From their sorority house in northwest Detroit, the women of the Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. have done many good deeds. They have sponsored programs to help the homeless, to assist grandparents raising grandchildren, used their voices to entrance children through storytelling, and funded hundreds of college scholarships.

Next weekend, they sponsor their biggest fund-raiser of the year -- the Ebony Fashion Fair which brings astounding, provocative dress from world-renowned designers to a Detroit stage.

Anitta Orr, president of the Detroit Alumnae Chapter, wants the sorority to do even more good work in Detroit neighborhoods, so that people will say, "The Deltas helped us do this."

Anitta became a Delta 44 years ago as a student at Western Michigan University. She's a former Detroit public school teacher of the speech and language-impaired.

The sorority's Detroit chapter has more than 800 members, representing college graduates from across the country. Most are initiated at colleges, but many join as graduate alumnae.

Tiffany Douglas, a LaSalle Bank vice president for community development, is one of the chapter's newest members. She was initiated last spring. Unlike the others, Tiffany wasn't a sorority member in college.

"I've been trying to be a Delta my whole life," says Tiffany, the married mother of a 17-month-old son. "It's an outstanding organization of dedicated and dynamic, primarily African-American professional women."

"It's a beautiful process of women coming together to demonstrate caring for each other and work in a collaborative manner, and to stand up for social justice and community change," Tiffany says.

Tiffany is connecting with "sorors" -- such as longtime members Leona Fisher and Rosecile Smith.

Each member remains committed to community service, which is the core value of the organization.

Leona, a former director of the sorority chapter choir, pledged at Fisk University in Nashville. She taught performing arts in Detroit schools. Her 50 years as a Delta, Leona says, have "been a wonderful experience of doing everything."

Rosecile pledged the sorority at Wayne State University. Rosecile has been an account executive for Fashion Fair Cosmetics for 20 years, managing accounts at Macy's and Lord & Taylor.

"When I started WSU, I knew nothing about sororities," Rosecile says. "I just knew that I liked the colors red and white." While the sorority's colors first caught her eye, Rosecile says what drew her to join was "what the sorority stood for."

Because she's a Delta, says Rosecile, "I feel I can always make a difference."

This article was provided by: Freep
Written by: Patricia Montemurri