The Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. held its annual Founders Day celebration recently.
Chapter members attended a re-dedication ceremony and luncheon Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Pine Bluff Country Club. Deborah Campbell Bland, president of the Marianna Area Alumnae Chapter and coordinator of Arkansas Membership Services, spoke at the luncheon. Bland, a retired state of Arkansas employee who served as a public school administrative program advisor among other positions, currently serves as a life coach, using her skills to encourage, motivate and empower those with whom she comes in contact. She is married to Vandell Bland, and they are parents of two sons, Vandell Jr., and Jeremy.
The weekend celebration culminates with a 10 a.m. church service Sunday, Jan. 11, at First Trinity Temple Church of God in Christ followed by a luncheon.
Other activities during the founding month include a Jan. 19 observance of Martin Luther King Day and a Jan. 24 forum entitled Shades dealing with attitudes regarding skin color.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was founded Jan. 13, 1913, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Its 22 founders envisioned and established a public service sorority based on Christian principles. Its scope of involvement includes educational development, economic development, political awareness and involvement, international awareness and involvement and physical and mental health programs.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
More than 800 chapters in the United States, the Caribbean and Africa continue that mandate under the leadership of Dr. Paulette C. Walker, national president. The two local chapters are Pine Bluff Alumnae, led by President Kelly Bryant, and Delta Eta at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, led by Zakiyyah Marshall.
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Correction: Due to incorrect information submitted to The Commercial, a previous version of this story listed incorrect dates for the celebration.