Global Excellence Through Service and Fortitude
The Queens Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was chartered on June 4, 1951. The present chapter name is actually its third. The original name was Delta Theta Sigma Chapter. In 1957, we became the Long Island Alumnae Chapter. Finally in 1964, we were renamed to Queens Alumnae Chapter. Ethel Cuff Black, one of the 22 Founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was one of the charter members of the chapter. Founder Black remained active until her retirement. At present, the chapter has over 200 members; all hold a minimum of a Bachelor's degree. Approximately 75% of the membership hold postgraduate degrees. The chapter welcomes the opportunity to partner with other organizations and community leaders that share the same goals and ideals. The charge of the chapter continues to be that of offering programs and services for the betterment of humanity.
Ethel Cuff Black
Ethel Cuff Black was born October 17, 1890 in Wilmington, Delaware. Her mother, Letitia Wilson Cuff, was the daughter of Moses and Susan Wilson, free Blacks and property owners. Founder Black graduated cum laude from Howard University in 1915. While at Howard University, she joined twenty-one other women in the founding of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. On June 4, 1951, Founder Black and 10 other women chartered the Queens Alumnae Chapter in Queens, New York.
Founder Black married David Horton Black, a successful real estate agent and resided in Jamaica, New York. Throughout her professional career, she taught in several institutions of learning. Of significant note, she was the first African American teacher at P.S. 108 in South Ozone Park, New York. After twenty-seven years of teaching at P.S. 108, she retired in 1957. She enjoyed writing and received a special recognition award from Readers Digest. After an illness, she entered eternal peace on September 22, 1977.
1890-1977
Chapter Charter Members
Award Winning Programming
Since 1951, Queens Alumnae has worked tirelessly to award scholarships to deserving students though its scholarship program. The chapter has awarded well over half of a million dollars in scholarships to date. Each year the chapter implements an agenda that encompasses the Sorority’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust. The charge of the chapter continues to be that of offering programs and services for the betterment of the Queens community.
Some of the programs include:
● An annual tour of historically black colleges and universities
● Ongoing voter registration and education
● Preservation of the Lewis Latimer House Museum
● Adoption of the New Horizon School for students with special needs in Accra, Ghana
● Sponsor youth programs, such as The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy
The Queens Alumnae Chapter continues to be the recipient of numerous awards for its exemplary programs and initiatives, many of which are listed on our Regional Recognition page.
