ABOUT DELTA
SORORITY HISTORY
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. Founded on January 13, 1913, by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University, the sorority has over 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Canada, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, West Africa, Southern African, United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea.
More than 10,000 members typically attend Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated’s biennial national conventions, and each of the seven regional conferences (held during years when there is no national convention) typically hosts thousands of members. During the Centennial Celebration, the 51st National Convention, held in the District of Columbia, more than 38,000 members registered and attended.
For more information, visit our national website at
GRAND BAHAMA ALUMNAE CHAPTER HISTORY & CHARTER INFO
After ten years of steadfast interest and planning, on the warm and sunny afternoon of April 18, 2009, the Grand Bahama Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was chartered becoming the 1015th chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
It was in 1999, when the idea of organizing an alumnae chapter in Grand Bahama was conceived in the minds of sorority members Shery Poitier and Denise Sherman. They believed that the community in which they lived could be greatly benefited by the ideals of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. With the assistance of then President of the Nassau Bahamas Alumnae
Chapter, Myra E. Mitchell, Soror Poitier compiled a list of sorors from Grand Bahama most of whom had not been active in the sorority since their undergraduate years. Through telephone conversations, letters, personal contacts, etc., they found an outpouring of interest from sorors anxious to become active Deltas and to commit to the establishment of a new chapter.
Soror Poitier assumed the task of organizing these sorors by forming an interest group that met on a regular basis. Attendance at meetings increased throughout the years. The idea of a new chapter in the Grand Bahama community generated a great deal of enthusiasm and motivation among sorors.
Following over 10 years of interest and planning, the Grand Bahama Alumnae Chapter was officially chartered on April 18th, 2009, becoming the 1015th chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is located in the Dynamic Southern Region. The Charter members included FOURTEEN DETERMINED VISIONARIES initiated from different eras and different chapters throughout the world but all with one goal:
Soror Rashan Brooks- Initiated in 2008, Upsilon Zeta Chapter at the College of the Bahamas: Nassau, Bahamas
Soror Chervita K. Campbell – Initiated in 2007, Nassau Bahamas Alumnae Chapter: Nassau, Bahamas
Soror Abigail Davis – Initiated in 1997, Gamma Lambda Chapter at Johnson C. Smith University: Charlotte, NC-USA
Soror Evelyn Glinton- Initiated in 1972, Alpha Beta Chapter at Fisk University: Nashville, TN-USA
Soror Bergit Godet- Initiated in 1994, Delta Alpha Chapter at Bethune-Cookman University: Daytona Beach, FL-USA
Soror Willette Ingraham- Initiated in 1984, Iota Omicron Chapter at the University of Central Oklahoma: Edmond, OK-USA
Soror Janika Johnson- Initiated in 2007, Zeta Tau Chapter at Florida Memorial University: Miami Gardens, FL-USA
Soror Shavonna Laing- Initiated in 2007; Upsilon Zeta Chapter at the College of the Bahamas: Nassau, Bahamas
Soror Genea Noel- Initiated in 2007, Gamma Chi Chapter at Claflin University: Orangeburg, SC-USA
Soror Shery V. Poitier- Initiated in 1993; Xi Delta Chapter at the University of West Alabama: Livingston, Alabama-USA
Soror Tamala Rigby-Simmons- Initiated in 2001; Orangeburg Alumnae Chapter: Orangeburg, SC-USA
Soror Shasheena B. Rolle – Initiated in 2007, Zeta Tau Chapter at Florida Memorial University: Miami Gardens, FL-USA
Soror Denise Sherman- Initiated 1979; Alpha Beta Chapter at Fisk University: Nashville, TN-USA
Soror Mavis Ward- Initiated 1972; Alpha Beta Chapter at Fisk University: Nashville, TN-USA
The official ceremony was conducted by Southern Regional Director, Christine M. Nixon. Soror Nixon was assisted by
Andrea Pelt-Thornton, South Florida and the Bahamas State Coordinator, and Shantell Cox-Hutchinson, President of Nassau Bahamas Alumnae Chapter.
The charter officers were:
President – Chervita K. Campbell
Vice President – Shery V. Poitier
Secretary – Genea Noel
Treasurer – Denise Sherman
Financial Secretary – Shavonna Laing
Chaplain – Evelyn Glinton
Sergeant-at-Arms – Mavis Ingraham-Ward
During this eventful day, tremendous congratulations and sisterly support was extended by visitors from the following chapters: Nassau Bahamas Alumnae: Shantell Cox-Hutchinson (President), Myra E. Mitchell (Past President), Cindy Williams -Rahming, Beverly Smith Whitfield, a 63 year in Delta; Orlando Alumnae: Traci Smith – Kimes, First Vice President and member Regional Chapter and Member Development Committee; Members at Large: Martha Edgecombe and Whitney Armbrister of Freeport, Grand Bahama. Following the ceremony marking the official birth of the Grand Bahama Alumnae Chapter, an elegant reception was hosted at the home of Soror Mavis Ward. Grand Bahama Alumnae Chapter was celebrated by community leaders and representatives from various Greek letter organizations. Since its chartering, the Grand Bahama Alumnae Chapter has initiated many award-winning programs in the local community in support of Delta’s mission and ideals of Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service and Social Action. Some of these programs include our annual Diabetes Awareness Health Fair, Reach for The Stars Most Improved Primary Student, The Elimination of Violence Against Women Orange Campaign; Housing Ownership Maintenance and Education Fair; and Financial Fortitude.
