About us

Chapter History

The Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service sorority, is rich in its heritage and rich in its depth of leadership and services. The Chapter is a member of the largest of sororities organized by African American women. Initially, the chapter was listed under the nomenclature of Alpha Chi Sigma Chapter.

The idea of organizing the chapter in Mississippi grew out of a group of close friends who had been active members of undergraduate chapters in other states: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio and Texas. They needed eight Deltas to charter the chapter and after a long delay, on May 3, 1941; Clara Marjorie Allen, Willie Dobbs Blackburn, Elese Whitiker Blackman, Emily Johnson Hall, Thelma Weathers Johnson, Loraine G. Crawford, Nellie Burbridge Williams, and Aurelia Norris Young made history. The chartering ceremony was held in the home of Aurelia Norris Young, with the Southern Regional Director, Helen “Dolly” Work, conducting the ceremony. Aurelia Norris Young was elected the first Chapter President. Since the chapter’s chartering, these ladies of vision have attracted many well-known women and outstanding students to become members of the sisterhood.

Chapter History

Past Presidents 

Gwendolyn Handy

Gwendolyn Handy

Immediate Past President

Aurelia Norris Young*
1941-1943

Henrine Knaive*
1943-1945

Gladys Noel Bates*
1945-1947

Emily Johnson Hall**
1947-1948

Willie Dobbs Blackburn*
1948-1951

Nellie Burbridge Williams**
1951-1953

Lucille Price*
1953-1955

Cleopatra Thompson*
1955-1957

Maxine Bell Powell
1957-1959

Aurelia Norris Young*
1959-1960

Ernestine Lipscomb*
1960-1961

Barbara Beadle Barber*
1961-1963

Ruth Boler Johnson
1963-1964

Gwendolyn Nero Loper
1964-1965

Sara Brown Jamison*
1965-1967

Gloria Paige
1967-1968

Verna Polk Curtis
1968-1970

Sandra Powell
1970-1974

Vera Polk Allen
1974-1976

Kisiah Waller Nolan
1976-1980

Brenda Wolfe Middleton
1980-1982

Alma Pendleton Laster*
1982-1984

Orthella Polk Moman
1984-1986

Bennie S. Henderson

1986-1988

Limmie McQuirter Flowers
1988-1990

Elaine Gage Johnson
1990-1992

Barbara Beadle Barber
1992-1994

Dorothy T. Terry
1994-1998

Mary Hill
1998-2002

Orbra H. Porter
2002-2004

Carshena L. Bailey
2004-2008

Erma J. Johnson
2008-2012

Julia Crockett
2012-2016

Denise Griffin-Whittington
2016-2020

charter* deceased*