Page 7 - APRIL 2019

Annual Delta Days at the Nation’s Capital

30th Anniversary 1989-2019

A Recap

More than eleven hundred sorors met in Social Justice Sunday began with a soul stir-
Washington, D.C in early March to attend the ring message from Rev. John Faison, Senior
30th Annual Delta Days In The Nation’s Capi- Pastor of Watson
tal (DDNC). National President Beverly E. Smith wel- Grove Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. Rev. Faison’s
comed the attendees in the opening session. Presi- message entitled “We Have Seen This Before” (It’s All
dent Smith reminded the attendees that there is a Re-run) (Exodus 1:6) provided assurance that there
“power in our voice” and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, is nothing happening today that the Father has not
Inc. is the only African American organization with a seen or cannot handle. He stated three very im-
persistent presence on Capitol Hill. portant principles—1) God will always deliver and
A reenactment of the planning meeting for the first take care of His people; 2) Remain on the right
DDNC provided the background for the creation of the side...you have to DETOX before you can deliver; 3)
event. The planning meeting was held at the “kitchen when you do all that you can do, God will do what you
table” of Soror Anita Moore-Hackney and was attend- can’t, because He already know how it will end.
ed by Sorors Gwendolyn Boyd (Eastern Regional Di- With the groundwork laid during Social Justice Sun-
rector), Beverly Smith (Executive Director) and Althea day, sorors began framing the legislative agenda.
T.L. Simmons. Soror Yvonne Kennedy was the Na- Workshops and forums provided a wealth of infor-
tional President at the time of the planning. At the mation on various topics of concerns. The following
time, the Farwest and Southwest Regions were hold- topics were discussed: Healthcare/Medicaid Expan-
ing meeting at state capitals and served as models for sion, 2020 Census, gun control and sensible gun
the vision. The NAACP was the only African Ameri- laws, human trafficking, sexual assault and domestic
can organization that had ever met consistently with violence, education and gender and equity pay. The
members of Congress and provided the blueprint to information provided can be used to enhance pro-
follow. After much planning, the first DDNC was exe- grams currently in place in many chapters.
cuted and has been going strong ever since. Unfortu-
nately, Soror Simmons was very ill during most of the Monday’s sessions included discussions on electoral
planning and passed away before the inaugural accountability and the importance of the 2020 Cen-
event, but is given much credit for the critical planning sus. Presenters provided information on holding
elements of DDNC. elected officials responsive and accountable. Strate-
gies on counting all citizens to maintain congressional
The planning committee then and now are steadfast seats were discussed as well. The Honorable An-
in our quest to level the playing field in all areas of drew Gillium was the keynote speaker for the Social
advocacy. The take away messages are consistent— Action Luncheon.
”never let them see you sweat” and “don’t play with
us, we are not playing with you”! The charge before heading to “The Hill” consisted of a
reminder that Social Action is not only what we do, it

The first day ended with a panel discussion, Black Girl is who we are. Sorors were encouraged to continue
Magic: Black Women Winning Elections. The panelist to do what we said we would do when we took our
were The Honorable Tracy grant (Mayor of Edmon- Delta Oath….use our influence toward the enactment
ston, MD), The Honorable Tishaura Jones (Treasurer of laws for the protection of the unfortunate and weak.
for the City of St. Louis, MO) and The Honorable Glo- The 30th Annual Delta Days ended on Tuesday after-
ria Reno (Presiding Judge 21st Circuit Court St. Louis noon with visits to members of Congress. The Ala-
County, MO). The discussion focused on the chal- bama delegation visited representatives of Rep. Terri
lenges and victories of being black female leading Sewell, Rep. Mo Brooks, Rep. Martha Roby, and Sen.
major cities. By consensus the panel agreed that Richard Shelby. Sen. Doug Jones and assigned staff
black women get elected to do something not to be members meet with us to hear our concerns.
something.

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