The chapter’s programs of economic development include support to Black businesses in San Francisco and on the Peninsula, Meals to the Salvation Army, food baskets to families, Battered women, and Habitat for Humanity. The chapter has lifetime memberships in the San Francisco and San Mateo chapters of the NAACP, supporting the organization’s goals of political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons.

The political arm of the chapter developed projects that would engage the community in political action directed to electing qualified leaders and developing strategies to empower the African-American communities. The chapter sends annually members to the Delta Days at the State Capital in Sacramento to update its knowledge of the state and national political scene to acquire current resources and connections to assist the chapter in designing programs that are applicable to the needs and concerns of African-Americans. “Get Out the Vote” program, a program designed to identify African-American candidates, participate in candidate forums, educate and register voters has been very successful.

Throughout the chapter’s history there have been numerous chapter projects directed toward improving the quality of the physical and mental health for citizens of all ages. Some of the chapter projects include the first Walk-A thon in 1992, a food donation program for needy families, Black child Adoption program support, Tutoring for Success and Self-Esteem for Disadvantaged Youth, and adopting Malaika and Jelani Houses to provide services to women in recovery and women suffering from abuse. The chapter began partnering in 1996 with the African American Community Health Advisory Committee of Mills Peninsula Health Services in the following areas: Tutoring for Success and Self-Esteem for Disadvantaged Youth Tutoring for Success and Self-Esteem for Disadvantaged Youth Breast and Prostrate Cancer, Diabetes Awareness, Soul Stroll for Health in 2000, and Women Health issues.

Over the years the chapter’s commitment to quality living has extended across the sea since September 1991 when the chapter’s first International Awareness Program was begun. This program provided support to Helpage Ghana, a voluntary organization which promotes the well-being of senior citizens and Legon University Hospital in need of hospital supplies. Years later, Africare, an organization committed to improving the life of rural Africa was added to the International Program. The chapter has also partnered with Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, to provide financial support to Mother of Peace Community-Zimbabwe for the Children’s Relief Fund.

The influence of this chapter has been felt throughout the area: from the Adult Literacy Center in San Francisco to the Women’s Black Infant Program in East Palo. In addition, the chapter leadership and local community activities have been recognized and honored regionally and nationally. High profile events sponsored by the chapter were used to promote public service, scholarship efforts and acquire finances to support the chapter’s effort to improve the quality of live of our Bay Area communities. To raise additional funds for scholarships, the chapter has hosted the annual Golf Tournament since 1981. The tournament is named in honor of Mr. Seaborn Burks, the first coordinator and innovator of the tournament. To recognize and encourage successful people and organizations who have set loft goals for humanity, the chapter gives Community Incentive Awards to organizations that promote innovative and educational programs in their communities and Community Service Awards that recognize individuals who serve their communities with distinction at May Week Celebrations. To focus the community on social action that gives “voice to the voiceless” the chapter had its first Social Action Luncheon May 1, 1994 to bring together the community to highlight the talents of visionary political women who craftily used resources and political processes that build stronger, safe African-American communities. To acknowledge the Christian principles upon which the sorority was built, every year the chapter worships at a church service of one of the churches in our community and through the years has recognized churches and their leaders who strengthen our community’s foundation with their talents and spiritual energy. In 1980 the first Gala, which provided an evening of elegance and splendor, was the chapter’s first fundraising effort.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority continues to have a forceful impact on the affairs of the community, as well as upon the social concerns of Americans everywhere. This is due in part because of the day to day efforts of Delta women throughout the country. The San Francisco Peninsula Alumnae Chapter recognized that the influence of the local chapter of the sorority in this community could be directly attributed to a few pioneers who consistently “keep the flame of Delta burning.” The chapter felt that these efforts should be honored, hence in 1982 the annual Bertha Pitts Campbell Award was established as an “in-house” recognition award of chapter members in honor of the only founder from the Farwest Region, Soror Bertha Pitts Campbell and in 1988 the Patricia Roberts Harris Award was established to honor other sorority sisters for their efforts. Soror Ostenia Fleming was the first recipient because of her work in establishing the presence of Delta in the San Francisco Bay area for over forty years.

The chapter recognized the importance of strengthening the membership ranks with talented women committed to public service, energizing the chapter members to build spirited chapter participation, and creating a vehicle for sustaining the financial commitments of the chapter. To that end in March 1986, the first line of seven women was initiated. In August 1991, the chapter’s first newsletter, Delta Dialogue, was created providing an information medium to ensure that all members of the chapter had a common bank of knowledge that informed, uplifted and encouraged participation. In August 1999 the Delta San Francisco-Peninsula Foundation received its 501 (C) (3) as a non-profit organization. The Foundation was established to ensure the chapter’s ability to assist the chapter with long term scholarship support and expand the chapter’s ability to secure funding from corporate sponsors and/or individuals. The Foundation got its impetus and energy from the efforts of a Board of Directors who raise and manage the funds. The San Francisco Peninsula chapter moves forward with a talented membership, a strong Five Point Program and a financial plan to ensure fulfillment of the chapter goals.

The chapter’s history is rich. That history provides the chapter with the foundation to address the challenges and opportunities of the future. In addition, it empowers the chapter to utilize the Christian principles upon which the sorority was founded to drive the chapter’s continued commitment to a strong bond of sisterhood and public service, ever mindful of its duty and honor to serve Bay Area communities.