With birthday cake and African violets, the Gamma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority celebrated its 90th anniversary celebration as "a glorious affair."
That was the name of the celebration of DST's "90 years of excellence" that took place last Saturday in the Bodek Lounge. The luncheon included an homage to the sorority's history, an art show and an address by its 16th national president, Thelma Thomas Daley.
"It's a big thing to reach 90 years as an organization, much less a chapter," said DST chapter president and College senior Danielle Branch.
The sorority has more than 300 chapters and 200,000 members worldwide, said Daley, who added that above all DST is "an educational culture service organization."
Daley explained that the African violet -- the sorority's signature flower - is a symbol of DST members' strength and humility.
During the event, each sorority member and alumna wore the flower pinned to her chest - including the Gamma chapter's oldest alumna, 99-year-old Lillian O'Daniels, who graduated in 1945.
Guests were invited into Houston Hall to visit an art show, a table filled with DST merchandise and a display of photographic panels relaying the sorority's history.
The Gamma chapter of DST - the third of its kind nationally - was chartered in March 1918 by five students including Sadie Alexander, who later became the sorority's first national president.
The Gamma chapter was deactivated in 1999, but it was brought back in 2003 and has been "a viable and vibrant part of not only the Multicultural Greek Council but also the Greek community as a whole" ever since, said program coordinator of fraternity and sorority affairs Larry Moses.
But the highlight of the afternoon was the passionate speech given by Daley herself after the luncheon.
In her address, Daley spoke warmly about her Delta sisters past and present, "who portray beauty and pride and intellect, and who are the best of the best."
She urged the audience to be authentic and caring, to "keep your eye on the apex," and to "hold fast the legacy" of DST.
She reminded the guests that just 90 years ago Sadie Alexander ate her lunch on the steps of Houston Hall - she was not permitted to eat in the cafeteria because she was black - and marvelled at how far her sisters have come since that day.
"By being a part of DST, I inherited an extra legacy that actually parallels the history of the United States and the world," said Vice Provost for Student Life Valerie Swain-Cade McCollum, who was in another DST chapter as an undergraduate.
Daley concluded her speech by reciting a spin on a poem by Sterling Brown. "Strong women keep a coming and a coming and a coming," she said. "And the women get stronger and stronger and stronger."
After a standing ovation, the current Gamma chapter sisters presented Daley with a bronze statue of Lady Fortitude.
College senior and MGC president Jocelyn Chandler said the event was a huge success.
"[The sisters of DST] have done a wonderful job," said Moses. "They carry the honor and tradition of not only the chapter but also their national organization very proudly."
