Gwen Ifill & Soledad O'Brien Inducted Into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Feb 08 | by _YBF

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the largest African-American women's service organization, has two new members. Yesterday, the esteemed sorority inducted PBS Newshour senior correspondent Gwen Ifill and CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien as honorary members. Deets inside...

During a ceremony at Howard University (the founding place of the Sorority in 1913) yesterday, both PBS Newshour senior correspondent Gwen Ifill and CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien were inducted as honorary members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“We are excited to have Sorors Ifill and O'Brien join our ranks. Delta women are movers and shakers, committed to uplifting and empowering our communities. These remarkable women embody the spirit of Delta and we welcome them into our sisterhood with open arms," said Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, National President Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

As she was welcomed into the sisterhood, Gwen Ifill said, “You have no idea how much this has made my day…The warmth in this room is overwhelming.”

Soledad echoed her new soror's sentiments saying:

“I‟ve been waiting a long time to say, hey sorors! To have a sisterhood that supports you is heartening...Before I would say that service is what you do, now I say it's what we do.”

Soledad and Gwen join the ranks of Ruby Dee, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Cicely Tyson as honorary members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which is dedicated to public service in the African-American community and beyond.

Notable women who became members through traditional undergrad/grad membership include Mara Brock-Akil, Roberta Flack, Barbara Jordan, Natalie Cole, Dorothy I. Height, Carol Mosely Braun, Jacque Reed, Marcia Fudge and many more.

SIDENOTE: Oo-oop to my new Sorors!

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Comments

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You all really need to stop.

You all really need to stop. Instead of celebrating all things postitive about African-Americans you're up here talking about who's the prettiest, who's number one, who has the best. This is NOT what either sorority is about. Each sorority has equally impressive individuals who either pledged or were inducted as an honorary member. Let's stop this madness, it does no good for either sorority and make the members seem simple and immature. We are the ones who are supposed to be role models for young ladies in our communities. If I were not already a member of a sorority I would have 2nd thoughts based on this stuff that I'm reading up here. Be proud of the sorority choice that you made and celebrate what's good about that choice. If the only way you need to boost your sorority is by tearing down other sororities, then your sorority is in a sad state. And by the way, I am a proud, old school member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. I pledged Gamma Alpha chapter of Xavier University! I appeal to my sorors, pull up! Don't belittle our beloved Delta Sigma Theta by slinging mud at others because of their comments. Just ignore it.

by Tonya Criswell
12:11 am - Feb 13, '13

I think it is very tacky for

I think it is very tacky for members of different BGLO to go back and forth. Not only are you disrespecting that organization but the organization you are representing. I respect any organization that is doing something positive, especially within the black community. Now, I will admit, I am not down with bringing other people down, as women, it is bad enough that we have some men within the black community disrespecting us and some other races as well. We have to work twice as hard to prove ourselves. With all of that being said, Congrats to both women and to the members of ALL BGLO, let's encourage each other, not just the members of your organization, because at the end of the day, in the real world, it does not matter if you are an Alpha, Delta, Zeta, or Sigma, it matters what you are doing to make this world a better place for the people who come after us....

by Anonymous
4:43 pm - Feb 13, '11

Every body giving their views

Every body giving their views but after all they got their chance and place.... How To Make a Guy Fall In Love With You

by laura
4:50 pm - Feb 11, '11

omg I just got goosebumps!

omg I just got goosebumps! OO-OOP TO MY SORORS! #OWT

by DST Deu2ce
11:06 pm - Feb 10, '11

CONGRATS to my new SORORs we

CONGRATS to my new SORORs we are always recruiting the best and the brightest!! and on a side note OO-oop to all my sorors. Hey Natasha, my soror

by Anonymous
4:54 pm - Mar 4, '11

i am so sick of non greeks

i am so sick of non greeks commenting on greek affairs, thats like a single person telling you what it is like to be married, make sense? Anyways congrats to my new Sorors, DST continues to set the standard of excellence for women in all walks of life. OO-OOP!

by Anonymous
5:57 pm - Feb 9, '11

ITs really not that serious

ITs really not that serious honey...

by Anonymous
7:46 pm - Feb 9, '11

Actually it is that serious.

Actually it is that serious. You don't have to understand or even respect it. Just know that in black greek culture, it is that serious "honey." : /

by MP
6:16 pm - Feb 10, '11

no it's not sweet tart

by GUEST
8:38 pm - Feb 10, '11

DST is not the largest

DST is not the largest African American women's service organization. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is. Congratulations anyhow.

by Anonymous
5:42 pm - Feb 9, '11

Actually, DST is ('first' and

Actually, DST is ('first' and 'largest' are two different things)...but thanks.

by Anonymous
10:34 pm - Feb 9, '11

RIGHT. DST is larger. Nice

RIGHT. DST is larger. Nice try though. And to the non-greeks trying to go in on my Sistergreek, please learn and adhere to the following statement: STAY IN YOUR LANE! Congrats to Delta on two phenomenal additions to your sisterhood.

by Anonymous
5:03 pm - Feb 23, '11

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by sgsdfdfe
5:41 pm - Feb 9, '11

Why do I always sense so much

Why do I always sense so much division within the BGLO Community...maybe its all just playful rivalry...who knows? Any who you all do big thangs for our communities and others. Congrats to the ladies too bad I can't do the CALL... ;) [I very much RESPECT all BGLOs] but congrats SN: Michy O. should be inducted as a honorary member too! since she ain't took the AKA oath

by Soleil
5:32 pm - Feb 9, '11

what i am not understanding

what i am not understanding is ... why then do you need an undergrad rush or pledging ceremony when these women just needed to be invited in because of who they are? i don't consider that a sisterhood... 'a real sisterhood does not have to be invited into anything it is just automatic.. and for your information I too am in a sorority and honestly it is more hype than anything...... was not worth the money or time.....sisterhood is not a label nor should someone handpick me ...it is a natural unity that is understood automatically... and yes i am aware that michelle obama was also invited in to the AKA sorority.... not excited about that..... it really didn't matter at this point because she is "the first african american first lady of the united states" but i still love her.....

by MSOBAMAISMYROLEMODEL
4:08 pm - Feb 9, '11

...stop hatin'...

by Anonymous
10:14 pm - Feb 9, '11

From a lady of

From a lady of Zeta....Congrats to both women and the ladies of DST #greekunity

by sweetladyofzeta1920
2:54 pm - Feb 9, '11

all the delta's who THINK

all the delta's who THINK that they know AKA business..... SHUT UP

by Anonymous
1:23 pm - Feb 9, '11

all the delta's who THINK

all the delta's who THINK that they know AKA business..... SHUT UP

by Anonymous
1:22 pm - Feb 9, '11

Naw, we rejecting you fool so

Naw, we rejecting you fool so go troll somewhere else you drop out loser.

by Truth be Told
12:04 pm - Feb 9, '11

This is wonderful!! Welcome

This is wonderful!! Welcome to our Sisterhood Ladies!! I'm a HUGE Gwen Ifill fan and you guys should check out her last book. Side note: I didn't know Natasha was a Delta. OO-OOP Soror!! (((HUG))) You're doing good things with your blog.

by Lyoness
12:03 pm - Feb 9, '11

OO-OOP MY SORORS !!!!!!

by Crystal
11:57 am - Feb 9, '11

Leave it to them to induct

Leave it to them to induct this 'sell out' capitalizing off of black propoganda broad. Foolery! Yall org rejoicing that?

by Truth
11:55 am - Feb 9, '11

Well, it sure is better than

Well, it sure is better than stealing money from our own organization! Oh, sorry, that's none of my business...please!

by Anonymous
10:17 pm - Feb 9, '11

Congratulations to both

Congratulations to both ladies! I remember Gwen when she moderated the Presidential Primary Debates. Awesome job! Soledad is very nice and very friendly. Shook her hand while CNN was down on the mall the day before the inauguration. WTG Ladies!

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by Anonymous
3:19 am - Feb 9, '11

U;m a huge fan of

U;m a huge fan of Soledad'so(can't wait for her next documentary) and I thought Gwen did a great job moderating the presidential debates a few years ago. Congrats to them.

by Tagirl27
1:31 am - Feb 9, '11

They were busy studying,

They were busy studying, while the people in the audience were getting beat during college, wearing gangs colors, and barking like a fool. Guess they were the smart ones. Down with these pretend gangs, who are only about parties and stepping thinking they all that...

by A student (obviously not dst)
1:28 am - Feb 9, '11

News Flash!! Greeks

News Flash!! Greeks ARE...ALLL THAT!!! I can tell your a GDI...LOL

by Anonymous
2:56 pm - Feb 9, '11

Hilarious, you must be one of

Hilarious, you must be one of the interests who did not make it.. That is sad you are still carrying all that with you. FYI there are an obscene amount of people who pledged during their undergrad year and graduate year who have made an amazing impact on this world, who were busy studying while pledging. Maybe if you had a better understandng of the foundation of these organizatons you would appreciate it.. but youre on the outside trying to look in. SN: Stepping, "gang colors", and "barking like fools" all have a completely deeper meaning than what you see.

by Stephanie
2:44 pm - Feb 9, '11

They were busy studying,

by A student (obviously not dst)
1:27 am - Feb 9, '11

Awwwh...that is great!

Awwwh...that is great! Welcome sorors! =) And to the fool that said they look like Delta's...*sigh*...never the heck mind! Tryin to stay positive.

by Get Your DUCKS In Line
1:14 am - Feb 9, '11

OO-OOP MY SORORS! I'M LOVING

OO-OOP MY SORORS! I'M LOVING THIS GREAT MOVE FOR THEM BOTH AND OUR ORGANIZATION AS A WHOLE! KEEP THE NEGATIVITY AWAY AND KEEP PRESSING FORWARD. :)

by @stylistaktcom
12:57 am - Feb 9, '11

they look like deltas, so i'm

they look like deltas, so i'm not surprised. especially, Soledad. congrats to them both!

by BlackBerry
12:22 am - Feb 9, '11

I think you have it backwards

I think you have it backwards if you're going by old tradition. It was always said that AKA's were usually of lighter skin and Delta's were usually of darker skin. But things don't really work like that anymore. My sis is an AKA and she and her friends come in all shades and colors and Delta's are probably the same, as the induction of Soledad and Gwen suggests.

by Tagirl27
1:06 am - Feb 9, '11

That is correct...both comes

That is correct...both comes in different shades...just like each org's Founders.

by Anonymous
10:40 pm - Feb 9, '11

What does a Delta Look Like?

by Anonymous
12:40 am - Feb 9, '11

Wow such negativity on this

Wow such negativity on this post. Are we still going at this foolishness ? How many black owned organizations have existed since 1908, 1913, 1920 and 1922 and are still operating? Come on ladies stop with the bickering. The Divine 9 sororities are not groups or cliques. We are sophisticated,illustrious organizations that have a history of community service and upliftment for African American women and have contributed to American history as a whole. Someone posted on the DST having higher standards than to accept Soledad O'Brien?4he is awesome. Shhhh, do your research before sharing your ignorance. Congrats 1913 on having two great women being inducted into your organization. Congrats to 1908, 1920 and 1922 for keeping our respective organizations running successfully. From a Sophisticated Lady 22...

by Anonymous
10:37 pm - Feb 8, '11

" sophisticated,illustrious

" sophisticated,illustrious organizations that have a history of community service and upliftment for African American women and have contributed to American history as a whole." UHHHH THAT WHOLE STATEMENT IS A LIE SWEETIE! I ATTENDED AN HBCU... AND THE DAMN DELTAS WAS HAZING WORSE THAN THE MEN AND EVEN GOT KICKED OFF THE CAMPUS...CAN ALL THAT CRAP YOU TALKING ABOUT WHAT YALL REPRESENT... AND HOWYALL UP LIFT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY... THAT IS A BIG AZZ LIE.... AND YOU CAN SEE IT RIGHT NOW IN EVERYDAY LIFE.. YOU HELP OUT WHO YOU WANT IF YOU WANT TO HELP THEM OUT BASED ON WHAT YOU THINK THEY CAN BRING TO THE TABLE FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION......STFU AND GET A LIFE!

by MSOBAMAISMYROLEMODEL
4:13 pm - Feb 9, '11

I try not to read blogs

I try not to read blogs because too many cowards use it to spread ignorance. What I have to say is that I am a very active member of DST. For you to reduce us to a organization that don't foster sisterhood and community service is ridiculous. I am not proclaiming that we don't have issues...every organization does. What I do want to say is that our good far out weighs our bad. I am a teacher in an inner city community. My students know Delta. They know us because we are in there school providing tutoring and exposing students to the Arts. We've registered their parents to vote and with some help some to restore their right to vote. We donate food, clothing, and etc to many families in the community. DST does many, many, things. It is apparent that you do no community service because if you did you would know the impact that DST have on many lives. You sound like a bitter reject hiding behind a blog.

by Anonymous
1:35 pm - Feb 12, '11

This is truely an honor for

This is truely an honor for the 2 ladies reading their comments will validates that. When i meet most Delta or any other members of a soroity i don't feel the warmth in the the room from their sistership for one another .I know its so important to have a feeling of belonging to something big then yourself that makes a postive impact in the world . I just would like to see some real black women be friends and sisters instead of seeing who has the biggest diamond ring,who is married ,or single this is the best one who is a single parent of 2 or more. I would like to believe that we really can be sister but I have watch the Delta members ignore another sisters in pain and even made her ashame of the choice of being a single parent. I hope with the 2 newest membership we can look through these ladies eyes and see what true sistership is and what it is not....Thank you for your time...

by Anonymous
10:21 pm - Feb 8, '11

Soledad? I thought Deltas had

Soledad? I thought Deltas had higher standards.

by Woodstock
10:13 pm - Feb 8, '11

Why is this important?

Why is this important? Whocares about groups or "cliques"? How does this group help society?

by Anonymous
10:05 pm - Feb 8, '11

hold up here fella. Check our

hold up here fella. Check our resume! Since 1913 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has been working to help empower women around the world, and improve our society. Do some research before you speak, otherwise, DON'T STEP TO THIS! OO-OOP

by 79POCR
10:28 pm - Feb 8, '11

AMEN! ...it never ceases to

AMEN! ...it never ceases to amaze me how people who obviously have no idea regarding the mission and purpose of our organinzations seem to ALWAAAAAYYYYS have something negative to say or some kind of derogatory association to make between a Greek Organinzation and a gang or clique...so i guess any group of people who come together in unity with specific goals and united mission is a gang right...i guess unions are gangs too hunh or the national honor society is a clique right...maybe i should denounce my involvement with the NAACP or Salvation Army then you think? people please...i just cant this morning with the ignorance....that being said as i unite with my sistergreek above...i say Girl! please SAY IT AGAIN...to aaalllll the GDI's -- "DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU SPEAK, OTHERWISE, DONT STEP TO THIS"! and a big...BIG....SKEE-WEE! THEY WISH THEY COULD!!

by covergirl1908
10:39 am - Feb 9, '11

Honey we all can skee-wee but

Honey we all can skee-wee but you'll never OO-OOP. Remember, Deltas were akas just like all you. You all made your choice to stay now deal with it. Bye bye for now suga

by Labels and Pearls
2:29 pm - Feb 9, '11

Skee-Phi my sister!

Skee-Phi my sister! Wonderful comment....

by Turmoil
12:50 pm - Feb 9, '11

AMEN! ...it never ceases to

AMEN! ...it never ceases to amaze me how people who obviously have no idea regarding the mission and purpose of our organinzations seem to ALWAAAAAYYYYS have something negative to say or some kind of derogatory association to make between a Greek Organinzation and a gang or clique...so i guess any group of people who come together in unity with specific goals and united mission is a gang right...i guess unions are gangs too hunh or the national honor society is a clique right...maybe i should denounce my involvement with the NAACP or Salvation Army then you think? people please...i just cant this morning with the ignorance....that being said as i unite with this Delta sista above...i say girl! SAY IT AGAIN...to aaalllll the GDI's -- "DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU SPEAK, OTHERWISE, DONT STEP TO THIS"! and a big...BIG....SKEE-WEE! THEY WISH THEY COULD!!

by covergirl1908
10:32 am - Feb 9, '11