Nashauna Drummond, Lifestyle Coordinator

Charter members of the Jamaica Alumnae Chapter with then international president, Rev. Gwendolyn E. Boyd, on the day of chartering (April 24, 2004) - Contributed

On April 24, 2004, 11 women were pledged in the first Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in Jamaica.

Carol Dexter, who was the catalyst for the chapter's formation in Jamaica and immediate past president, learnt of the sorority while attending Spelman College in Atlanta. "I was very interested in it but I did not pledge," she explained. Unlike the perception that college sororities are all about partying, Dexter was quick to highlight the difference with Delta: "It is steeped in community service. That's how it was born and how it continues to be."

Promoting academic excellence

A traditional African American sorority that began in 1913 in the United States, it was founded by 22 undergraduates at Howard University. These young women wanted to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to persons in need.

Dexter told Flair that on Spelman campus, the members of Delta set the example for others. "At Spelman, the members of Delta were the movers and shakers; they set the example for everyone. They had the highest GPA (grade point average) and many were presidents of other organisations on campus. They were the leaders."

She noted that Jamaica's chapter was unique, in that, others usually begin with a group of delta members, but Jamaica's didn't. "When I returned home, the desire was still with me, so I spoke to my mother and a friend of hers put me in touch with the Southern Regional Director based in Florida, Dr. Paulette Walker." She noted that through her research, she found that there were prominent members of society who were involved, such as Michael Jordan, the late Dr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King Jr., Bill Cosby's wife Camille Hanks and Jamaica's national hero Norman Washington Manley.

Sorority member Ellan Edwards pledged with the original group in 2004. Without any prior knowledge or having ever been part of a Greek organisation, she pledged because she wanted to be involved in a charity organisation. "It was also Christian-based so that appealed to me as well, and it is part of a very large network that contributes to development."

Over 900 chapters worldwide

The sorority has over 900 chapters worldwide and approximately 200,000 college-educated African-American women members.

The Jamaican chapter began their work with the SOS Children's Village. There, they operated a homework tutoring programme, as well as an annual Christmas project supported by other chapters abroad. They have since decided to 'spread their wings' through an annual clothes and book drive and have adopted the St. Mary's All-Age Library in Above Rocks, St. Catherine.

"Every year, we go and clean it up and recatalogue the books. Last year, we completely tiled the floor of the library," explained Dexter.

Though anyone is free to join the group, they must, however, have at least a bachelor's degree with at least a 2.5 GPA and have done at least two community projects.