NorthJersey AlumnaeChapter

"NORTH JERSEY ALUMNAE CHAPTER - HERSTORY In 1939, very few African Americans had the opportunity to attend college. These fortunate few became the leaders of our communities. On June 11th of that year, fourteen women bonded together to establish KAPPA SIGMA CHAPTER - the FIRST chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in New Jersey. CHARTER MEMBERS: Julia Cheevers Oveta Jewell Audrey Johnson Edna Bullock Jones Vestella Lester Jayne Hammond Lewis Alvan Martan Dr. E. Mae McCarroll Gertrude Clark Morris Escobedo Posey Althea Richards Mary Silvers Alice Taylor Marcia Brown Williams The Chapter Members dedicated themselves to organizing and moving toward full civil rights for 'colored people.' 'The right to learn and the right to an education' became their creed. Kappa Sigma found the resources to bring the BOOKMOBILE - a mobile unit of library materials into the community affording Black people the opportunity to have an education. Kappa Sigma Chapter was also the catalyst for the development of one of the first 'colored' Girl Scout units in northern New Jersey and for the founding of a Teen Lift Program. Members raised funds for a Maternity Ward in Liberia, West Africa where African Americans who voluntarily left the United States returned. Those who remained in the U.S. had the fortitude to produce an Annual Jabberwock to raise monies for scholarships. The first Jabberwock was held at Griffith Auditorium in downtown Newark. An admissions fee of fifty cents was charged fueling the first scholarship of $250. As the first Chapter in New Jersey, Kappa Sigma Chapter members were instrumental in chartering numerous Chapters throughout the State. Those Chapters were Delta Zeta Chapter, Montclair Alumnae Chapter, Bergen County Alumnae Chapter and Rancocus Alumnae Chapter. In 1956, Kappa Sigma was renamed NORTH JERSEY ALUMNAE CHAPTER. With a membership of forty sorors, the Chapter moved toward the development of projects that would gain it national recognition for its commitment to scholarship and service. Over the years, the Chapter received numerous honors and commendations from New Jersey's governors, congressmen, mayors as well as Rev. Jesse Jackson with Operation PUSH. However, the Chapter's greatest rewards have come from the thousands of young people who have benefited from the Sorority's programs.North Jersey Alumnae Chapter mostly consists of Members from Essex, Hudson & Union Counties and is one of - if not THE - largest Chapter."