Thus Began The Mission
In November 1959, Deltas from the Akron, Canton, and Massillon communities made application to the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta for the formation of the Akron-Canton Alumnae Chapter of the Sorority. The chapter application stated: “There is a need for a Chapter of D.S.T. in this community. The chapter will be located near Akron University and Kent State, both accredited and offering a continuing source for members. Akron and Canton are growing cities, thriving and increasingly progressive. New residents are always arriving.” In January 1960, the charter application was approved by the Midwest Regional Director, Frances M. Flippen, National Secretary, Anne L. Campbell, and the National President, Jeanne L. Noble.
On Friday, March 4, 1960, the Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was chartered in a closed ceremony in Canton, Ohio by the following Deltas who were the Charter members of the Chapter: Sorors Bernice G. Armour, Elizabeth Dantzler, Hilda V. Douglas, Elizabeth Evans, C. Joyce
Finley-Jackson, Benette C. McClellan, Guernia D. Morgan, Rebecca R Pennington, Ethel I. Phoenix, Lorene D. Pollard, Marie J. Slaughter, Viola Burke-Taylor, and Frances Kathaleen Welch. On Sunday, March 6, 1960, the Chapter held its first public presentation of the newly formed chapter at a special afternoon ceremony held at 5:00 p.m. at the historic Wesley Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (Akron’s oldest African-American Church where Dr. Eugene Morgan Jr., the husband of charter member Guernia Morgan, served as pastor).
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The Public presentation was entitled “Delta Comes to Akron-Canton” and was attended by hundreds of people. Program participants included Viola Burke-Taylor who provided the Organ Prelude and the Postlude, Guernia Morgan gave the invocation, Soror Hilda Douglas provided Greetings, Soror Rebecca Pennington introduced the speaker, and the address was delivered by Ethel Ramos Harris, former Delta National Officer, and a renowned musician. Marie Slaughter was the Mistress of Ceremonies. The first officers of the newly created chapter were: Hilda V. Douglas – President, Marie J. Slaughter – Vice President, Rebecca R. Pennington – Secretary (who also sent the charter application in and who sent the letters of Information to the charter members), C. Joyce Finley-Jackson – Treasurer, Guernia Morgan – Chaplain, Viola Burke-Taylor – Sergeant-at-Arms, Kathaleen Welch – Journalist, and Elizabeth Evans – Parliamentarian. The other members of the chapter were: Bernice Armour, Laura M. Bradford, Marian Crenshaw, Betty Dantzler, Ruby Foster, Ann Jones, Benette McClellan, Mozelle Meacham, Ethel Phoenix, Lorene Pollard, Patricia Turner, and Vendetta Wagner.
From the chartering of the Akron-Canton Alumnae Chapter, whose name was changed to the Akron Alumnae Chapter in 1988, the Chapter has been committed to involvement in public service missions in the community. Deltas are visible in their respective professions and they serve on the Boards of Directors and in other leadership roles for other organizations. Additionally, the Akron Alumnae Chapter and its members have been the recipients of many awards and honors for their commitment to public service.
Sisterhood Award (est.1978)
This award recognizes the outstanding love and dedication displayed by a Chapter member. Their participation is fueled by a love for her Akron Alumnae sisters and pure commitment to helping our chapter grow and succeed. As a member of Akron Alumnae, she embodies the Nine Cardinal Virtues and persuades others to model the words of our Oath just by her own behavior. The awardee is recognized by the Chapter at the closing meeting of the year.
Community Service Award
(est. 1986)
This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of members of the Akron Alumnae Chapter to advance the Sorority’s mission of public service. This chapter member is active both financially and through participation. This chapter member's contribution to public service could have been in conjunction with chapter programming or their efforts toward individual passions in the community, not as a responsibility of their salaried job. The awardees will be recognized by the Chapter at the closing meeting of the year.
Service Award
(est. 1986)
This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of members to the Akron Alumnae Chapter’s projects and activities. This chapter member is active both financially and through participation. As a member of Delta, she, in every respect, models for others the true meaning of a Delta in service for the advancement of the Sorority’s mission. The awardee will be recognized by the Chapter at the closing meeting of the year.
2024-26 Executive Board Members
President - Towanda Mullins
First Vice President - Jacqueline Jackson
Second Vice President - Carla Jackson
Recording Secretary - Robbie Connelly
Financial Secretary - Rownia Watson
Asst. Financial Secretary - Sheeba Marshall
Treasurer - DaNelle Dent
Asst. Treasurer - Claudester Stephens
Immediate Past President - Mary Outley
Internal Auditor - Angela Payden
Parliamentarian - Anita Davis
Chaplain - Lanetta Spencer
Corresponding Secretary - Kishaun King
Emergency Response Coordinator - Cynthia Bell, Jeannette Turner, Tarsha Woolridge
Sergeant-At-Arms - ReGinae Reynolds, Barbara Blash, Janie Foshnee
Journalist - Valecia Pickett
Nominating Chair - Eudora Grafferee-Robinson
Technology - Felicia McMiller
Social Media - Samantha Broaddus
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Past Presidents
Hildah Douglas (1960-61)
*Marie J Slaughter (1961-63)
*Guernia D. Morgan (1963-65)
C. Joyce Finley-Jackson (1965-67)
*Margaret Roberts (1967-69)
*Vivian Harris Clark (1969)
Sylvia A. Thompson (1969-72)
*Patricia Jones-Turner (1972-74)
*Brendah Powers (1974-76)
*Janice Knight Thompson (1976-78)
Shirley Smith Washington (1978-80)
Lois Lee Killings (1980-82)​​
Rose M. Skinner (1982-84)
Pamela R. Valentine (1984-88)
A. Trisa Long (1988-90)
Jacqueline Silas-Butler (1990-94)
Shirley Smith Washington (1994-98)
Francine E. Blake (1998-00)
Deborah A. Grimes (2000-04)
Jo Carol Shaw-Franklin (2004-08)
Linda F. R. Omobien (2008-10)
Torey Stewart (2010-14)
Angela Graves-Wescott (2014-16)
Lori Alamin (2016-20)
Mary Outley (2022-24)​
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​​​*Deceased
Delta Dears
Delta Dears are members of our Sisterhood who have been blessed to reach the golden age of 62 years. Dears include past presidents, committee chairpersons, officers, and Chapter members who are committed to making a difference in the Akron community.
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They come with a wealth of knowledge and history. We honor them, embrace their awesome legacy, and appreciate the shoulders on which we stand. As a Chapter, we want to pay tribute to our Delta Dears by supporting our very own Delta Dear Committee, whose mission it will be to serve the public, mentor the Divas and Dolls, and enjoy special activities tailored to their interests and needs.
Dreajean Brown
C. Joyce Finley-Johnson
Margaret Roberts
Mary Stewart
Dorothy Welch
Sandra Shaw
Joan Evans
Rownia Watson
Harriet Smith
Annette Grimes-Hammonds
Sylvia Thompson
Janie Foshee​