User:HistoricDST/Sandbox- Test

DRAFT -

"Delta Research and Educational Foundation"

The Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF) was established in 1967, as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc under the administration of the 13th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Geraldine P. Woods. The current mission of this over 34-year-old Foundation is to help strengthen and expand the charitable, educational, and scientific programs of the Sorority and other organizations with similar community service goals.

The programs are designed to increase the knowledge and methods of advancing the contribution of the Sorority's members and all individuals at the local, national and global levels. Scholarships are also provided to college women, undergraduates and graduates. DREF grants are awarded to increase the development of major public service, educational, social, economic, cultural and human relations programs. A major component and program of DREF, The Center for Research for African-American Women serves as a comprehensive database and resource on Africa-American Women and honors their roles and contributions in building the United States and the global community. REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:1 DREF provides: BENEFITS: DREF provides benefits for contributors to the international, national, regional and chapter activities of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. RESEARCH: DREF conducts research through The Center For Research on African American Women (CRAWW). CRAWW was established in 1997 to conduct and disseminate extensive research on African American women that is of great significance for policy development on local and national levels. Additionally, CRAWW seeks to conduct research that documents the contributions of African American women and to enhance the economic, educational, social and cultural well being of their communities. REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:2 The CRAWW has six organizational components to conduct the work of the Center. REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:3 They are as follows: (1)Research Library; (2) Research Databases; (3) Delta Research Projects; (4)DREF Forums, Symposia, Monographs, and Papers; (5)Vivian A. Ware Living Leadership Legacy Fellow(s) and Internship Program; and (6) Development of Research Proposals to External Foundations, Agencies, and Organizations. REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:4 PROGRAM INITATIVES: Education Symposium- EYES ON OUR YOUTH To convene individuals with a vested interest in the education of African American students for the purpose of designing replicable strategies for the empowerment of African American students, parents, and community groups. This effort will result in significantly improved achievement of African American students in the United States. Empower A School: Parental Involvement Initative DREF has provided grants to seven Delta chapters that have been selectged to pilot Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Empower a School: Parental Involvement Initiative. The chapters were identified and selected because of their extensive work with the Science and Everyday Experiences (SEE) Project through community outreach with parents and schools. Educational research suggests that the success of students is directly related to the extent that parents are involved in their education. Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF) and Project SEE partnered with Delta’s Education Taskforce of the Program Planning and Development Committee by awarding $1,000 to each of the seven chapters for research on parental involvement. The seven pilot chapters used this unique opportunity to implement a program in their local area. It is through partnerships and initiatives such as Empower a School that DREF promotes the programmatic thrust of the Sorority, assists chapters and provides vital research to improve the education of our children. DREF applauds the following chapters for their willingness to improve and strengthen families and communities: 1.Denver Alumnae Chapter, Janell I. Lindsey, President–Central Region; 2. Prince Georges County (Md.) Alumnae Chapter, Sinthea Kelly, President–Eastern Region; 3.Tucson Alumnae Chapter, Yvonne Height, President–Farwest Region; 4. Glen Ellyn Area (Ill.) Alumnae Chapter, Debbie Brooks, President–Midwest Region; 5.Durham Alumnae Chapter, Deloris Hargrow, President–South Atlantic Region; 6.North Dallas Suburban Alumnae Chapter, Margaret Turner Carrigan, President–Southwest Region; and 7.Rutherford County (Tenn.) Alumnae Chapter, Thaya G. Morant, President–Southern Region. REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:5 (Source: Summer 2007 Delta Journal)

Delta Science and Everyday Experiences (Delta SEE) Initiative: The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and DREF, in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, are implementing a 5-year Science and Everyday Experiences (SEE) Initiative. The National Science Foundation is funding this informal science education project via a $1.7 million grant. The SEE Initiative helps parents and caregivers of African American elementary and middle school age children (K-8) develop effective ways to support children's informal science and mathematics learning experiences. The trainers comprise a team that includes scientists, mathematicians, engineers, technologists, administrators and educators who are introducing our African-American elementary and middle school age children and their families to the joys of science and mathematics through informal science education. Major compoments of the Delta See Initative are the SEE experitments, Delta See Radio, and Delta See Cards, Delta See – Poster and Eassy Contest.REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:6 CRAAW Journal The CRAAW Journal was first published by DREF in July, 2000. The Journal uses the past as a lens through which African American women can understand the past, present, and future of African American women. This scholarly research journal has contained past papers received at DREF sponsored forums and programs. The CRAAW is housed within the Delta Research and Educational Foundation Headquarters, located in Washington, DC and co-headquartered with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The Center has released the spring 2007 issue of its journal, which focuses on “The Impact of Race and Poverty on African- American Women.” Delta Forums 2007 - Six annual Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital Forum. The topic of the forum was “School Segregation: promises of Brown & Prevailing Realities.” The forum addressed the fact that segregation continues and that true integration is often elusive. April 2, 2007 2007 - “Being Black and Blue: The Impact of Intimate Partner Abuse on Black Women in Februray 2007. The forum focused on the intersection of race, class, gender, age and the impact of intimate partner abuse. 2007 - A collegiate workshop was piloted during Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital to have collegiates assess how they can use the CRAAW journal. The workshop topic was “Alleviating Poverty through Business Ownership: A Pilot Study Using the CRAAW Journal.” The Center has partnered with the District of Columbia Department of Health, Maternal and Primary Care Division to present a series of forums on Black women and domestic violence. They were presented throughout the month of May 2007, which has been designated Women’s Health month. 2006 - For Better or For Worse: The Implications of Poverty, Gender and Race on African American Women and Their Families, Sept. 28, 2006. This Forum Discussion brings thought-provoking speakers, scholars, activists and community leaders to discuss poverty, race and gender and their impact on African American women and their families. These discussions promise to generate personal reflection and social action within our communities. This event will show the depths and varieties of women’s poverty. A distinguished panel will discuss and examine the connection between the social, economic, cultural and political impact of poverty on African American women and their families Sponsored by: Delta Research and Educational Foundation, The Center for Research on African American Women, and The Poverty & Race Research Action Council. 2005 - "Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act." 2004 - "Voters Rights and Voter Education." 2003 - "Delta's Mobilizing to Eliminate Health Insurance Disparities Among Women, Especially Women of Color." (made possible by a grant from Kellogg) 2002 - "Health Forum: Social Action Prescriptions for Healthy Families." 2001 - "Criminal Justice Forum: The Impact of the Criminal Justice System on Women and Their Families." 1999 - "Welfare to Work - Legislation and the Implications for African American Women." REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:7 LITERARY ARTS EVENTS CRAAW sponsored a series of book signings and seminars featuring: · Nikki Giovanni · Dr. Julianne Malveaux · Rosalyn Burrough · Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston and Dr. Gayle Porter · Delta Authors on Tour · Delta Literary Café · Occassions to Savior Style book producted in conjuction with Delta Commision on Arts and Letters. REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:8 Internship Program The Center for Research on African American Women internship program enables students to conduct research on and shape issues affecting African American women and their families. The Center’s internship program is one element in a range of efforts to increase access to useful and timely research on this marginalized group. REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:9

Fortitude The sculture Fortitude is the official symbol of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Fortitude was dedicated under the Administration of Thelma Thomas Dailey, 16th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and unveiled on the campus of Howard University on April 28, 1979. The sculpture Fortitude was desigend by James King. Delta Efforts to Combat Black Negative Media Images

Roses and Revolutions

In the 1970's Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. formed the company DST Telecommunications, Inc. The DST Telecommunications, Inc. company was formed to combat negative images of Black women and men in the media and inparticialurly to combat the black expo film boom of the 1970's. The DST Telecommunications, Inc. produced two notable productions the Album Roses and Revolutions and the full feature film Countdown at Kusini. The Albumn Roses and Revolutions{Insert a picture of the R&R Album here} which presents Black poetry, prose amd music, featuring Rubee Dee, Aretha Franklin, Leontne Price and others. R&R also features Margaret Walker's "For My People" as read by Founder Osceola Macarth Adams. Recently, Roses and Revolvations has been made available in the Compact Disk CD format and is available for purchase from the National Headquarters of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. Countdown at Kusini Countdown at Kusini is a full length feature film produced jointly by DST Telecommunicatons, and Tam International, Ltd. The film featured Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Greg Morris II, and others. The film was directed by Ossie Davis and shot on location in Laos, Nigeria. References: REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:1 REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:2 REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:3 REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:4 REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:5 REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:6 REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:7 REFERENCE/FOOTNOTE:8 REFERENCES/FOOT NOTE: 9 http://www.drefnet.org/atf/cf/{BE9BBD89-D526-4041-BBCD-E62B54F4A66D}/internship_announcement.pdf

REFERENCES/FOOT NOTE: REFERENCES/FOOT NOTE: REFERENCES/FOOT NOTE: REFERENCES/FOOT NOTE: REFERENCES/FOOT NOTE: REFERENCES/FOOT NOTE: REFERENCES/FOOT NOTE: REFERENCES/FOOT NOTE: REFERENCES/FOOT NOTE: In Search of Sisterhood: Delta Sigma Theta and the Challenge of the Black Sorority Movement by Paula Giddings. Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:HistoricDST"