Orangeburg members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will commemorate the founding of the 94-year-old service organization at a Founders Day event at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 in the fellowship hall of Andrew Chapel Baptist Church.

Delta National President Louise A. Rice, Ph.D., of Augusta, Ga., will deliver the keynote Founders Day message to members of Alpha Xi Chapter (South Carolina State) and Gamma Chi Chapter (Claflin).

Rice, a former college professor, will address the sorority’s current biennial theme: “One Mission, One Sisterhood: Empowering Communities through Committed Service.”

“I am very eager to celebrate the sorority’s founding with my sisters,” Rice said. “Sharing this special occasion this year reflects much more than our traditional observance of Delta’s heritage.”

DST has made a major commitment to three historically black colleges and universities that were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Collectively $700,000 will be awarded to Dillard, Xavier and Southern Universities over the next four years.

Rice said the Delta National Executive Board and its Hurricane Relief Task Force stipulated that major financial contributions be made to the HBCUs affected by Hurricane Katrina.

At Delta’s 48th national convention in Philadelphia last summer, Dr. Victor Ukpolo, chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans, received the first installment of $100,000 for Delta’s Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair Award.

Since its inception, the sorority has been committed to public education. In keeping with this commitment, the sorority will sponsor an education symposium in New Orleans on May 18-19.

Additionally, on March 10, Deltas worldwide are expected to participate in Community Empowerment Day and render service in their communities in one of the sorority’s five key areas: economic development, education, health, international affairs and social justice.

Delta Sigma Theta, the largest African-American women’s organization, is engaged in promoting health and wellness by encouraging its members and others to make lifestyle adjustments to prevent and/or manage diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other health disorders.

A current program initiative of the sorority is the “Lose to Win” healthy lifestyle program which charts the course for Deltas and women in their local communities to maintain healthy living, i.e. weight loss, nutrition, and exercise regimens.

During phase one, nearly 200 chapters entered the “Total Woman Healthy Competition” and lost an estimated 20,000 pounds using a variety of methods to implement personal lifestyle changes.

As the program continues, Deltas will make health decisions that will impact not only their own lives, but also the lives of their loved ones for years to come.

In addition to striving for physical health, the sorority is encouraging Deltas and community members to achieve and maintain mental health wellness by eliminating stress in their lives caused by financial woes.

Making sound financial decisions through its newest economic development program, Financial Fortitude, is a current major initiative sponsored by Delta.

A major component of the economic development program is The Delta Challenge: Homeownership Initiative.

“Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is resolutely determined to help empower African-Americans by providing tools and information that will enable them to become homeowners, an important aspect of wealth building,” said the DST national president.

DST, founded on Jan. 13, 1913, by 22 women at Howard University in Washington, now has more than 900 chapters in 46 states and abroad. Its extensive programming centers on five key areas: economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement.

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