On December 21, 1943, a new chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was officially established. Beta Pi Sigma, now Portsmouth Alumnae Chapter, was chartered under National President Elsie Austin and Eastern Regional Director Marian Palmer Capps.
Portsmouth Alumnae affirms its commitment to public service through Delta’s Five-Point Program Thrust: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, Political Awareness and Involvement. In the 1980s and 1990s, the chapter continued to carry out the programs established on the national and international levels that included Habitat for Humanity, School America, a local and Jamaican Adopt-a-School Program, Delta Day at the Capitol, and the Delta Academy. Other activities included youth workshops, adult seminars, volunteer services at William T. Hall for senior citizens, support of the NAACP, and the Oasis feed the hungry project. Annually, the chapter awards three scholarships totaling $4,000 and contributes to the United Negro College Fund. Portsmouth Alumnae affirms its commitment to Delta’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust and has received recognition and awards for its outstanding programs and projects which provide public service in voter education and registration, health awareness, political involvement, and the increase of minority memberships on local boards and commissions throughout the City of Portsmouth.
Charter Members
Sultana D. Andrews
Edna R. Bland
Margaret Jackson Bond
Thelma Dunston Chappelle
C. Florentine Davis
Hattie Durant
Treva Goins
Louise Elliott Hill
Muriel Johnson
M. Elouise Norcom Majette
Geneva Quick
Dorothy M. Parker Richardson
Ethelyn R. Strong
Bessie Watkins
Dulcie Watts
Virginia D. Wood
Gentelia Johnson Wright
Visit Delta Sigma Theta’s national website at www.deltasigmatheta.org.
Visit the South Atlantic Region’s Website at www.dstsouthatlanticregion.org.