[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 28 (Friday, February 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOLEDO CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA 
                             THETA SORORITY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 11, 2022

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Toledo 
Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Its members will gather in a 
special celebration in Toledo, Ohio on Saturday February 12, 2022 to 
celebrate this milestone occasion.
  Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is an organization of college educated 
women dedicated to public service and the development of women, with a 
focus on the Black community. Its world-wide services offer support 
through the organization's ``Five-Point Programmatic Thrust: Economic 
Development; Educational Development; International Awareness and 
Involvement; Physical and Mental Health; and Political Awareness and 
Involvement.''
  Since its founding, more than 350,000 women have been part of Delta 
Sigma Theta Sorority. The sorority currently has over 1,000 collegiate 
and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Canada, Japan, 
Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the 
Republic of Korea, the Arabian Gulf, Southern Africa, and Western 
Africa. Among the chapters is one in Toledo, Ohio.
  The Toledo chapter notes in its history: ``In 1937, the first chapter 
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in Toledo, Ohio was formed by seven 
young women. They were Louise Burgette, Mamie Duffy, Lillian Duffy, 
Constance Heslip, Mayola Senior, Ella P. Stewart, and Frances Wade. 
Beta Lambda Mixed Chapter consisted of undergraduates at The University 
Toledo, Mary Manse College and graduates residing in the city.''
  ``On February 12, 1972, Lillian P. Benbow, the National President of 
Delta Sigma Theta, came to Toledo to establish the Alumnae Chapter. The 
graduate members formed the Toledo Alumnae Chapter and Beta Lambda 
became the city-wide undergraduate collegiate chapter.''
  ``Delta has been involved in numerous activities that emphasize 
scholarship, public service, and international involvement. Breakfast 
for M'Lady has been its annual fundraiser for years at which graduating 
high school seniors are awarded scholarships. The chapter has also 
sponsored a Habitat for Humanity house in Africa. Voter registration 
activities, mentoring and tutoring children through its Delta Academy 
programs, sponsoring and participating in mental and physical health 
awareness events are just some of the ways the chapter has given back 
to our community.''
  Civil rights and social justice icon Angela Davis encouraged ``We 
must always attempt to lift as we climb.'' For fifty years, the members 
of the Toledo Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta have done just that. Always 
in pursuit of higher goals through the generations, the women of the 
chapter have grown and nurtured future leaders. As they look back on a 
half-century of progress, I know they are inspired toward the next.

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