List of Delta Sigma Theta National Conventions


Sorority, Inc. is an international organization of college-educated women. Originally established for women of color, Delta Sigma Theta now has membership that includes women of all races. Delta Sigma Theta is the largest single organization historically founded for and by Black Women in the United States. Founded on January 13, 1913 at Howard University by twenty-two visionary collegiate students, Delta Sigma Theta is the first African American Greek lettered organization for women founded on the principles of servings others and political activity. Delta Sigma Theta held its first national convention in 1919 in Washington, D.C. The national body of Delta Sigma Theta previously met annually, but due to a number of factors, the main of which is the establishment of regions and regional leadership, the National body currently meets at biennial conventions, and regional conferences are held for each individual region in the years in which conventions are not held. This list of Delta Sigma Theta National Conventions includes dates on which the conventions were held, host cities, and general themes and major accomplishments of each convention.
NumberLocationDatesSignificant outcomesRefs
1stHoward University, Washington, D.C.27.12.1919Three of existing five chapters present. Plans made to nationalize.
2ndWilberforce University, Wilberforce, OhioConvention authorized The Delta Journal; Honorary Members; The Delta May Week and its slogan, "Invest in Education"; and Alumnae Chapters.
3rdUniversity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaCommittee on Standards appointed, also Committee on Scholastic Grades. Hosted by Gamma chapter.
4thChicago, IllinoisConvention authorized a Scholarship Award Fund and a College Tuition Loan Fund
5thColumbus, Ohio-Honorary membership accorded Mary M. Bethune. Alpha Phi Alpha convention in Columbus at same time. Hosted by Epsilon chapter.
6thYWCA on 137th street, New York City, New York-Delta Sigma Theta Hymn adopted. Hosted by Delta Sigma Theta New York Alumni Chapter.
7thDes Moines, Iowa-Regional Conferences established. Revision of nomenclature for chapters.
8thCincinnati, OhioFirst drive against inactivity in chapters.
9thWashington, D.C.Strengthened program. Appointment of a National Vigilance Committee
10thPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThe First Biennial Convention. Policies set for internal organization.
11thNashville, TennesseeFirst mixed Chapter authorized
12thChicago, IllinoisIncreased concern for standards. "B" rated schools accepted for Delta.
13thLos Angeles, California-Office of Executive Secretary created, not to be filled for some time.
14thCleveland, Ohio-Much dissension about internal affairs.
15thSt. James Presbyterian Church, Harlem, New York City, New York-Theme:"Broader Horizon for the Youth of Tomorrow" 114 chapters represented. All chapters required to take membership in NAACP. More support enlisted for Urban League. National officers cautioned to report only "facts," not "sentiment." Hosted by Delta Sigma Theta New York Alumni Chapter.
16thDetroit, Michigan-Grand President delivered address on "Social Maturity." Mary Bethune pointed to the need for Delta service in the war crisis. Particular stress on the service programs.
17thWilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio-Convention was a year late because of war emergency. Petition was made by undergraduates to be represented on Executive Board. Gloria Hewlett was chosen as the first undergraduate Second Vice-President.
18thRichmond, Virginia-First Convention with a theme: "Design for Living in a New Age." Much concern for the Delta program. Eslanda Goode Robeson, wife of Paul Robeson gave speech about Africa.
19thSan Antonio, Texas-Resolution to call on Congress to admit to the U.S. 100,000 selected refugees and displaced persons for the next four years in addition to the regular quota. Formal adoption and copyright of the name Jabberwock.
20thKiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri-Theme:"Human Rights - Our Challenge - Our Responsibility" Resolution to admit any qualified woman to Delta Sigma Theta, regardless of race, creed, or nationality. Creation of a Public Relations Board
21stUniversity of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California-Theme: "Human Rights, from Charter to Practice." Workshops geared to theme.
22ndCleveland, Ohio-Establishment of a National Headquarters. Reorganization of modus operandi-therefore called: The Mending Conference. The position of Executive Director now approved.
23rdRoosevelt Hotel, New York City, New York-20 8 1954*Concern for undergraduate status and problems. The "blackball" abolished. Dorothy Height re-elected in "harmony move". Hosted by Delta Sigma Theta New York Alumni Chapter.
24thDetroit Michigan-Theme: "Windows on the World." Revision of nomenclature. Graduate chapters thereafter to be known as alumnae chapters. The Member-at-Large category proposed. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered speech.
25thWashington, D.C.-Theme: "The Challenge of Changing Patterns." An evaluating of the past and planning for the future. Plans made for the Golden Anniversary Period. The Member-at-Large category adopted. Approximately 1,000 attendees. Held Jointly with Alpha Kappa Alpha
26thPalmer House Hotel, Chicago, Illinois-Theme: "The Creative Life in Freedom and Dignity." Resolution to complete the Maternity Wing of the Chania Medical Center in Kenya, West Africa. Resolution to support the stand taken by young Negro Americans to secure equal rights.
27thAmericana Hotel, New York City, New York-"The Golden Anniversary Jubilee" Theme:"The Past Is Prologue" Decision to participate in March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. Vote to launch voter registration drive among Negros. Hosted by Delta Sigma Theta New York Alumni Chapter.
28thAmbassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California-Theme: "The Woman's Role in Civil Rights and War on Poverty"
29thCincinnati, Ohio-
30thBaltimore, Maryland-Theme:“One Nation or Two?,.. One Nation!”
31stHouston, Texas-
32ndAtlanta, GeorgiaCongresswoman Barbara Jordan delivered speech.
33rdSeattle, WashingtonPremiere of "Countdown at Kusini" starring Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee
34thDenver, Colorado
35thNew Orleans, Louisiana
36thWashington Sheraton, Washington, D.C.-
37thDetroit, Michigan-Resolutions: Step up Black voter registration. Promote economically solvency of Women
38thDallas, Texas
39thSan Francisco, California-75th Diamond Jubilee.
40thMiami, Florida
41stBaltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MarylandTheme: "The Delta Launch 2000: A New Leadership for A New Century"
42ndSt. Louis, Missouri-Plans to build/rehabilitate houses through Habitat For Humanity
43rdOrlando, Florida-Co-hosted by Orlando Alumnae chapter
44thHilton New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana-
45thMcCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois-Nearly 15,000 attendees.
46thGeorgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia-
47thMGM Grand Las Vegas and Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada-Theme:"Keeping the Connection, Building on the Past and Focusing on the Future" 12,000 attendees. Originally planned for San Diego, moved due to passage of California Proposition 209.
48thPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania-Theme: "One Mission, One Sisterhood: Empowering Communities Through Committed Service"
49thOrlando, Florida-Theme: "One Mission, One Sisterhood: Empowering Communities Through Committed Service" More than 15,000 attendees.
50thNew Orleans, Louisiana-Theme: "Delta Sigma Theta - A Sisterhood Called to Serve: Transforming Lives, Impacting Communities" More than 12,000 attendees.
51stWashington, District of Columbia-Theme: Centennial Celebration.
52ndHouston, Texas-Theme: “Uncompromising Commitment to Communities: Service, Leadership, Empowerment.”
53rdLas Vegas, Nevada-Theme: “ ”
54thNew Orleans, LA-Theme: “ Joy in our Sisterhood, Power in our Voice and Service in our Heart ” Convention ended two days early, on July 12, 2019, due to Caregory 1 Hurricane Barry, and the Sorority donated 17,000 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank for those in need.
55thAtlanta, Georgia-Theme: “ TBD ”