Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
2025 Colorado Statewide
Founders Day Prayer Breakfast
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Greetings, My Sorors of Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Incorporated!
Welcome to the Charismatic and Courageous Central Region and the Colorful, Mountainous State of Colorado. I am honored to welcome you to the 2025 Statewide Founders Day as the Colorado State Coordinator. I am humbled by this opportunity to serve alongside you. On this special occasion of Founders Day, we have a grand opportunity to remember the tenacity of our twenty-two Founders, our devotion to Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Incorporated, and our commitment to the communities we serve.
As we reflect, our Founders were amazing women with a clear vision for change.They left us with an undeniable task: to make our communities stronger through the work of public service.We must, like Nehemiah, "stay on the wall" and honor them with our continued commitment to serve.
The prayer breakfast is an opportunity to reflect on and immerse us in God’sWord, the work ahead, and the warmth of our sisterhood.This gathering gives us another chance to reconnect, inspire, and reaffirm our commitment to the virtues that unite us.
Happy Founders Day, Sorors!
Your Sister Servant,
Sandra Graham
Colorado
State Coordinator
Founders Day Committee Co-Chair
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Program Agenda
“Sisterhood
United in Prayer, Commitment and Love”
Occasion/Introduction of the Dais - Sandra Graham, Colorado State Coordinator
Welcome - Alice Arline, Denver Alumnae Chapter President
Opening Prayer - Monica Brown-Kirkwood, Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapter President
Greetings - MichelleTucker, Central Regional Director
Selection - Deltarettes, Denver Alumnae Chapter
Blessing of the Food - Tanesia Leflore, Colorado Rocky Mountain Alumnae Chapter Treasurer
BREAKFAST SERVED
Chaplain Introductions - Arilynn Miller, Central Regional Representative
Prayer -Rev Savannah Jackson -Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapter Chaplain
Commitment -Monica Badgett -Denver Alumnae Chapter Chaplain
Love - Sandra Daniel -Colorado Rocky Mountain Alumnae Chapter Chaplain
Introduction of Founders Day Speaker - Arilynn Miller, Central Regional Representative
Selection - Deltarettes, Denver Alumnae Chapter
Founders Day Speaker - Ruth N. Segres, Central Regional Chaplain
Presentations
Closing Remarks - Committee Co-Chairs, Sandra Graham, Shirley Little, Janice Satchell
Benediction - Ruth Segres, Central Regional Chaplain
Thank You For Your Continued Support!
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Colorado Springs Alumnae Chaplain
Soror Reverend Savannah M. Jackson currently serves as the Chaplain of the Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapter. She is an ordained minister and evangelist. She has been a member of the Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church of Colorado Springs, CO for over thirty years. She accepted her call from God in 2002; and in 2013, she became the first female ever ordained by that church family. As an Associate Minister, she serves as Leader of the MinisterialTeam, and Servant Leader of the Bereavement Ministry.
Savannah crossed the burning sands into Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Incorporated in 2006 at the Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapter; and was given the Line name Purple Reign, which she cherishes deeply; as she is convinced that God displays the color purple especially for her viewing pleasure.
Savannah and her husband,Troy have been married for almost 39 years. They are the proud parents of four adult children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Savannah earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources from Regis University; and her Master of Theology degree from FullerTheological Seminary in Colorado Springs, CO.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Denver Alumnae Chaplain
Monica S. Badgett, a Denver native and graduate of Manual High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology/Social Psychology Research fromWilberforce University inWilberforce, Ohio.An HBCU advocate, Monica considers her time atWilberforce life affirming. Monica also holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership with an emphasis in Strategic Innovation and Change Management from Colorado State University-Global Campus. Her love for community extends beyond her long-standing career with the City and County of Denver in the DEDO (Denver Economic Development Opportunity) Department. Monica specializes in developing operational processes for non -profit organizations. She’s traveled nationally speaking to municipal audiences regarding corporate stewardship and leading with authenticity. An author and poet, Monica participates in local and national performing arts communities. She’s served as emcee and performer and is known for her realism, gorgeous vocal tone and encouraging demeanor. Her presence is always felt before it is known. Monica has served on several board and advisory committees, she is one of the Co-Chairs Emeritus for the Denver African American Commission, Co-Chair for JEDI (Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee with DEDO (Denver Economic Development and Opportunity. Most recently Monica was appointed as Vice Chair of the National Collaborative forTransformativeYouth Policy inWashington, D.C. She currently serves on Cherry Creek School District P.A.S.S. (Partnership for Academically Successful Students- Now referred to asV.O.I.C.E.S.- DistrictVoices of Color) Steering/ Advisory Committees, Cherry Creek School District ECCE (Equity Culture and Community Engagement) Advisory Council, Cherry Creek School District/ Overland High School Accountability Committee, member of SPIN (Sisterhood of Philanthropist Impacting Needs). She is a steadfast advocate for the psychological safe spaces for Black folk, as a part of collective voice of TherapyThursday. She is a member of Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc, and serves on several committees in Denver Alumnae Chapter. Monica is also the proud and praying mother of 2 children.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Colorado Rocky Mountain Chaplain
Faith, hard work, and dedication are three perpetual pillars used to describe Sandra B. Daniel. Her induction into our esteemed sisterhood was through the Denver Alumnae Chapter in 2005 alongside 18 other beautiful sisters, known as 19Visions-1 Destiny. On December 16, 2023, Sandra became a Charter Member of the Colorado Rocky Mountain Alumnae Chapter where she serves as Chaplin. In the scenic embrace of Northern Colorado, she plans to continue serving and bringing visibility to young adults in the area.
Originating from South Carolina, Sandra began her academic journey at the University of South Carolina, where she attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. She received her Master of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Denver. Sandra worked for IBM in the technical arena for 33 years.Although semi-retired, she continues to share her knowledge working with the Longmont Public Safety Services Department,The Boulder County NAACP and Second Baptist Church of Boulder, where she has been an active and dedicated member for over three decades.
Sandra and her husband of 27 years,Wayne, reside in Longmont, CO and love making a difference in their community and the lives of others.Together they have 3 adult children, 7 grandchildren, and have had an integral role in the lives of countless others.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Founders Day Speaker
Welcome Sorors,
Romans 12:12-13, records where the Apostle Paul says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Hope, patience, prayer, and hospitality are ingredients that are ingrained in the lives of Delta women. Each ingredient is necessary for us to move Forward with Fortitude: Engaging Our Sisterhood, Empowering Our Communities, Elevating Our Impact.
Our Founders were women of faith who thought it not robbery to establish our illustrious sorority on Christian principles, and prayer is still paramount to our sisterhood as we serve. It is through prayer that we cement our resolve to render excellent service to our communities. It is through prayer that we receive wisdom and strength to continue our commitment to lead, love, and be hospitable in a hostile world that often underappreciates what we, the women of Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc. offer to our communities and the world.
My dear sorors, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). It is my prayer and hope that we embody and live out our theme, “Sisterhood United in Prayer, Commitment and Love,” because it is For Central,We Serve.
Faithfully serving, Soror Ruth N. Segres, DMin Central Regional Chaplain
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Honorary Members Wilma J. Webb
The Honorable Wilma J. Webb is a lifetime stateswoman who served the nation with distinction, respect, and admiration, by successfully delivering caring substantive law and active committed service and leadership to people. She dedicated her life to helping all people by giving of herself as a six-term Colorado State Representative who was the first woman to represent House District 8 in the Colorado House of Representatives, serving from 19801993; and, the first woman United States’ Department of Labor Regional Administrator, serving Region VIII from 1997-2000, who was appointed by President William Jefferson Clinton and U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman. Region VIII includes the States of Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. She is the first woman, and happens to be a Black woman, to provide professional service as Denver’s First Lady, serving from 1991-2003. As an accomplished political force of record, she is the first and only African American woman, to date, who has served in all three levels of our government, and it continues to be her hope that more women will exceed her in these major achievements.
As Denver’s First Lady for twelve years, her duties ranged from chairing governmental bodies and managing personnel; researching, authoring, and delivering public speeches and statements; convening press and media events and delivering public statements on issues of interest to the public. She performed all First Lady duties, where she devoted much time and energy to eliminating drug abuse, along with monitoring the treatment of addicts. She also focused upon youth and family issues. She, as a patron and advocate for the Arts, and, as Chairperson of the Mayor’s Commission on Art, Culture, and Film, led the efforts in developing Denver’s Vision for the Arts and created and developed Denver’s Process for the Procurement and Accession of Public Art. Additions to the People’s Art Collection include Borovsky’s The Dancers, Colorado’s Portrait of President Barack Obama, Fernando Botero’s Man and Woman, Irving Watt’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Portrait, and Ed Dwight’s I Have A Dream Sculpture, accentuated by Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Mahatmas Gandhi, and Sojourner Truth and The Walk of Mayor Wellington E. Webb Monument.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Honorary Members Michelle Janine Howard
Soror Howard is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral who last served as the commander of United States Naval Forces Europe while she concurrently was the commander of United States Naval Forces Africa and commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples. She previously was the 38thVice Chief of Naval Operations. She assumed her last assignment on June 7, 2016. Howard has achieved many historical firsts throughout her naval career. She was the first African-American woman to command a United States Navy ship, and the first to achieve two- and three-star rank. In 2006, she was selected for the rank of rear admiral (lower half), making her the first admiral selected from the United States Naval Academy class of 1982 and the first female graduate of the United States Naval Academy selected for flag rank. Upon her swearing in, Howard became the highest-ranking woman in United States Naval history
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide Charter Members
Denver Alumnae Chapter
Elaine Brown Jenkins
Kathryn Cohron
Ruby Cohron
Eleanor Critz
Claudine McCloud
Marion Morrison Robinson
Mae Thomas Adams
Jessie Whaley Maxwell
Colorado Rocky Mountain Alumnae Chapter
Jada Bozmans
Lisa Chesson
Sallye Cooke-McKee, Ph.D.
Sandra Daniel, M.S.
Shelby Davis, M.S.
Nsisong Ekiko-Bimper
Valerie Embry, M.Ed.
Patricia Hartley, M.Ed.
Tanesia Leflore, MBA, SPHR
LaKendre’a Moore, M.S., PMP
Inez Washington-Ceballes
Lisa Woody-Williams, Ed.M., PMP, SMC
Aali Yarbrough-Stevenson
Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapter
Mary Alice Shy
Theora Austin
Gloria Banks
Beulah Blanton
Gladys Gault
Laurania Hall
Ruby Hall
Anna Hill
Bettie McDonald
Barbara Mendes
Vera Scott
Eva White
Thelma Zanders
Isalah (Rounds) Barnes
Khala (McAfee) Duke
Iphigenia (Graham) Jennings
Amber Marie Johnson
Jennifer Naomi Johnson
Sylvia (Jubert) Lyons
Natilia (Peters) Siebert
LaShanna Guyanna Rischarson
Janice Denise Robinson
Linda Bates Leali
Phyllis Ann Birckhead
Constance Brown
Brenda Louise Bruce
Linda Darlene Daniel
Emily Duncan
Mae Gwendolyn Elders
Frankie Dene Gilliam
Judith Loene Gordon
Doris Elizabeth Jackson
Anna Jean Johnson
Karen Laverne Moss
Marsha Lynn King
Ida Seymour Daniel
Dorothy King Stockton
Janice Yvonne Martin
Betty Phillips
Sharon Roberta McDonald
Silver Rose Small
Lynnell Stafford Bolden
Beatrice Stevenson
Berly Anne Williams
Zeta Pi City Wide Chapter
Tau Lambda Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Founders Day Committee Co-Chairs
SANDRA GRAHAM
SHIRLEY LITTLE
JANICE SATCHELL
Acknowledgements
AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
DELTA-RETTES
EDITORIAL COUNCIL
ESCORTS
EXCEED INC.
HILTON GARDEN INN DTC
MYLES PACE PHOTOGRAPHY
NATIONAL PROTOCOLS & TRADITION COMMITTEE
PUBLICITY
TECHNOLOGY
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Colorado Statewide
Denver Alumnae Chapter
DELTA
THETA SORORITY, INC. Our History, Our Story
SIGMA
Denver Alumnae Chapter
In 1938, three members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., were residing in Denver: Mae Adams, graduate of West Virginia State University; Elaine Brown Jenkins, graduate of Ohio State University; and Jessie Whaley Maxwell, graduate of Bishop College, and the three members recognized the need to charter a chapter in Denver. On Saturday, February 18, 1939, five new members were initiated - Kathryn Cohron, Elenaor Critz, Ruby Cohron Wright, Claudine McCloud and Marian Morrison Robinson. With their initiation, Beta Phi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was chartered. In 1969, Beta Phi was renamed Denver Alumnae for college graduates and Zeta Pi was chartered for collegiate members.
Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapter
On February 15, 1969, 13 forward-thinking members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Vera Scott (President), Ruby Hall (Vice President), Thelma Zanders (Secretary), Mary Alice Shy (Historian), Anna Hill (Treasurer), Theora Austin, Gloria Banks, Beulah Blanton, Gladys Gault, Barbara Mendes, Laurania Hall, Bettie McDonald, and Eva White) successfully chartered the Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapter. These women were determined to make an impact in the Colorado Springs area through service and activism. In its infancy, the chapter met community needs through efforts such as annual gift-giving to the state hospital and day care centers, volunteering to assist local public agencies, and financial assistance to worthy students whenever possible. Over the past five decades, our footprint and presence can be seen throughout the community as we remain committed to the Five-Point Program Thrust.
Zeta Pi City-Wide Chapter
On May 10, 1969, the Beta Phi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta initiated 23 women (both collegiate and alumnae) into the sisterhood. On the same day, Zeta Pi City Wide Chapter was chartered and established. The 18 newly initiated collegiate Deltas became charter members of the Zeta Pi CityWide Chapter. Now that there were two distinct chapters, one for alumnae and one for collegiate members, the two chapters began operating independently. Since its founding, Zeta Pi has continued its sisterhood and service throughout Denver and its surrounding areas. Two members from Zeta Pi have served as Regional Representatives for the Central Region.
Tau Lambda Chapter
On April 26, 2003, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., nine Delta women chartered the 4th chapter in Colorado, Tau Lambda Chapter. Tau Lambda serves the college campuses of northern Colorado. Tau Lambda continues to press on as a public service organization serving the northern Colorado area on the campuses of Colorado State University and University of Northern Colorado.
Colorado Rocky Mountain Alumnae Chapter
Over the years northern Colorado has been the home to many Delta’s. They came here for work and school but didn’t have the opportunity to fully participate in sorority life because there wasn’t a local chapter in the area. From this the desire grew to establish one locally. Our group of diverse and committed women who span four generations worked diligently to form a chapter. The Colorado Rocky Mountain Alumnae Chapter was chartered on December 16, 2023 at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, Colorado by 13 women who had a vision to bring the mission and programs of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporate to the northern Colorado region. With the support of Dr. Felicia Echols our Central Regional Director, Michelle Simmons our State Coordinator, Denver Alumnae and the Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapters we became the third alumnae chapter in the state.
