Our Founders
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. Thesestudentswantedtousetheircollectivestrengthtopromoteacademicexcellenceandto provideassistancetothoseinneed. InMarchof1913,theFoundersofDeltaSigmaThetaSorority,Inc., performed their first public act. They participated in the Women’s Suffrage March in Washington, D.C. DeltaSigmaThetaSorority,Inc.wasincorporatedin1930.
Founders
OsceolaMacarthyAdams*
MargueriteYoungAlexander*
WinonaCargileAlexander*
EthelCuffBlack*
BerthaPittsCampbell*
ZephyrChisomCarter*
EdnaBrownColeman*
RosenaBain*
FayeBlanchard
E.JeanBlount
HerthaL.Blount*
BrendaBonner
MattieBellBraxton*
PatriciaBrown
GloriaJeanCisrow
VermaLeeCurtis
DorothyDaggett*
JacquelinDent
*Deceased
JessieMcGuireDent*
FredericaChaseDodd*
MyraDavisHemmings*
JimmyBuggsMiddleton*
PaulineOberdorferMinor*
VashtiTurleyMurphy*
NaomiSewellRichardson*
MamieReddyRose*
ElizaPearlShippen*
FlorenceLetcherToms*
EthelCarrWatson*
WertieBlackwellWeaver*
Augusta Alumnae Charter Members
DorothyDicks
TeresaB.Dixon
MaeFrancesGilbert*
OraM.Griffin*
EarlineH.Jackson
GeorgeL.Jenkins*
JuliannaJohnson
MarieJohnson*
MargaretJones
RobettaMcKenzie
MarquriteMorgan*
KathrynMorton*
WilhelminaMurray*
QueenM.Pitts
LouiseA.Rice
CynthiaSims
GenevaB.Stallings*
JeanR.Stewart
BrendaBrownTutt*
JustineWashington*
CountessP.Wilkerson
TheresaWhite*
Program
Welcome
Stacey Mabray, Ed.D., AAC Founders Day Chair
Invocation
Stacey Lee, Ed.D, AAC Chaplain
Purpose
Tamara Baldwin, Rosa Clemons, Kimberly Hayes, Kathy Johnson, Stacey Mabray. Rashann Parker, Krishana Welcher-Green
Blessing
Tonya Bradburn
DINNER SERVED
Introduction of Moderator
M. Nanette Barnes, AAC Program Committee
Introduction of Panelists
Jasmine Scott, Ed.D.
Social Justice Panel - Part I
Economic Development......................................................................................Dawana Dukes
Educational Development..........................................................................Dr. Angela Williams
International Awareness & Involvement .................................................Judge Chanette Lewis
Physical & Mental Health........................................................................Dr. Cheryl Cummings
Political Awareness & Involvement ..............................Representative Lynn Gladney-Heffner
INTERMISSION
Social Justice Panel - Part II
Economic Development Dawana Dukes
Educational Development Dr. Angela Williams
International Awareness & Involvement Judge Chanette Lewis
Physical & Mental Health Dr. Cheryl Cummings
Political Awareness & Involvement ..............................Representative Lynn Gladney-Heffner
Remarks
Lurelia Hardy, AAC President
SocialAction Charge
Nicole Jones, AAC Social Action Co-Chair
Benediction
Tamara Baldwin
Moderator
Dr. Jasmine Scott
Dr. Jasmine Scott is a pillar of her community and embodies the true meaning of black excellence. A graduate of Midland Valley High School, Jasmine has become a successful education professional. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina- Columbia. She later earned both her master’s degree in education and educational specialist degree from Columbus State. Her educator journey began as a Science teacher at Glenn Hills High School and evolved in the Atlanta area. After serving at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School in Lithonia, GA for five years, she returned home to teach in Aiken County. She has worked her way well beyond the classroom as she recently completed her Ed.D at Clemson University in 2024.
Dr. Scott is the Principal of Monte Sano Elementary School in Augusta, Georgia. Aside from being a Principal, Jasmine is a hardworking member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She serves as the First Vice President of the Aiken Alumnae Chapter where she devotes her time to focusing on the service of the chapter and its members within the local community. She is also a member of the Aiken chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. Jasmine has a true servant’s heart and she often pours back into the village that raised her.
Speaking of her village, Jasmine is extremely family oriented. She is a devoted wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, godmother, cousin, and friend. As the eldest child of Reverend Joseph and Kathy Thomas, she loves to spend valuable time with her loved ones, creating special moments and making lasting memories. She has been married to Vincent Scott for over 10 years and they have two beautiful daughters, Kailyn and Ryann.
Dr. Scott’s profession truly speaks to her heart and character, for a principal is a change-maker who leads with her heart.
Our Panelist
Dr.CherylCummings
Dr. Cheryl Cummings, affectionately known as “Dr. C,” is a highly respected mental health thought leader and change-agent nationally. She is the Senior Pastor and Executive Director of Journey Oasis, Inc, a faithbased non-profit organization launched in February 2025, under the spiritual covering of Pastor Jamal Wright of Reviving Generations.
With over 20 years of mental health experience, Dr. Cummings is the owner of Stairway Counseling Services, LLC and Future Generation Consulting & Training, LLC. She currently serves as the Employee Services Wellness Manager for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) and holds adjunct faculty positions at two universities. She earned her doctorate (with Honors & Distinction)in Human Services with aspecializationinCounselingStudiesfrom Capella University.
Dr.Cummingsholdsmultipleprofessionallicensesandboardcertifications, including:
• LicensedProfessionalCounselor(LPC)inSouthCarolinaandGeorgia
• LicensedProfessionalCounselorSupervisor(LPC/S)inSouthCarolina
• NationalCertifiedCounselor(NCC)
• CertifiedClinicalMentalHealthCounselor(CCMHC)
• Board Certified-Telemental Health Counselor (BC-TMH)
• ApprovedClinicalSupervisor(ACS)throughtheNationalBoardofCertified Counselors(NBCC)
• CertifiedClinicalTraumaProfessional(CCTP)throughtheInternationalAssociationofTrauma Professionals
• MentalHealthFirstAidUSACertifiedInstructor
In 2017, she was recognized by the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) as a DiplomateofMental Health Specialist and Diplomate of Mental Health Specialist for Children & Adolescents.
Dr. Cummings is deeply involved in professional andcommunityleadership, serving on several communitybased boards and holdingleadershippositions instateand nationalcounselingorganizations. SheisthePresident of the South Carolina Clinical Mental Health Counselors Association (SCCMHCA) and the Southern Region Director for the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA). She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Above all her professional and community achievements, Dr. C. is most honored to be the mother of her three amazing children.
Our Panelist
Representative Lynn Gladney-Heffner District 130
Lynn Gladney-Heffner lives in Augusta, Georgia and when she is not participating in the Georgia General Assemblyshe works as the Director of Motor Vehicle Registration. She heads the division that is responsible for serving the 206K(+) residents of Richmond Countybyensuring that drivers are compliant pursuant to the constitutional authority of the Tax Commissioner and the guidelines of the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR). During her tenure in her current role, she has led her division through the successful implementation of the DOR’s statewide technology upgrade in 2018, which included 159 counties and was the most significant investment in the state department history. This and other professional accomplishments serve as her foundation and as an example of her credibilitywithin the organizational executive leadership team.
Rep. Gladney-Heffner has professional experiences that have allowed her to travel all over the world. She was born on the West Coast in Vallejo, California but she spent the early years of her childhood in Jonesboro, Arkansas where she later graduated from high school and joined the U.S. Army. Her career began at Fort Stewart, in Hinesville, Georgia, with a generational family legacy of military service. As the granddaughter of a WW2 era Navy Veteran and the daughter of a Vietnam era Army Veteran, Rep. Gladney is a proud decorated ArmyVeteran, and the first woman in her familyto serve in the United States Armed Forces.
Rep. Gladney-Heffner was elected in the 2022 General Election for the newly-drawn House District 130 seat, which is situated in Richmond Countyand includes parts of Local Commission District’s 1, 2, 5, 6 & 8.
Rep Gladney has made history as the first African-American Woman Veteran to hold a state level seat in her region.
Her background reflects 35 years of experience that encompass small business, public and private sector organizations, military and local municipal government in the following areas: public education, public relations, professional development, team building, problem solving, strategic implementation, budgeting, organizational collaboration, policy interpretation and leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. She is a graduate of Leadership Augusta and the Georgia Economic Leadership Academy.
Rep. Gladney-Heffner has received numerous awards for her community outreach, including the Women of Wealth (WOW) EmpoweringWomen Magazine’s Innovative Leadership Award for 2021.
Rep. Gladney-Heffner’s philosophy of leadership is anchored in her faith and her commitment to advocate for others.
Rep. Gladney-Heffner enjoys spending time with her sons Nicholas, Kalyn & Bryson, family and friends. In her spare time, Rep. Gladneyenjoys hobbies such as kayaking, cycling, ballroom/line dancing & traveling.
Our Panelist
Chanette Lewis, Esq.
Chanette Lewis is a Juvenile Court Judge in the Richmond County Judicial Circuit. The Circuit includes both Richmond and Burke Counties. She was appointed in January 2022 by the Superior Court Judges of the Augusta Judicial Circuit. As a Juvenile Court Judge, Judge Lewis handles both delinquency and dependency cases. She also presides over Juvenile Drug Court, Family Treatment Court and LIFTT Court (CSEC).
Judge Lewis graduated undergrad from Augusta State University with a B.A. in Political Science in 2005. Judge Lewis graduated from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA in 2010 with a Juris Doctorate. Before becoming a Judge, Judge Lewis worked in several capacities as an attorney. At the beginning of her career, she worked as an associate attorney in the Hawk Law Firm. During her time at the Hawk Law Firm, she was exposed to working in Juvenile Court. Judge Lewis worked as a contract attorney representing parents involved in dependency cases and juveniles involved in delinquency cases. Due to her work in Juvenile Court, she was offered a position in the Richmond County Public Defender’s Office as a Juvenile Defender. As a Juvenile Defender she represented juveniles charged with delinquent acts. In this position Judge Lewis, learned the meaning of “client centered representation”. In 2017 Judge Lewis became an Assistant Solicitor General in the Richmond County Solicitor General’s Office. In this office she prosecuted misdemeanors. She served in this capacity until she became the Chief Assistant Solicitor General in 2021. In this position she had both administrative and prosecutorial duties.
Judge Lewis was born and raised in Augusta GA. She is the daughter of Arthur and Patricia Lewis. She is the youngest of three siblings. She is a member of the Historic Hosannah Missionary Baptist Church in Augusta GA. She is a 2021 graduate of Leadership Augusta. In her free time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with her family.
Our Panelist
DaWana McCoy Dukes
DaWana McCoy-Dukes holds the distinguished position of Vice President-Financial Inclusion Leader at Truist Bank, showcasing a career spanning over 20 years in the dynamic realm of financial services. In her current capacity, DaWana serves as a vital community liaison, orchestrating the seamless integration of Truist Bank’s resources with diverse partners. She’s had the distinct honor of representing Truist for 12 years and previously served as a Retail Banking Branch Leader with achievements of Most Valuable Branch and Gold Award.
DaWana is passionate about her servitude work to deliver the Truist purpose to inspire and better lives and communities. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Education from North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University, “AGGIE PRIDE!”
Beyond her professional range of business, DaWana purposefully shapes the trajectory of community organizations, including The Augusta Mini Theatre as Board Member of Special Fundraising, Phillip Grove Baptist Church Girls 2 Pearls Ministry Mentor, Youth Leadership Advisor, Women’s Ministry, and the Zeta Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
DaWana enjoys spending quality time with her husband Purvis, family, and friends grilling and eating delicious food, competing in various board games, and traveling. She experiences her greatest joy cheering for her husband and his high school varsity boys’ basketball team during their season.
Our Panelist
Dr. Angela Williams
Dr. Angela Williams is a lifelong educator with a passion for fostering academic excellence and personal growth in students. With over 34 years of experience in education, Dr. Williams has held various roles, including Teacher, Instructional Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Principal, Secondary Curriculum Director, and Assistant Superintendent. In 2020, after serving 18 years at the school level and 11 at the district level, Dr. Williams was appointed Superintendent of Burke County Schools.
Driven by a commitment to excellence and equity in education, Dr. Williams has successfully led initiatives that focus on improving student outcomes, supporting teacher development, and creating an inclusive and innovative learning environment. She has collaborated with teachers, administrators, and communities to build programs that inspire students to reach their fullest potential.
Dr. Williams was raised in a loving household alongside six siblings and with a mother who taught the values of faith, education, hard work, resilience, and treating people right. After graduating from Burke County Public Schools, she attended University of Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education. She later attended graduate school, earning a Masters, Specialist, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Augusta University.
In her spare time, Dr. Williams enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering, and traveling. She serves on the boards of several nonprofits to include Communities in Schools of Burke County Family Connections, Burke Archway Partnership, United Way of CSRA, Burke County Health Foundation, Burke County Family Y, and Child Enrichment. She says serving others is our duty and one of the best ways to show good stewardship of our gifts and talents. In 2022, she was nominated by State Representative Gloria Frazier for, and is the proud recipient of, the Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award.
Five Point Programmatic Thrusts
Economic Development
"We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us, but also the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves." Shirley Chisholm
Economic Development focuses on financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, homeownership, and economic self-sufficiency within Black communities. Delta Sigma Theta provides financial literacy programs, supports Black-owned businesses, and advocates for equitable economic policies that close the racial wealth gap.
Our work’s impact is empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources to build generational wealth, invest in their communities, and achieve financial independence.
Educational Development
"When you invest in a girl’s education, she feeds herself, her children, her community, and her nation." Dr. Johnetta B. Cole
Educational Development is committed to enhancing educational access, academic excellence, and lifelong learning opportunities for Black students. Through scholarships, mentorship programs, and advocacy, Delta Sigma Theta ensures that young people especially girls of color receive the support they need to excel.
Our work’s impact is closing the educational achievement gap by providing students with the tools, resources, and mentorship necessaryfor success in school and beyond.
International Awareness & Involvement
"Service is the rent you pay for room on this earth." Shirley Chisholm
International Awareness & Involvement promotes global advocacy, humanitarian efforts, and initiatives supporting women and girls of color worldwide. Delta Sigma Theta fights against gender-based violence, human trafficking, and limited access to healthcare and education through service and activism.
Our work’s impact is creating a global network of support that uplifts and protects women and girls of color, ensuring theyhave access to basic human rights, education, and opportunities for a better future.
Physical & Mental Health
"Health care is a right, not a privilege." Dr. Regina Benjamin
Physical & Mental Health prioritizes the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of Black communities by addressing health disparities, promoting preventive care, and eliminating stigma surrounding mental health. Programs focus on issues such as heart disease, maternal health, breast cancer, and emotional wellness.
Our work’s impact is improving the overall well-being of Black women and families by increasing access to quality healthcare, advocating for health equity, and fostering a culture of self-care and wellness.
Political Awareness & Involvement
"Give light and people will find the way." Ella Baker
Political Awareness & Involvement is dedicated to civic engagement, voting rights advocacy, and policy reform to amplify Black voices in the political process. Delta Sigma Theta fights voter suppression supports Black women in leadership and educates communities about their rights and responsibilities.
Our work’s impact is strengthening democracyby ensuring that Black communities are informed, engaged, and empowered to influence policies that affect their lives.
Founder’s Day Committee
Tamara Baldwin
M. Nanette Barnes
Cheryl Bly
Meagan Bright
Rosa Clemons
Diane Crawford
Corenthia Cunningham
Tomekia Darrisaw
Shakayla Dukes
Karin Gibson
Krystal Hawes-Fields
Kimbely Hayes
Dionne Henry
Maria Hollaway
Tangy Howard
Vontice Jackson
Kathy Johnson
Kathie Johnson
Kia Johnson
Taylor Jones
Sebrena Lane
Vanetta Lawrence Chapman
Stacey Mabray
Kathy Maddox
Daja Martin
Angela Nabors
Rashann Parker
Janette Roberts Robinson
Tameka Roebuck
Jalene Smith
Nitika Smith
Lauren Trammell
Raquel Walker
Tonja Walker
Icyphine Welcher
Shantanet Welcher
Kirshana Welcher-Green
Donna Williams
Shante Williams
Ciara Williams
Social Justice
Soror Marian Wright Edelman
“The challenge of social justice is to evoke a sense of community that we need to make our nation a better place, just as we make it a safer place.”
