Our Chapter History
The Lakeland Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, was organized in the Spring of 1976. Members Patricia Sampson, Tanay Matthews, and Jamesena Walker met at Jamesena Walker’s apartment in the fall of 1975 to share ideas on how to meet with all the Deltas in the Polk County area to organize a chapter.
After submitting an ad to the Ledger newspaper for an all-out call for Deltas in the Polk County area, approximately 17 Deltas responded to an invitation to meet at the north community center known as the Coleman-Bush Building. Spending long hours and extensive planning, the Delta ladies organized their first meeting in the Spring of 1976.
On April 2, 1977, the Lakeland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was established by Yvonne Kennedy, Director of the Southern Region at 8:45 a.m., in Room 3, at the Ramada Inn, on Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland, Florida.
Inaugural Officers
Chapter President |
Tanya D. Matthews |
Vice President |
Elisha F. Perry |
Recording Secretary |
Susie H. O’Neal |
Treasurer |
Dolores M. Brundidge |
Financial Secretary |
Louversa T. Herbert |
Corresponding Secretary |
Mildred Bennett |
Parliamentarian |
Jessie Hill |
Sergeant-at-Arms |
Shirley Lewis |
Chaplain |
Ethel Freeman |
Journalist |
Linda Moore |
Custodian |
Jamesena Walker |
Chair of Projects |
Rhonda Taylor |
Chair of Public Relations |
Patricia Sampson |
Other chartered members were Mary H. Bunch and Johnnye McAllister.
These fifteen charted members became a viable force and united with the 350,000+ member organization as it is today.
Since its chartering in 1977, the Lakeland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has proudly served Polk County through impactful programs that promote scholarship, sisterhood, service, and social action. For nearly five decades, our members have remained committed to enriching lives, strengthening communities, and creating lasting change through cultural, educational, and public service initiatives.