Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Celebrates A Century of Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the nation's largest African-American women's organization, announced today that it will commemorate its founding with a series of celebration which began Thursday, July 11 to Wednesday, July 17 in Washington, D.C. During the weeklong celebration thousands of Delta Sigma Theta members will recommit to its programs and honor the legacy of the organization's 22 founders. Numerous events are planned throughout the week to pay homage to 22 women who founded the sorority at Howard University on January 13, 1913.

"As we celebrate 100 years of service to the world we are excited to commemorate our 22 founders who took on the toughest challenges to transform lives and impact communities at a time when the country was undergoing dynamic changes," said Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, national president of Delta Sigma Theta. "The founders' presence will be felt all over the globe as Delta Sigma Theta women bring their spirit of public service and social activism to the nation's capital."

Featured guest speakers and performers include: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder as well as R & B singers Patti LaBelle, India Arie and Roberta Flack, who is a Delta Soror and graduate of Howard University. Additionally, Delta Sigma Theta has created an exciting new mobile app just for this historical event. The app allows registered members to get instant schedule updates and convention announcements as soon as they happen.

Special centennial events will include the following:

            The Friday, July 12 Opening Day events include:

            National Mall – Lincoln Memorial

            Welcome Event on the National Mall, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

            Delta Torch Lighting Ceremony,12:40 p.m.

            Hon. Vincent Gray, Mayor, Washington, D.C. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

            Performance by Doug E. Fresh and Brandi, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

            Verizon Center

            Step Show with Featured Emcees Nephew Tommy of the Steve Harvey Morning 
            Show and Comedian and Actress Kym Whitley, 8 p.m. – 11 p.m

               Saturday, July 13 – Verizon Center
               Signature Gala/Delta Centennial Honors Concert
               Featured performances by: Patti LaBelle, India Arie, Sweet Honey in the Rock 
               and Roberta Flack 
               8 p.m. – 11 p.m.

               Sunday, July 14 – Verizon Center
               Ecumenical Worship Service
               Featured guest speaker: Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
               9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
               Verizon Center

               Gospel Concert
               Featured performances by: Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Byron Cage and 
               The Joe Johnson Band

               Monday, July 15 – Washington Convention Center
               Social Action Luncheon 
               Featured guest speaker: 82^nd Attorney General of the U.S. Eric Holder and civil 
               rights leader and Baptist Minister Dr. Bernice King 
               12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

               Tuesday, July 16 – Washington Convention Center
               Featured guest speaker: TBD – Closed Session
               5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

               Literary Cafe
               Featured guest performance: Chante Moore
               9 p.m. – 11 p.m.

On January 1, 2013 Delta Sigma Theta kicked off its 100^th anniversary with the lighting of the sorority's official torch in Los Angeles launching a 22-city Delta Torch Tour. Throughout the year, 22 cities, representing the sorority's founders and past and present founders, have participated in the celebratory events that included the Centennial Founders Day Weekend and Women's Suffrage March. The tour will culminate in Washington, D.C. with the lighting of the torch on July 12 to kick off the organization's 51^st National Convention where members will work to promote political awareness and involvement in voter's rights, health reform, equal education and economic development.

To learn more about the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority visit the sorority's corporate website Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dstinc1913 or follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DSTinc1913. To join the conversation on Twitter use #DST100.

SOURCE Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.