Chapter History
In the fall of 1941, seven young Delta women came together in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a shared vision of starting a graduate chapter. After months of planning and corresponding with the regional and national offices, these determined, strong, and spiritual sorors were granted the authority to establish the Beta Xi Sigma graduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. On June 13, 1942, Soror Marian Capps, Eastern Regional Director, met with the seven sorors and the first five initiates in the home of Soror Wilma Leona Williams and established Beta Xi Sigma, Graduate Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The official charter was issued on July 8, 1942.
The seven charter members were
- Mauvene Duga Alexander
- Julia Wyche Boulding
- O. Ray Nicholas Moore
- Roberta Douglas Thompkins
- Edna Stinson Robinson
- Wilma Leona Williams
- Geraldine Cabiness Daniels*
*Geraldine Cabiness Daniels, is only surviving charter member who is still active with the chapter.
The five initiates were Bobby Alexander, Gladys Greene, Grace Wiley, Kellene Wyche and Dorothy Stinson, the only living first initiate. The officers for this newly chartered chapter were as follows: Wilma L. Williams, President; Geraldine C. Daniels, Vice President; Edna S. Robinson, Secretary; and Mauvene D. Alexander, Treasurer.
The chapter immediately focused on community service projects with the establishment of a scholarship fund. In 1943, the first Jabberwock was held, providing funds for the first scholarship to be awarded to a local high school senior. Eventually, other projects were added which include the following: Adopt-a-Family, NAACP, YMCA, Good Samaritan Hospital (former all-black hospital), and WEETAP (Women’s Educational Equity Training and Assessment Project).
In 1947, Soror Elizabeth Adams Thompkins was the first soror of the chapter to contribute a song, “To Thee Our Sorority,” to the National Delta Song Book. The regions were reorganized in 1966, Beta Xi Sigma became the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter and a member of the newly created South Atlantic Region.
The chapter is proud of its many notable “firsts” in the city of Charlotte . We can boast of the first black female mortician, Soror Ruth Powell; the first black female high school principal, Soror Virginia Shadd; the first black female optometrist, Soror Paula Newsome. Soror Dorothy Counts-Scoggins was the first black student to integrate Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Soror Bertha Maxwell Roddey was the first Regional Director and National President from the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter.
The chapter has always been involved with regional and national activities, and currently has members serving on both levels.