[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 23, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY INC. KAPPA CHAPTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2021

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Delta 
Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Kappa Chapter on their Centennial 
anniversary.
  Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was founded in 1913 by 22 collegiate 
women at Howard University and is now an international sisterhood of 
over 350,000 predominantly Black, college educated women who are 
dedicated to providing public service through education, community 
outreach, and development in their communities across the globe.
  On February 21, 1921, Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority 
Inc. was charted. It became the first Black Greek-letter organization 
west of the Rocky Mountains. 100 years ago, during a time when 
universities across the country refused to admit Black students, seven 
dedicated and dauntless women from UC Berkeley, San Francisco State, 
and San Jose State came together to charter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority 
Inc., Kappa Chapter. Vivian Osborne Marsh, Gladys Brown, Creola Cook, 
Elizabeth Gordon, Louise Thompson Patterson, Onilda Taylor, and Myrtle 
Price.
  They remained a ``city-wide'' chapter until the 1960's.
  The chapter's first President, Vivian Osborne Marsh, went on to 
become Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.'s 7th National President. 
Throughout her life she worked to promote literacy and provide 
opportunities for underprivileged teenagers and children. In honor of 
her service and their Centennial Kappa Chapter has created the ``Vivian 
Osborne Marsh, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Kappa Chapter Endowed 
Scholarship Fund.'' This is the first endowed scholarship created by 
any Greek Letter Organization at UC Berkeley. The $100,000 fund will 
generate scholarships for Black students at UC Berkeley for years to 
come.
  Over the last 100 years Kappa Chapter and its members have continued 
a legacy of service to the Black community and to those in need. 
Current members have made exceptional efforts to promote health for 
women of color, social justice, professionalism, and the empowerment of 
Black women on campus in the greater community. Kappa Chapter has gone 
above and beyond to engage and inform the community by hosting programs 
that discuss important topics likes COVID-19, Holistic Health, Black 
love, relationships, womanhood, empowerment, de-stigmatizing HIV/AIDS 
in the Black Community, and social justice.
  Today we celebrate 100 years of commitment to change. From the legacy 
of Kappa Chapter's charter members to its current membership and newest 
initiates Karsyn Terry, Christine Harris, Symone Gilliam, and Robynne 
Oliver the legacy continues to grow.
  On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I want to 
extend my sincere congratulations on this important milestone of 100 
years. I thank Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Chapter for 
their commitment to sisterhood, scholarship, and service. Their history 
of empowering black women will forever be important to Black history 
and I look forward to witnessing the accomplishments that will define 
your next 100 years.

                          ____________________