Res 0488-2023

Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (Delta), is a private, not-for-profit Black Greek-Letter Organization (BGLO) of college-educated women committed to sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action; and Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta's programs address the economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement of Black women and Black communities; and Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta currently has more than 300,000 members in over 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters in the United States (U.S.) and other countries around the world; and Whereas, New York City (NYC) is the home of the first Graduate Chapter (New York alumnae) of Delta Sigma Theta, and there are currently 12 alumnae chapters and 10 collegiate chapters under the New York Metropolitan Coordinating Council; and Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 young women who were students at Howard University, one of the nation's most distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Whereas, On March 3, 1913, founding Delta member Osceola Adams led fellow Deltas down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., in a march for women's voting rights-the sorority's first public act in a century-long history of civil rights activism; and Whereas, Eventually, Osceola Adams brought her talents and leadership to New York City and became one of the first Black actresses on Broadway and the Director of the Harlem School of the Arts; and Whereas, As Delta Barbara Jordan, the first Black American to serve in the U.S. Congress from the South since Reconstruction, said at the sorority's 31st biennial National Convention in 1971, "[t]he uninvolved, disengaged citizen has no place in America"; and Whereas, Deltas in government service in New York have included legendary Brooklynite Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress (1969-1983), and now include New York City Council members; and Whereas, Deltas today continue a legacy of being involved and engaged citizens through a variety of social action activities, such as annual Delta Days planned by the Washington, D.C. Alumnae Chapter to host Deltas and policymakers in forums, briefings, and advocacy skills workshops focused on local and national issues important to Black women and Black communities; and Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta was recognized by the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and, as a result, is able to offer expert analysis on issues relevant to the status of women and children worldwide ; and Whereas, Since 1995, U.S. presidents have annually proclaimed March as Women's History Month to celebrate the achievements of women in the U.S. in many fields, including social activism; and Whereas, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. issued a proclamation on February 28, 2022, for Women's History Month, which included his statement that "Black women fought to end slavery, advocate for civil rights, and pass the Voting Rights Act" and that "[s]uffragists helped pass the 19the Amendment to the Constitution so that no American could be denied a vote on the basis of sex"; and Whereas, President Biden continued that "despite the progress being made, women and girls-especially women and girls of color-still face systemic barriers to full participation and wider gaps in opportunity and equality"; and Whereas, The designation of a day is fitting to commemorate the early days of Delta Sigma Theta advocacy and the continued impact that Delta advocacy can have on NYC communities, especially Black communities; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes the contributions of Delta Sigma Theta to public service by designating March 3 annually as Delta Day in the City of New York. LS #11730 and #12127 1/24/23 RHP 2