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A
Delta Woman...Can You Handle It?
Do
You Remember Why You Pledged?
I dream about a love so strong,
I fantasize the circle songs.
I imagine a bond that spans the globe,
I'd wear the crimson and cream robe.
I dream the dream that sisters do,
to walk amongst the twenty two.
To sit atop the Pyramid,
and dream the dreams Naomi did.
When I awaken from this mood,
I see myself as Fortitude.
The message that this dream has sent to
proudly ride the elephant.
And send to you my love Soror
for you to dream as I've before.
The
Delta Girl
By Soror Mary McCleod-Bethune
The Delta Girl "is one who has been given the opportunity of education and broad development:
She is one who has enjoyed the privileges of culture and selected environment...
It is pleasing to a heartfelt depth to see her not as self-centered,
not desirous of selfish power, not wanting the plaudits of people,
not wanting glory but with a purpose which directs her activities
and all that she may control toward lifting somebody else."
A
Delta Woman...Can You Handle It???
By Lisa Crutchfield Diggs
We wanted to have a positive influence on the lives of Black women,
but our current organization placed restrictions and opposition to political and social awareness.
Out of this struggle, a change emerged to do the right thing.
We are the 22 visionary founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.!
These are my Sorors!
I was Delta's 1st distinguished honorary member,
I was also an honorary member as well as, a pioneer for equal rights for women,
My legacy continues in every Delta woman through the Delta Oath.
I am Gabrielle Pelham, Nannie H. Burroughs, and Mary Church Terrell
And These are my Sorors!
I didn't stop there!
I founded a university in Florida,
opened my home in Harlem to babies with AIDS,
and led Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for 10 years a National President.
I am Mary McLeod- Bethune, Clara Hale and Dorothy I. Height
These are my Sorors!
My voice can be heard through song all over the world.
I may be singing sultry jazz,
awakening gospel,
or I may be "Killing You Softly".
I am Nancy Wilson, Shirley Ceasar, and Roberta Flack
And these are my Sorors!
In 1964 I stood before the Democratic Convention and let the world know that
"I was sick and tired of being sick and tired!"
Well, I was the 1st Black woman elected to the United States Senate, That's impressive but,
I was the 1st Black woman to seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
I am Fannie Lou Hamer, Carol Moseley-Braun, and Shirley Chishom
Did I mention that these are my Sorors!
Last time you saw me, I may have been wearing crimson and cream.
You thought I just looked good but, now you know I was representing 86 years of courage and purity.
I am a Delta!
So, when I put on the symbols of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
I am proud to follow the example and accept the challenge that has been set before me.
I haven't achieved world fame .. yet!
But I'm on my way because --
Those are my Sorors!
Now that you know what a Delta woman is ... Can you handle the responsibility?
The
Delta Woman
Lovely creature
Hand made by God
Smooth-spoken woman
Modeling and serving
She is conspicuous as a growing seed
She is solid as a rock
She is as wayfaring as an ant
She stirs, serves, and hastes on.
Lovely creature
Hand made by God
Smooth-spoken woman
Constant and valiant
Come wind, come rain
Comes no discouragement
She is relentless
Her vowed intent
She is a strong woman!
Lovely creature
Hand made by God
Smooth-spoken woman
No task will she flee
This is right, for you see,
She is a Delta!
Lovely creature
Hand made by God
Smooth-spoken woman
No hobglobin nor foul fiend
Can daunt her fine spirit.
So, she labors night and day;
Being ever true to herself,
Being ever true to Delta!
Distinguished
By Paula Marshall
Distinctive, devoted, delightful, dedicated
women of distinction,
carrying themselves proud yet humble
as the young girl is surrounded by the elders,
she gazes at these...
women of distinction,
dreaming that someday
she could be like them too
honored, revered,
cherished and loved,
yet with all the love and honoring they receive
they carry themselves with more humility than you and me
those are the women of distinction
they pass through a crowd and stand out
only because they know what it is to live with and without
they know what it is to work hard without recognition
as they ripened on the tree and their flowers bloomed
they hung gently from the tree
suddenly to be noticed by you and me
because that is not what they're all about
but because you can't ignore the doctors, the lawyers,
the dreamers who live the dream
the aspiring women who created hope in us
the women who would not stay on the back of the bus
the warriors when no one else would fight
the leaders when few wanted to follow
This is to say thanks to those who made it possible
for me to be here today,
living my dream among the crop as the cream.
This poem is dedicated to our 22 illustrious founders.
Do
You Just Belong?
Are you an active member,
The kind that would be missed?
Or are you just content
That your name is on the list?
Do you attend the meetings
And mingle with the flock?
Or do you stay at home
To criticize and knock?
Do you take an active part
To help the work along?
Or are you satisfied
To only just belong?
Do you work with your committee
And get right in and mix?
Or leave the work to just a few
And talk about the "cliques?"
Think this over, member--
You know right from wrong!
Are you an active member
Or do you just belong?
Do
You Remember Why You Pledged?
By Soror Ayanna Card -- Auburn Alumnae Chapter
What in the world made you want to pledge?
Did you think Delta was the cutting edge?
Did you want to step on the yard while singing and saying chants?
Did you want a house full of ducks and elephants?
Did you want "suddenly loyal" subjects and new permanent friends?
Did you want attention from all sorts of men?
Did you want to stroll at all the parties?
While perfect strangers parted like the Red Sea?
Were you dying to put on that shirt that says,
"I'm a Delta, look at me!"
Were you a legacy and felt that Delta was owed to you?
Were the AKAs not as popular and you didn't see anyone wearing white and blue?
No matter your reason, you've crossed the sands.
You now give long, tight hugs and know what to do when a Soror takes your hand.
Now that you are here, reality is told.
There is PUBLIC SERVICE to be done, all that glittered wasn't gold.
To step in that show, you must be a part of a team.
Your patience and precious time is required to realize that dream.
Your new friends you thought were so loyal and true,
Have put your connections to use trying to BE you.
When jealousy breaks through your stroll line it
"Makes You Wanna Holla",
And Lord, that shirt costs about $50.
There are projects to be planned,
money needed to follow them through,
And sometimes all that work falls directly on you.
You fight and fuss to make your dissatisfaction feel true,
But for every complaint, a counter complaint is directed at you.
So now you're frustrated, thinking,
"This is not how it's supposed to be",
But as you head for the door for good, you remember Jewel #3.
You work through the details and reach a logical decision,
Then every detail is followed through with accuracy and precision.
And when it's all over, praises of Delta come from everyone's voice.
You sit back and smile knowing you've made the right choice.
You forget the reasons you came and rejoice in the fact
that you've arrived. . .
Then you head for the party with your Sorors at your side.
I
Wonder If They Knew
By Soror Rona Morris -- Founder's Day '99
Eighty-six years prior to this day
Twenty-two women paved the way
for sistas like me...and her...and her...
DELTA WOMEN!
Beautiful, strong, dignified, college educated, driven women of courage.
But don't sleep!
They paved the way for you, too.
They marched for women's suffrage,
rallied in the political arena,
and participated in a revolution of change in the black community.
Forever reaching out with open arms to uplift society.
DELTAS
Women of variety...Actress, Accountant, Teacher, Preacher, Musician, Politician,
Physician, Biologist, Psychologist...WHEW!
THERE IS NO END TO THIS LIST!
86 Years
4,472 Weeks
31,390 Days of DELTA!!!!!!!!!!!
Who are we my sisters and me...
On the surface you may choose to see
stepping, oo-oops, and crimson and cream.
But take a closer look you are guaranteed to find
hard working women with brilliant minds.
Today marks the last Founders' Day of this century
But Deltas will continue to make history.
I wonder if they knew,
if they could foresee
how great DELTA SIGMA THETA would come to be!
One
True Delta
Jumond Greene
A Woman of love, peace, and happiness
With a passionate, burning dream
To become one of the women
Who wears the Crimson and Cream
Her heart, like the elephant
Is as strong as can be
While, like the pyramid, she has three sides
One side for them, one side for you, and always one side for me
Her love for DST
Was evident from the start
When asked why be a Delta?
She said, “It's just in my heart!”
With the wind to her back
And God's presence there just the same
Her dream reached reality
And a Delta she became
So she will wear the Crimson and Cream
And it will be there to stay
Because she will be “One True Delta”
Until her last dying day
Violets
Soror Marie Johnson -Hartford Alumnae Chapter
Like Deltas, Violets must be individually selected
You cannot grab a handful without damaging some of them.
They cannot be roughly picked or picked in a hurry.
Like Deltas, the Violet is not the kind of flower that
Shows off its fullest beauty standing alone, but is
Naturally gregarious and looks best in natural clusters.
However, like Deltas, the Violet can stand alone and
Still reflect beauty.
Like Deltas, despite the violet's that has passed its
Allotted time for blooming retains the dignity and coloration
That bespeaks its exclusive culture.
True
Sisterhood
Soror Theresa M. Cain
sisterhood is not just the combination of Greek letters
the beauty of crimson and cream
it's about friendship and trust
sharing hopes and dreams
it doesn't lie in the depths of pledges, songs and played parts
it's what lies deep within the depths of our hearts
for each other
growing together
becoming strong, as one
helping each other, building each other
to withstand and overcome
supporting your sister when she is in need
wiping her tears and easing her pain when she bleeds
being a shoulder to lean on in times of despair
letting her know that you'll always be there
sisterhood is not just strolls and dancing at parties
the fun you have at step shows
it's the warmth and affection you have for each other
and the relationships that grow
it's the tug at your heart when she's going through
it's you doing what you can do to help her pull through
sharing her burdens and easing the load she may bare
it's about being consistent and showing your care
some think sisterhood is about colors and letters
but those that know what true sisterhood is knows better
it's about sharing a history, common goals, a past
wanting to make monumental changes that will survive and last
knowing to make a difference you have to struggle and fight
uniting as a strong force exhibiting might
wearing Greek letters and dancing a stroll
does not make sisterhood
your just playing a role
it's what lies in the depths of each true Delta's heart
it's what pulled us to Minerva's breast and kept us from the start
the promise of helping and serving for the good
of not only ourselves but mankind
yes, all brotherhood
giving to the community what we have been blessed to receive
making a difference in other lives
helping them to believe
not only in themselves but a great success
Delta is about giving more not giving less
so next time your posing for picture a two
take a look around at your Sorors and see if this ring true
affection, care, and the need to give it all
is what should cross your mind
when you hear that OO-OOOPPPP call
you shouldn't think about who works your nerves
or crawls under your skin
but you should automatically see the beauty which lies within
tears should come to your eyes
for the experiences you've shared
what has brought us all together
the same trials we have bared
sisterhood again is not what others
on the outside see
it's about what we feel within our hearts
for that beautiful D.S.T.
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