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A resolution recognizing the contributions of Delta Sigma Theta to public service and designating March 3 as Delta Day in Nashville and Davidson County.
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WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (“Delta”), is a private, not-for-profit Black Greek-Letter Organization of college-educated women committed to sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta’s programs address economic and educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement of Black women and Black communities; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta currently has more than 300,000 members in over 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters in the United States and other countries around the world; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 young women who were students at Howard University, one of the nation’s most distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (“HBCU”s); and
WHEREAS, on March 3, 1913, founding Delta member Osceola Adams led fellow Deltas down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., in a march for women’s voting rights -- the sorority’s first public act in a century-long history of civil rights activism; and
WHEREAS, Deltas today continue a legacy of being involved and engaged citizens through a variety of social action activities, such as annual Delta Days planned by the Washington, D.C. Alumnae Chapter to host Deltas and policymakers in forums, briefings, and advocacy skills workshops focused on local and national issues important to Black women and Black communities; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta was recognized by the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization and, as a result, is able to offer expert analysis on issues relevant to the status of women and children worldwide; and
WHEREAS, since 1995, U.S. presidents have annually proclaimed March as Women’s History Month to celebrate the achievements of women in the U.S. in many fields, including social activism; and
WHEREAS, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. issued a proclamation on February 28, 2022, for Women’s History Month, which included his statement that “Black women fought to end slavery, advocate for civil rights, and pass the Voting Rights Act” and that “suffragists helped pass the 19th Amendment to the Constitution so that no American could be denied a vote on the basis of sex”; and
WHEREAS, President Biden continued that “despite the progress being made, women and girls --especially women and girls of color, still face systemic barriers to full participation and wider gaps in opportunity and equality”; and
WHEREAS, the designation of a day is fitting to commemorate the early days of Delta Sigma Theta advocacy and the continued impact that Delta advocacy can have on Nashville communities, especially Black communities; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council go on record as recognizing the contributions of Delta Sigma Theta to Nashville and Davidson County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Delta Sigma Theta for their contributions to Nashville and Davidson County and declaring March 3 as Delta Day in Nashville.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.