| Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Knoxville Alumnae Chapter |
| About Us - Chapter History |
The first Knoxville chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was organized by Lutitia O' Neal
of Chattanooga, Tennessee, three local sorors, and the Regional Director. The local sorors
were Ruth Bond, Dorothy Shepherd, and Maureen Tinsley Taylor. The graduate chapter
was named Alpha Kappa Sigma, and had its origin with nine newly initiated charter
members:
Bessie Brice Marion Atkins Crippens,
Ruth Graham Mary Gillespie Jefferson,
Estelle Smith Lennon, Estelle Cary Merrifield
Lillian Cary Morrow Beulah Warren Sinclair
Martha Trigg Smith
*Soror Nora Turner Jackson was the first to be initiated into Alpha Kappa Sigma.**
In November 1938, the Regional Director created a mixed chapter by changing Alpha
Kappa Sigma to Beta Omicron. Beta Omicron accepted both graduate and undergraduate
members. However, the chapter had to abide by the rules of Knoxville College. Beta
Omicron worked jointly with sorors living in the city.
At the request of those sorors residing in the city, the chapters were separated in March
1947. The graduate chapter received its third charter in the name of Gamma Theta Sigma.
The undergraduate chapter at Knoxville College was given the name Gamma Mu.
Due to the increase in the number of chapters in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., all
alumnae chapters were given the name of their city location in the late 1950's if there was
only one chapter in the city. Thus, Gamma Theta Sigma became the Knoxville Alumnae
Chapter.
of Chattanooga, Tennessee, three local sorors, and the Regional Director. The local sorors
were Ruth Bond, Dorothy Shepherd, and Maureen Tinsley Taylor. The graduate chapter
was named Alpha Kappa Sigma, and had its origin with nine newly initiated charter
members:
Bessie Brice Marion Atkins Crippens,
Ruth Graham Mary Gillespie Jefferson,
Estelle Smith Lennon, Estelle Cary Merrifield
Lillian Cary Morrow Beulah Warren Sinclair
Martha Trigg Smith
*Soror Nora Turner Jackson was the first to be initiated into Alpha Kappa Sigma.**
In November 1938, the Regional Director created a mixed chapter by changing Alpha
Kappa Sigma to Beta Omicron. Beta Omicron accepted both graduate and undergraduate
members. However, the chapter had to abide by the rules of Knoxville College. Beta
Omicron worked jointly with sorors living in the city.
At the request of those sorors residing in the city, the chapters were separated in March
1947. The graduate chapter received its third charter in the name of Gamma Theta Sigma.
The undergraduate chapter at Knoxville College was given the name Gamma Mu.
Due to the increase in the number of chapters in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., all
alumnae chapters were given the name of their city location in the late 1950's if there was
only one chapter in the city. Thus, Gamma Theta Sigma became the Knoxville Alumnae
Chapter.
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