Delta Sigma Theta (ΔΣΘ) is a historically African American sorority that was founded at Howard University in 1913. Historically, the sorority had collegiate, alumnae, and mixed chapters, with the latter including both graduate or undergraduate members.
Initially, the alumnae chapters were called graduate chapters and were named using the Greek alphabet, like its collegiate chapters. Due to the growing number of chapters, the sorority voted to abandon this practice in December 1956 at its national convention.Shaped to Its Purpose: Delta Sigma Theta—the First Fifty Years by Mary Elizabeth Vroman pp 187–189 Following the vote, graduate chapters were called alumnae chapters were renamed according to the community in which they were located.
In the 1970s, the sorority discontinued mixed chapters, resulting in the establishment of new alumnae chapters."Chapter History". DST Des Moines Alumnae Chapter. Retrieved June 21, 2023. Following is a list of its alumnae chapters.