22 reasons why I love being a Delta

"ENCORE"
EPSILON OMICRON
SPRING '04
#4

Today, my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrates its 103rd founding anniversary!

Our history: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. These students: Winona Cargile Alexander, Madree Penn White,

Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Vashti Turley Murphy, Ethel Cuff Black, Frederica Chase Dodd, Osceola Macarthy Adams, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Edna Brown Coleman, Edith Motte Young, Marguerite Young Alexander, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Eliza P. Shippen, Zephyr Chisom Carter, Myra Davis Hemmings, Mamie Reddy Rose, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Florence Letcher Toms, Olive Jones, Jessie McGuire Dent, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, and Ethel Carr Watson wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to those in need.

On this day, I always reflect on why I love being a part of this organization and what it means to me. Here are 22 (in honor of our Founders) reasons why I love being a Delta

1. Our first act of service was the Women’s Suffrage March. All 22 founders marched; the only African American women’s organization to participate.
2. We’ve been feminists for 103 years.
3. The word Delta means change. We excel at it.
4. The mission of Delta aligns with my purpose. It speaks to me, too.
5. Epsilon Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was the first African-American sorority at BGSU. 
6. I inherited the “leadership gene” because I’m #woodcountymade. Soror Beverly E. Smith and Soror Carol Ware are prime examples.
7. I learned the art and importance of “let it roll.”
8. My skin is thicker because of Delta.
9. My sorors inspire me, hold me accountable, and humble me.
10. I learned sisterhood.
11. The founders wanted to focus on the community/public service. 
12. Our members are LEADERS in EVERY INDUSTRY AND FIELD.
13. DST is a public service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of African Americans and, hence, all Americans.
14. The Sorority uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement to create its national programs.
15. The soror who wrote my letter has been a leader in pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years.
16. We are the the largest African-American Greek-lettered organization.
17. Dorothy Irene Height, “Godmother of the civil-rights movement” 
18. Speaking of trailblazers, my soror Mary Church Terrell was one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree. Dope.
19. My Dean made sure we knew the history of the organization AND of the other Greek letter organizations so that we can see how rich ours is.
20. Crimson and creme is a cool combo with a great meaning.
21. I have fond memories of reading In Search of Sisterhood my freshman year, but only during winter break!
22. “Lady Fortitude” sculpture symbolizes the attributes of strength, courage, hope, wisdom, beauty and femininity as depicted by the 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

HAPPY FOUNDERS DAY, SORORS! OO-OOP

"Intentional" Playlist

Keeping with my 2016 word of INTENTIONAL, I decided to put together a playlist of music that collectively represents my words. The songs on the playlist are both inspirational and motivational. The lyrics are celebratory, expectant, hopeful, and loving. I’ve been listening to it every day for the past 3 weeks during my commute to and from work.

You can also listen to the "Intentional" playlist by Sharonda on Apple Music.

My Intentional Playlist

1. Believe by Brian Courtney Wilson <--ON REPEAT
2. Bless This House (feat. Take 6) by Brian McKnight
3. Break Every Chain (Live) by Tasha Cobbs
4. Bright by Kehlani
5. Brown Skin Girl by Leon Bridges
6. Confidence (Live) by Tasha Cobbs
7. Countdown by Beyonce
8. Down for You by (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid) by Kehlani
9. Exceptional by Babyface
10. Fill Me Up by Tasha Cobbs
11. Forever, For Always, For Love (Live) by Lalah Hathaway
12. I Was Here by Beyonce
13. I’d Do It Again (feat. Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr., William Murphy III, Bryan Pierce) Tasha Cobbs
14. Intentional by Travis Greene <--ON REPEAT
15. It Ain’t Over by Maurette Brown Clark
16. Let It Burn by Jazmine Sullivan
17. Masterpiece (Mona Lisa) by Jazmine Sullivan
18. Million by Tink
19. Prepared by Jill Scott
20. Put a Praise On It (featuring Kierra Sheard) by Tasha Cobbs
21. Smile by V. Bozeman
22. That One (feat. Anthony Hamilton) Teedra Moses
23. This is My Praise by The Walls Group
24. You Were Meant For Me by Lalah Hathaway
25. You’re My Everything (feat. Bilal & Jazmine Sullivan) Robert Glasper

My word for 2016

Ever since I was introduced to Susannah Conway’s Unraveling workbook, I’ve been sending it to my friends and family like I’m her brand ambassador. In a sense, I am exactly that. I love the positive energy that comes from reflecting on the year that’s passing and plotting out steps for the next 12 months.

Part of the Unraveling workbook makes you choose a word for the year. As Susannah puts it, your word is “a mantra, a meditation, a reminder, a promise. A word can be interpreted in different ways. A word can’t be “broken” — it feels gentler somehow.” I agree.

My words in the past have been a powerful force that helped guide me through the year. When I did or said anything, I thought, “Does this fall in line with your word for the year?” I definitely fell short sometimes, but having a word for the year helped me get back on track.

In 2015, I was all about the word “order.”

My 2016 word is INTENTIONAL. I realize that when I make a conscious effort to do or say something, the results are very powerful. And now that my inner light is back, I need to focus on protecting who and what is in my space. What I’m doing, saying, participating in, and visiting, reading and loving all need to be intentional so that I can maintain and spread this light. My intentions will send my light to places, people and things in a way that surpasses how I have in the past.

I asked a few of my friends to share their word with me and why they chose it. Here’s a bit of what they shared:

• Adventure: I want to be unusual and exciting in every aspect of my life: career, relationship, spirituality. I want to try something new and keep it fresh!

• Cultivation: Every year, I focus on something new, but this year, I want to sharpen my skills and hone my craft. I want to build upon my strengths.

• Driven: My vision board is all about taking a conscious effort on my part. I wanted to remind myself that I need to work hard to achieve everything I want. 

• Expectancy: I need to work more on really expecting good things to happen instead of worrying about it not.

• Fierce: I want to have a sense of urgency that forces me to focus.

• Legacy: I just started a family and I’m thinking about how to start and carry on traditions.

• Magic: “Life is tricky baby. Stay in your magic.” I’m often reminded how impactful my energy is and this year, I know the atmosphere feels different. 

• Manifest: I'm learning that after I get understanding, then it's time for me to bring it forth into the physical.

• Release: I want to let go of resentment and hurt from my past. I want to be free to love myself.

• Yes: A simple word with lot of meaning.

WHAT'S YOUR WORD FOR 2016?