OO-OOP! Did You Know These Celeb Women Are Deltas?

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on Howard University’s campus on January 13, 1913. The 22 women who founded this organization have gone on to become educators, lawmakers, entrepreneurs, community supporters and more. There are also many women who are members of Delta Sigma Theta that we may or may not know. The following are a small few of the women who were initiated during their college days.

Barbara Jordan

Houston native and former U.S House of Representatives member Barbara Jordan was a graduate of Texas Southern University. She not only graduated Magna Cum Laude, but she was also initiated in the Delta Gamma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Blazing her own trail, she went on to study at Boston University School of Law and was the first Black Texas State Senator for District 11. She unfortunately passed on in January of 1996 at 59 years of age, but left a great standing legacy for ALL women.

Mara Brock Akil

Born in LA, but raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Mara Brock Akil is apart of the super producer/writing team, along with her husband, Salim Akil behind many of our favorite shows/movies, such as the newly released Sparkle, “The Game” and OUR favorite female-anthemed sitcom “Girlfriends.” During her studies at Northwestern University, Akil also became a member of the Theta Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. What’s next for this media mogul? A new TV production starring Gabrielle Union called “Being Mary Jane” on BET this fall, along with developing other content for the network!

Adrienne-Joi (A.J.) Johnson

Remember School Daze? Remember House Party? Do you even remember K-Ci and JoJo’s reality show on TVOne called “K-CI and Jojo Come Clean,” where they had a celebrity trainer help them get into shape? Well, A.J. Johnson is her name and this Spelman College Alum has made her life a living testimony through her fitness and wellness coaching. She was also initiated into the Eta Kappa chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. while attending Spelman College, graduating with honors! She’s now a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and consistently trains celebrities and others.

Natalie Cole

“This will be…an everlasting love!” Who knew that Natalie Cole was initiated during her stint at USC into the Upsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc? Her angelic and magnetic voice has been with us for over 30 years and within the past year, she’s released a memoir entitled, Love Brought Me Back. After nine Grammys and multiple other accolades, there is a lot to be happy about! Surely, Delta Sigma Theta is her “everlasting love.”

Dorothy Height

Considered the “Godmother” of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Dorothy Height was a key component with the Movement by organizing “Wednesdays in Mississippi,” which helped integrate African-American and Caucasian-American women to develop a dialogue amongst one another. Dr. Height fought for women’s rights as well as African-Americans’ rights and still showcased her work by volunteering for the National Council of Negro Women, then served as their National President for 40 years. She was the 10th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for 11 years and was an active member until her passing in 2010.

Kym Whitley

Actress, comedienne and former talk show hostess Kym Whitley attended Fisk University where she became an initiate of Delta Sigma Theta’s Alpha Beta chapter. She has hosted talk-shows with Oh Drama! and with Brian McKnight on “The Brian McKnight Show,” along with co-headlining Ladies Night Live! at The Comedy Union in LA with another Kim…Kim Coles, that is.

Robi Reed-Humes

The sketch comedy show “In Living Color” along with many of our favorite movies/TV shows like Next Day Air, The Best Man, Set It Off and Love Jones were all cast by Robi Reed-Humes, who just happens to be an initiate of the Gamma Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at Hampton University. A veteran casting director for 20+ years, she has kept her career steady with consistent work almost every year.

T’Keyah Crystal Keymah

Chicagoian actress, performer, and director T’Keyah Crystal Keymah has kept her longevity with her career with a variety of platforms: author, actress, comedienne, dancer, theater performer, singer, poet, etc.  With such a busy career, who knew that she is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., pledging at Florida A&M University’s Beta Alpha chapter?  She gives back by having a theater scholarship along with a medical scholarship in her name at Florida A&M University and Meharry Medical College to deserving students, so she is truly dedicated to serving her community!

Wilma Rudolph

Regarded as one of the fastest women in the world in track and field during the 1960 Olympics with three gold medals, Wilma Rudolph overcame many hardships in her life, from being born premature, to having a left leg brace during childhood because of polio. While in school in her home state of Tennessee, she was initiated into the Alpha Chi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at Tennessee State University. She passed away in 1994 due to brain cancer.

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