National Social Action Overview

Delta is social action.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, not- for- profit organization whose purpose is to aid and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. Since its founding at Howard University in 1913, more than 350,000 women have joined the organization. The organization is a sisterhood of predominantly Black, college-educated women. The Sorority currently has 1000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, Canada, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, West Africa, Southern Africa, United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom.
Since its inception 35 years ago, Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital provides an opportunity for members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to participate in the nation’s public policy-making process. This annual conference includes legislative briefings, issue forums and advocacy skills development. Featured speakers include key policy makers, members of the United States Congress, Congressional staff members and national issue experts.

 

VOTING & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

S.4  JOHN R. LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT ACT OF 2024

To amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which States and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the Act, and for other purposes.

H.R.239 SAME DAY REGISTRATION ACT OF 2023

To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to
require States to provide same-day registration..

H.R.51/S.51 WASHINGTON, D.C. ADMISSION АСТ

To provide for the admission of the state of Washington D.C. into the Union.

 

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

H.R.561 EQUAL ACCESS TO ABORTION COVERAGE IN HEALTH INSURANCE ACT OF 2023

The bill requires federal health care programs to provide coverage for abortion services and requires federal facilities to provide access to those services.

H.R.782 ENSURING WOMEN’S RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT

To prohibit the interference, under color of State law, with the provision of interstate abortion services and for other purposes.

 

EDUCATION

H.R.703 BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY ACT

To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to carry out educational programs that include the history of peoples of African descent in the settling and founding of America.

H.R.6592 FIGHT BOOK BANS ACT

To authorize the Secretary of Education to provide grants to local educational agencies to cover the costs of challenges to determinations not to discontinue the use of specific instructional materials, or the availability of specific school library materials, in public elementary and secondary schools, and for other purposes.

 

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

H.R.1167 & S.96 JUSTICE FOR BLACK FARMERS ACT OF 2023

To address the history of discrimination against Black farmers and ranchers, to require reforms Within the Department of Agriculture to prevent future discrimination and for other purposes.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

H.R.1230 FOOD DESERTS ACT

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to States to support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities, and for other purposes.

 

HEALTH EQUITY

H.RES.185 DECLARING RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS 

This resolution declares racism a public health crisis and supports efforts to address health disparities and inequities across all sectors.

H.R.982 PREGNANT WOMEN IN CUSTODY ACT
To address the health needs of incarcerated women related to pregnancy and childbirth and for other purposes.
H.R.6716 HEALTHY MATERNITY AND OBSTETRIC MEDICINE ACT OR HEALTHY MOM ACT

To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a special enrollment period for pregnant women.

 

REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY 

The Sorority supports legislation that increases accountability of law enforcement misconduct, restricts the use of certain policing practices, and enhances transparency and data collection, and establishes best practices and training requirements like the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021.

H.R.698/S.25 ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN OF 2023

To regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes.

H.R.613 WAYNE FORD RACIAL IMPACT STATEMENT ACT OF 2023

To establish a process for the creation of minority impact assessments to determine whether pending bills, if enacted, are likely to create or exacerbate disparate outcomes among racial or ethnic minority
groups and for other purposes. 

H.R.6828 BRITTANY CLARDY MISSING AND MURDERED BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS ACT

To establish within the Department of Justice an Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls.

 

HONORING SHIRLEY CHISHOLM H.R.1073

To direct the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to purchase a statute of Shirley Chisholm for
placement in the United States Capitol.

H.R.1088 SHIRLEY CHISHOLM GOLD MEDAL ACT

To posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm.

 

Calling All Doctors, Nurses, Green Thumbs, Voters, and Detectives

We are “running to the front” of our priorities and need your help! Take a look below and click here if you would like to help in any of these areas:

 

Brittany Clardy Missing Murdered Black Women and Girls Act: H.R. 6828

In 2013, 18-year-old Brittany Clardy went missing and her body was later found in a towed-away car. Over the last two weeks, in Mecklenburg county, two Black women were brutally murdered and one 17-year-old was found after being forced into prostitution.

Charlotte Alumnae Chapter is partnering with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and state officials to assist with ensuring there are policies and procedures in place to increase the chances of bringing missing women and girls home alive.

Click here to learn more about this story.

 

Justice for Black Farmers: H.R. 1167 & S. 96


Historically, Black farmers held almost 25% of farms in North Carolina; now it’s less than 3% due to legal and social barriers to land ownership, and discrimination from banks and the government for loans, credits, and subsidies.

There are several Black owned farms and farmers in Mecklenburg County who are responsible for addressing food insecurities in our community but receive inequitable support. We will advocate by ensuring that they have access to information and are heard by our elected officials.

 

Pregnant Women in Custody Act: H.R. 982  

We are partnering with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office to advocate for women who are pregnant and currently incarcerated.

To date, there are five incarcerated women who we can serve by reviewing policy, ensuring that they receive adequate care and education, and working collaboratively to reduce the risk of infant and maternal mortality.

 

Delta Days In The City

Delta Days In The City will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

 

 

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has created Delta for Women in Action (D4) as an independent 501(c)(4), Delta-affiliated, nonprofit social welfare and advocacy organization.

As a newly created and independent 501(c)(4) social welfare and advocacy organization, D4 Women in Action constitutes a vehicle through which the public policy objectives, legislative priorities and targeted candidacies for public office which are reflected in and valued by the legacy of Delta can be significantly enhanced in a concerted and sustained manner. D4 Women in Action seeks to enhance the political presence of Black women in the public policy, legislative and political arenas, and to build a pipeline of Black women engaged in enhanced, concerted and sustained social action, civic engagement and involvement in public affairs and the political process.

 

Delta Research and Educational Foundation - Women's Funding Network

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. established the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF) as a public charity supporting scholastic achievement, public service programs, and research initiatives focused upon African American women.

Today, DREF remains strong, vibrant, and poised to meet 21st-century challenges with the same unwavering spirit and dedication the Sorority originally envisioned. Our charge to realize social and economic equality for future generations of African American women continues as our guiding principle.

Over the years, Delta Research and Educational Foundation has directed its charitable giving to program initiatives reflected in our founding mission. Whether Delta-inspired national collaborations, or local Delta chapter initiatives; each program grant addresses our values-based objective to find sustainable solutions that increase economic opportunity, and create boundless possibilities for African American women, now and into the future.

We carry out our mission through:

  • Fund development,
  • Grant-making and program partnerships,
  • Charitable giving services for local Delta chapters,
  • Community-based project support, and
  • Research and public dialogue on socioeconomic policy issues.

Partnerships for Change

Through partnerships, DREF maximizes the effectiveness of its financial resources, while heightening community awareness, and offering life-changing experiences to the people we serve. Our resource-leveraging strategy not only expands our programmatic reach but also broadens the base of concern and involvement on issues affecting the lives of African American women, our families, and our communities.

Our Living Legacy

The Delta Research and Educational Foundation’s Center for Research on African American Women holds the distinction of being the first-of-its-kind repository of information about the social and economic characteristics of African American women. Established in 1997, and co-sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Center examines the complex factors influencing African American women’s lives. Research findings are released during The Center’s Annual Forum or published in The Center’s scholarly journal. The Center’s Fellowship program contributes to the vitality and timeliness of its work and ensures that focused research on issues affecting African American women continues uninterrupted.