In the spring of 1976, three (3) young, energetic, courageous, dedicated Deltas – Patricia Sampson, Tanya Matthews, and Jamesena Walker met at Mrs. Walker’s apartment in Lakeland to discuss the future of our great sisterhood of Deltas in Polk County. They envisioned rekindling the nine (9) cardinal virtues, principles, and standards for which our twenty-two (22) illustrious Founders so beautifully initiated on January 13, 1913. The results of this meeting were followed up by placing an ad in the Lakeland Ledger newspaper encouraging and inviting all Deltas to respond to a call for unification in the Polk County area.
Seventeen (17) Deltas responded and an organizational meeting was held at the Coleman-Bush Building, which was as the Northwest Community Complex at that time.
The name Deltas of Polk County was agreed upon until April 2, 1977. On this date, the Lakeland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was established by Yvonne Kennedy, then the Director of the Southern Region at 8:45 a.m. in Room 3 of the Ramada Inn, on Memorial Boulevard, Lakeland, Florida.
Immediately following the chartering of the Lakeland Alumnae Chapter, Yvonne Kennedy serving as acting President 0pened the meeting using the Formal Ritualistic Opening. The charter and elected officers were as follows:
Inaugural officers of Lakeland Alumnae Chapter – 1977 to 1978