On Jan. 13, 1913, 22 women at Howard University founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Since then, the sorority has seen many outstanding women among its membership and honorary ranks. Here are 12 of them.
1. Dorothy Height
Rho chapter
Civil rights leader
2. Melissa Harris-Perry
Pi Omicron chapter
Professor, public intellectual
3. Angela Bassett
Honorary member
Actress
4. Shirley Chisholm
Brooklyn Alumnae chapter
Former U.S. congresswoman from New York’s 12th District
5. Mara Brock Akil
Theta Alpha chapter
Television writer, producer
6. Nikki Giovanni
Honorary member
Poet
7. Sheryl Lee Ralph
Honorary member
Actress, singer, activist
8. Barbara Jordan
Delta Gamma chapter
Former U.S. congresswoman from Texas’ 18th District
9. Keisha Knight Pulliam
Eta Kappa chapter
Actress
10. Mary McLeod Bethune
Honorary member
Founder of National Council of Negro Women, civil rights activist
11. Lena Horne
Honorary member
Singer, actress
12. Soledad O’Brien
Honorary member
Journalist