charter, and parochial high school that did not meet the estimate profit. This prompted WDCAC to utilize
seniors in Washington D.C., as well as, our January chapter meeting and have an open and candid discussion on
recommending students for the chapter’s fundraising as it relates to the purpose and necessity, chapter interest in
scholarships. types of fundraisers and ideas for new fundraisers. We received great
ideas and feedback. We have taken this feedback and incorporated into
This year, the Scholarship Committee our fundraising plan. From that goal, we exceed our profit expectations
contacted and provided 53 high schools (19 by fifty percent for our next fundraiser, Distinguished Men Cookin’ with
DCPS, 17 DC Public Charter Schools, and 17 DC the Deltas. The chapter banded together to ensure we were successful.
Private/Parochial Schools) and 23 community We have conducted workshops for our committee chairs and executive
organizations with Scholarship Applications for board on conducting meetings, how to write reports, evaluations and
distribution to high school seniors who live marketing your activities and events.
and attend school in the District of Columbia.
WDCAC is culminating its year with Delta Night at the Mystics, where five
Scholarship recipients were notified in late dollars of every ticket sold by WDCAC will go towards a donation for
April of their selections with scholarship Howard Diabetes Center, and a gathering with a Family and Friends Fun
awards presented at the Chapter’s Community Day at the Park.
Forum and Scholarship Awards Ceremony held
in May. During this year’s ceremony, WDCAC WDCAC continues to exceed its goals and expectations. We our 96 years
awarded over $25,000 in new and continuing strong and steeped deeply in our legacy. We continue to grow our
scholarships. The chapter also awarded five programming as we continue to provide intergenerational activities for
trunk scholarships which consisted of essential the membership and the District of Columbia community.
items, e.g., towels, sheets, iron, laundry
supplies and toiletry items, which students
will need when they begin college.
15
WDCAC’s My Cry in the Dark Committee was awarded a 2016 Centennial Program Planning and Development Grant
Fund in collaboration with the Delta Research and Educational Fund (DREF) towards our Mental Health Across the
Lifespan Initiatives. In particular our committee was awarded a grant to support an anti-bullying summit within
Washington DC in an effort to raise awareness on the psychological and physical harm that bullying can cause and
to pave the path to a safer and more aware community for youth in the District of Columbia to live and thrive. Our
project is aimed at assisting local middle schools in creating anti-bullying task forces within their schools that will
work to develop anti-bullying strategies for their student population and local community. Excitingly, this project
has taken an innovative approach to addressing this pervasive problem impacting schools and communities
throughout the country by introducing the arts (spoken word, drawing and acting) as tools to help students
productively address bullying while simultaneously providing a mechanism for self-expression. Finally, this project
is helping to create a bridge and stronger working relationships between students, parents, educators, and
community partners to collaboratively work to address and diminish the issue of bullying within the Washington DC
community. Our anti-bullying summit is scheduled for Wednesday June 28, 2017 at Johnson Middle School in
Washington, DC.
Another key highlight of the Mental Health Across the Lifespan is successful aging. The Washington DC Alumnae
Chapter’s My Cry in the Dark Committee is committed to not only providing tools and resources to chapter
members but also to the community at large. As a result, this year the chapter decided to utilize technology and a
motivational speaker to help disseminate these successful tips that are correlated with positive mental health
during the aging process. This free video series is titled “Growing Gracefully” and it features Trina Ramsey, a
career and life strategist, who actually shares personal anecdotes, positive affirmations and practical tips on living
fiercely during the inevitable aging process. Regardless of the season in one’s life, this empowering series of videos
will feed women’s minds, bodies and spirits. (Please see attachment for brochure about and links to video series).
In addition, the My Cry in the Dark Committee embarked upon a proactive social media campaign designed to raise
awareness about Mental Health within the African American committee. This campaign even included the
dissemination of a few committee authored articles on celebrating successful holidays solo. In addition, one of the
videos that the chapter disseminated was actually highlighted by Soror President Paulette C. Walker in the April
edition of the 25th word. The video titled, “Snapping the Chain: Ending Mental Health Stigma in the African
American Community” can be viewed at this link https://youtu.be/ZcqtFlLNSa4.
This sorority year, the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter’s My Cry in the Dark Committee has demonstrated a
fearless and proactive approach to raising awareness and starting the dialogue regarding mental health across the
The Video Links for the Growing Gracefully Video Series are as follows.
Other promotional materials are attached as separate documents.
Growing Gracefully Part 1
https://youtu.be/VsfRKm2L8go
Growing Gracefully Part 2
https://youtu.be/ImIiW6KDk-k
Growing Gracefully Part 3
https://youtu.be/l07EvcoVM38
Growing Gracefully Part 4
https://youtu.be/0cYT9W5b6Xw
Growing Gracefully Park 5
https://youtu.b16e/qGPdfgLDIWU
Full Growing Gracefully Video
https://youtu.be/-PSdnfP10Lg
Embracing EDUCATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
WDCAC’s Community Mobilization Committee is responsible for
coordinating Delta’s Project 13 initiative at the local level. As the Project Scholarship Program
13 initiative is designed to strengthen Delta’s ties to the community while
demonstrating our sisterhood’s collective power of service, the committee Enhancing the lives of residents of the District
plays a critical role in mobilizing sorors to make a difference in the of Columbia, acknowledging educational
communities we serve. The Community Mobilization Committee also has achievement, and encouraging continued
responsibility for coordinating service projects such as Comcast Cares and academic pursuits are primary objectives of
the Angel Tree Project as well as identifying and recommending additional WDCAC’s annual scholarship program that
community outreach activities for participation by chapter sorors (e.g., recognizes graduating high school students
Food and Friends, Special Olympics, Prom Dress Project, Back to Work with who are residents of Washington, D.C. and
New Endeavors, etc.). prior WDCAC scholarship recipients who
display academic excellence, community
Under the leadership of co-chairs Keturah Raabe and Karen Turner for the service, leadership skills, and who choose to
current sorority year, WDCAC’s Community Mobilization Committee has attend an institution of higher learning.
been actively working within the community to make a difference. In
September, for instance, the committee organized a team to participate in WDCAC’s Scholarship Committee administers
the 2016 St. Jude 5k Run/Walk to raise money to fund pediatric cancer the scholarship program, which includes
research—an effort sponsored by Project 13 partner St. Jude. Team WDCAC making available applications to public,
concluded this year’s fundraising drive in early October and collected over private, charter, and parochial high school
$2,400 thanks to the generous donations of team participants, chapter seniors in Washington D.C., as well as,
members, and supporters such as the Delta Housing Corporation of the recommending students for the chapter’s
District of Columbia. scholarships.
As described in the “WDCAC in Action” section of this newsletter, the This year, the Scholarship Committee
committee also organized a group of chapter sorors to volunteer their time contacted and provided 53 high schools (19
at another Project 13-sponsored event—the American Diabetes DCPS, 17 DC Public Charter Schools, and 17 DC
Association’s Game On, Greater Washington, in partnership with the Private/Parochial Schools) and 23 community
Washington Redskins. In describing the chapter’s participation in the St. organizations with Scholarship Applications for
Jude Run/Walk and the American Diabetes Association service projects, distribution to high school seniors who live
Soror Turner noted that the activities provided sorors with “fun and and attend school in the District of Columbia.
fulfilling experiences and a great chance to build bonds with other chapter
members.” She added, “at the same time, we were able to support the Scholarship recipients were notified in late
mission of these organizations and advance the Sorority’s commitment to April of their selections with scholarship
strengthening these strategic partnerships.” awards presented at the Chapter’s Community
Forum and Scholarship Awards Ceremony held
The committee also helped support Delta’s commitment to public service in May. During this year’s ceremony, WDCAC
by organizing the chapter’s participation in additional community-based awarded over $25,000 in new and continuing
events, including the other projects described in the “WDCAC in Action” scholarships. The chapter also awarded five
section as well as a final activity for this calendar year—volunteering at trunk scholarships which consisted of essential
DC’s Food and Friends, a local non-profit organization that provides meals items, e.g., towels, sheets, iron, laundry
to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life- supplies and toiletry items, which students
challenging illnesses. will need when they begin college.
While the committee is committed to helping those in our community who
face challenges, especially our most vulnerable populations, the
committee also is impacted by its own challenges. Those challenges are
increasing the number of chapter sorors who participate in outreach
activities and identifying and implementing programs that extend into
underserved areas of the city. The latter of the challenges, as reflected on
by the co-chairs, is also the committee’s “single-most opportunity,
followed by the opportunity to build collaboration with other committees
and organizations to integrate our resources and potentially increase our
impact in the community.”
Clearly, the committee continues to be focused on mobilizing to make a
difference in the community!
Note: The Community Mobilization Committee meets the first Thu1rs7day of each
month at 6:30 pm at Delta Towers. Mobilize and join the committee to make a
difference in our community!
WDCAC’s My Cry in the Dark Committee was awarded a 2016 Centennial Program Planning and Development Grant
Fund in collaboration with the Delta Research and Educational Fund (DREF) towards our Mental Health Across the
Lifespan Initiatives. In particular our committee was awarded a grant to support an anti-bullying summit within
Washington DC in an effort to raise awareness on the psychological and physical harm that bullying can cause and
to pave the path to a safer and more aware community for youth in the District of Columbia to live and thrive. Our
project is aimed at assisting local middle schools in creating anti-bullying task forces within their schools that will
work to develop anti-bullying strategies for their student population and local community. Excitingly, this project
has taken an innovative approach to addressing this pervasive problem impacting schools and communities
throughout the country by introducing the arts (spoken word, drawing and acting) as tools to help students
productively address bullying while simultaneously providing a mechanism for self-expression. Finally, this project
is helping to create a bridge and stronger working relationships between students, parents, educators, and
community partners to collaboratively work to address and diminish the issue of bullying within the Washington DC
community. Our anti-bullying summit is scheduled for Wednesday June 28, 2017 at Johnson Middle School in
Washington, DC.
Another key highlight of the Mental Health Across the Lifespan is successful aging. The Washington DC Alumnae
Chapter’s My Cry in the Dark Committee is committed to not only providing tools and resources to chapter
members but also to the community at large. As a result, this year the chapter decided to utilize technology and a
motivational speaker to help disseminate these successful tips that are correlated with positive mental health
during the aging process. This free video series is titled “Growing Gracefully” and it features Trina Ramsey, a
career and life strategist, who actually shares personal anecdotes, positive affirmations and practical tips on living
fiercely during the inevitable aging process. Regardless of the season in one’s life, this empowering series of videos
will feed women’s minds, bodies and spirits. (Please see attachment for brochure about and links to video series).
In addition, the My Cry in the Dark Committee embarked upon a proactive social media campaign designed to raise
awareness about Mental Health within the African American committee. This campaign even included the
dissemination of a few committee authored articles on celebrating successful holidays solo. In addition, one of the
videos that the chapter disseminated was actually highlighted by Soror President Paulette C. Walker in the April
edition of the 25th word. The video titled, “Snapping the Chain: Ending Mental Health Stigma in the African
American Community” can be viewed at this link https://youtu.be/ZcqtFlLNSa4.
This sorority year, the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter’s My Cry in the Dark Committee has demonstrated a
fearless and proactive approach to raising awareness and starting the dialogue regarding mental health across the
The Video Links for the Growing Gracefully Video Series are as follows.
Other promotional materials are attached as separate documents.
Growing Gracefully Part 1
https://youtu.be/VsfRKm2L8go
Growing Gracefully Part 2
https://youtu.be/ImIiW6KDk-k
Growing Gracefully Part 3
https://youtu.be/l07EvcoVM38
Growing Gracefully Part 4
https://youtu.be/0cYT9W5b6Xw
Growing Gracefully Park 5
https://youtu.b18e/qGPdfgLDIWU
Full Growing Gracefully Video
https://youtu.be/-PSdnfP10Lg
Embracing EDUCATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
WDCAC’s Community Mobilization Committee is responsible for
coordinating Delta’s Project 13 initiative at the local level. As the Project Scholarship Program
13 initiative is designed to strengthen Delta’s ties to the community while
demonstrating our sisterhood’s collective power of service, the committee Enhancing the lives of residents of the District
plays a critical role in mobilizing sorors to make a difference in the of Columbia, acknowledging educational
communities we serve. The Community Mobilization Committee also has achievement, and encouraging continued
responsibility for coordinating service projects such as Comcast Cares and academic pursuits are primary objectives of
the Angel Tree Project as well as identifying and recommending additional WDCAC’s annual scholarship program that
community outreach activities for participation by chapter sorors (e.g., recognizes graduating high school students
Food and Friends, Special Olympics, Prom Dress Project, Back to Work with who are residents of Washington, D.C. and
New Endeavors, etc.). prior WDCAC scholarship recipients who
display academic excellence, community
Under the leadership of co-chairs Keturah Raabe and Karen Turner for the service, leadership skills, and who choose to
current sorority year, WDCAC’s Community Mobilization Committee has attend an institution of higher learning.
been actively working within the community to make a difference. In
September, for instance, the committee organized a team to participate in WDCAC’s Scholarship Committee administers
the 2016 St. Jude 5k Run/Walk to raise money to fund pediatric cancer the scholarship program, which includes
research—an effort sponsored by Project 13 partner St. Jude. Team WDCAC making available applications to public,
concluded this year’s fundraising drive in early October and collected over private, charter, and parochial high school
$2,400 thanks to the generous donations of team participants, chapter seniors in Washington D.C., as well as,
members, and supporters such as the Delta Housing Corporation of the recommending students for the chapter’s
District of Columbia. scholarships.
As described in the “WDCAC in Action” section of this newsletter, the This year, the Scholarship Committee
committee also organized a group of chapter sorors to volunteer their time contacted and provided 53 high schools (19
at another Project 13-sponsored event—the American Diabetes DCPS, 17 DC Public Charter Schools, and 17 DC
Association’s Game On, Greater Washington, in partnership with the Private/Parochial Schools) and 23 community
Washington Redskins. In describing the chapter’s participation in the St. organizations with Scholarship Applications for
Jude Run/Walk and the American Diabetes Association service projects, distribution to high school seniors who live
Soror Turner noted that the activities provided sorors with “fun and and attend school in the District of Columbia.
fulfilling experiences and a great chance to build bonds with other chapter
members.” She added, “at the same time, we were able to support the Scholarship recipients were notified in late
mission of these organizations and advance the Sorority’s commitment to April of their selections with scholarship
strengthening these strategic partnerships.” awards presented at the Chapter’s Community
Forum and Scholarship Awards Ceremony held
The committee also helped support Delta’s commitment to public service in May. During this year’s ceremony, WDCAC
by organizing the chapter’s participation in additional community-based awarded over $25,000 in new and continuing
events, including the other projects described in the “WDCAC in Action” scholarships. The chapter also awarded five
section as well as a final activity for this calendar year—volunteering at trunk scholarships which consisted of essential
DC’s Food and Friends, a local non-profit organization that provides meals items, e.g., towels, sheets, iron, laundry
to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life- supplies and toiletry items, which students
challenging illnesses. will need when they begin college.
While the committee is committed to helping those in our community who
face challenges, especially our most vulnerable populations, the
committee also is impacted by its own challenges. Those challenges are
increasing the number of chapter sorors who participate in outreach
activities and identifying and implementing programs that extend into
underserved areas of the city. The latter of the challenges, as reflected on
by the co-chairs, is also the committee’s “single-most opportunity,
followed by the opportunity to build collaboration with other committees
and organizations to integrate our resources and potentially increase our
impact in the community.”
Clearly, the committee continues to be focused on mobilizing to make a
difference in the community!
Note: The Community Mobilization Committee meets the first Thu1rs9day of each
month at 6:30 pm at Delta Towers. Mobilize and join the committee to make a
difference in our community!
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