LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Mid Hudson Valley Alumnae Chapter
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. upon the occasion of celebrating its
40th Anniversary on June 12, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations within the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Mid Hudson Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Inc. upon the occasion of its 40th Anniversary to be celebrated on
Saturday, June 12, 2010, at the Dutchess Golf and Country Club, Pough-
keepsie, New York; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded in 1913 by 22 students
at Howard University; these young women wanted to use their collective
strength to promote academic excellence; to provide scholarships; to
provide support to the underserved; educate and stimulate participation
in the establishment of positive public policy; and to highlight issues
and provide solutions for problems in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, non-profit
organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through
established programs in local communities throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, A sisterhood of more than 200,000 predominately Black college
educated women, the Sorority currently has over 900 chapters located in
the United States, England, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the
Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Republic of Korea; and
WHEREAS, The major programs of the sorority are based upon the organ-
ization's Five Point Programmatic Thrust: Economic Development; Educa-
tional Development; International Awareness and Involvement; Physical
and Mental Health; and Political Awareness and Involvement; and
WHEREAS, The Mid Hudson Valley Alumnae (MHVA) Chapter of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc. was chartered on June 24, 1970; it was through the
initial efforts of Alfreda E. Porter that the original Charter Members
gathered in 1969 to begin this chapter; and
WHEREAS, The original Charter members were Estella Henderson Boyd,
Grace Brown, Yolanda Brown, Jean Wooden Cunnigham, Senora Diggs Davis,
Carolyn Benyard Golden, Gloria Lang, Alice Jefferson Marshall, Thelma
Morris, Doris Penn, Barbara Perry, Alfreda Evans Porter, Dorothy Brad-
ford Stanley and Joanne Luckett Vereen; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its distinguished history, the Mid Hudson Valley
Alumnae Chapter has been involved in many projects and activities
focused on improving the youngest child to the senior citizens of the
Mid Hudson Valley area; and
WHEREAS, Held every two years, the Debutante Cotillion program
provides monthly workshops and mentoring on personal care, self esteem,
education, college preparation/careers, community service and other
topics for junior and senior females from high schools throughout the
Mid-Hudson Valley through most of the academic year; and
WHEREAS, The workshops culminate with the Cotillion, an elegant debu-
tante ball where these fine young women are presented to the community
upon completion of the program; this grand event helps to raise money
for the Sorority's annual scholarships; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the Chapter offers scholarships to African Ameri-
can female high school seniors in the Mid-Hudson Valley area; the schol-
arships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, community and
school involvement; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the Chapter manages its Delta Academy, a monthly
tutoring and mentoring program for girls ages 11 to 14 years old; this
program is held at Marist College and it focuses on Math, Science and
Technology, helping to improve the self-esteem of its participants; and
WHEREAS, The Chapter is also very involved in political awareness and
social action; in October 2009, it held a "Meet the Candidates" program
for the City of Poughkeepsie Common Council elections allowing community
members to meet and network with the candidates and most recently, it
sponsored another Meet the Candidates event for the Poughkeepsie City
School Board election; it has also been consistently active in promoting
voter registration campaigns and its members are enthusiastically
involved in the annual "Delta Days in the Nation's Capital" initiative
each year; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Chapter promoted the Census 2010 campaign at
several community events providing participants with information and
materials to register for the Census on site; it also participated in
"Delta Days at the United Nations"; the 2010 theme for the event was
"Protecting and Empowering Women & Girls Against Violence"; Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc. is a non-governmental organization (NGO) at the
United Nations; and
WHEREAS, The Chapter is also dedicated to A.I.D.S. Awareness, and each
March it hosts an educational program that focuses on providing the
community with information on the prevention, transmission, care and
concern for those living with the disease; past activities have included
delivering meals to persons homebound with A.I.D.S.; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Chapter has committed itself to Diabetes
Awareness and has held numerous Health Fairs; the focus of this program
was on the youth and the rising number of children diagnosed with
diabetes; the program included healthy eating/healthy lifestyle tips,
exercise information, demonstrations, and speakers; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, the Sorority manages a health initiative program
that it presents at local churches, chapter-sponsored events, community
programs and other activities this year to educate people on the impor-
tance of "knowing your numbers" for good personal health in terms of
cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and more; and
WHEREAS, Twice a year, members of the Chapter purchase, cook and serve
meals to the community at the Soup Kitchen held at Beulah Baptist Church
in Poughkeepsie, New York; additionally, it adopts a family each year
providing them with meals, warm clothing and gifts during the holidays;
it also hosts an annual Kwanzaa celebration for the community, showcas-
ing the talents of Delta Academy participants and other community
members; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Mid Hudson Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is in direct correlation to the efforts of
its members, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by
an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the Sorority and
the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, In light of its commitment, dedication, and successful
efforts, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its highest
commendation to the Mid Hudson Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc.; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Mid Hudson Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc. upon the occasion of celebrating its 40th Anniversary on
June 12, 2010; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Mid Hudson Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc.