Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - Denver Alumnae Chapter

Chapter History In 1939, three members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. living in Denver, Mae Adams, graduate of West Virginia State University; Elaine Brown Jenkins, graduate of The Ohio State University and Jessie Whaley Maxwell, graduate of Bishop College, caught the vision that led the sorority’s 22 founders at Howard University to boldly insist on creating an organization with a broad scope for change and progress; a national organization shaped to its purpose. The women saw in Denver the need for the kind of social activism and sustained, substantial public service being fostered by their glorious sisterhood through more than 60 undergraduate and graduate chapters spread throughout the country. Elaine Brown Jenkins was designated to write Grand Chapter to explore the possibility of establishing a Delta chapter in Denver. Grand Chapter responded to the letter by sending Grand Chapter Secretary Edna Kinchion to the city of Denver. Kinchion met with the women and on February 18, 1939, in the home of Elaine Brown Jenkins, led them in an initiation of 5 more women into the sorority and the formation of the Beta Phi Chapter. The neophyte members were Kathryn Cohron, Eleanor Critz, Ruby Cohron Wright, Claudine McCloud and Marian Morrison Robinson. Immediately following the initiation, the first officers were elected. Elaine Brown Jenkins, President; Mae Adams, Vice President; Marian Morrison Robinson, Recording Secretary; Kathryn Cohron, Correspondence Secretary; Jessie Whaley Maxwell, Treasurer, Claudine McCloud, Journalist; Ruby Cohron, Parliamentarian and Sergeant-at-arms and Eleanor Critz, Custodian. The following Sunday morning, at Denver’s Shorter A.M.E. Church, Grand Chapter Secretary Kinchion presented the new Beta Phi Chapter* of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The topic of Secretary Kinchion’s presentation was, “Our Responsibility.” The event set the tone of committed service that continues to guide the Denver Alumnae Chapter and established the practice of group worship known as “Delta Day at Church,” a joyous chapter tradition for the past 73 years. The remarkable spirit of cooperation, respect, and support that exists between Denver Deltas and other Denver Greek letter organizations was also forged on this day. In addition to receiving greetings from the other organizations during the service, on Sunday evening the Deltas were honored with an open house held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wood. The sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority decorated the house beautifully with flowers and the porch was illuminated by a beautiful wood carving of the Delta emblem presented to the Chapter by the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. With a foundation in place, the women of Beta Phi–many of whom were educators in the Denver Public School system–proceeded to make their mark of Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service in the Community. On May 5, 1939, the first Jabberwock and Scholarship presentation was held at Cole Junior High School. Ramona Rahming McHenry was crowned the first Jabberwock Queen and later became a Delta.