By Kendra Bryant
Special to the AFRO
Morgan State University’s Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. chapter hosted a “Centennial Celebration” on April 25 in the campus’ Student Center ballroom.
The Alpha Gamma Chapter was chartered on April 26, 1926, and now celebrates with the theme “A Century Strong: 100 Years of Power and Purpose.”
“We come from women, our founders, who were told no and turned it into ‘watch me,’” said Rosie Allen-Herring, first vice president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “They’ve carried families and movements, the culture, the future, often without recognition and often without rest.”
The Rev. Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, CEO and publisher of the Afro-American Newspapers, was the keynote speaker, focusing on how to keep the legacy moving forward.
“Baltimore was a city shaped by segregation,” said Draper. “There were limits on where you could live, where you could study and where you could work. At the same time, this was the era of what can be known as the ‘New Negro.’ Black communities were asserting dignity, improving institutions and insisting on being seen and heard at all times.”
Draper graduated from Morgan State in 1969 and was initiated in the fall 1968 “Supreme 19” line of Alpha Gamma.
“Those six women (founders of Alpha Gamma) chose discipline over distraction, purpose over limitation and community over isolation,” said Draper. “They were laying the groundwork true to the ideal of Delta. They founded Alpha Gamma with courage and clarity.”
The media executive shares a close connection with the sorority as her grandmother, Vashti Turley Murphey, was one of the founding members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
“My grandmother passed away around my 12th birthday,” said Draper. “Although she is not here, her legacy remains within Delta. She’d always say “be strong, be strong, be strong, oh to be.”
The distinguished centenarian honor was given to the oldest living member of the Alpha Gamma Chapter, Frances Gaines, 101. She graduated from Morgan in 1947 with a degree in physical education and joined Delta in spring 1946.
To conclude the night, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. sing “Delta Sweetheart.” All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Michelin Bowman, the event’s mistress of ceremonies, is an initiate of Alpha Gamma’s fall 1986 cohort. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Victoria Person, “Red Alert,” owner of Gratitude and Grace Artistry, is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Alpha Gamma Chapter, initiated in 1988. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
A tradition in Divine Nine organizations is wearing coordinated attire. Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. wear dresses or pantsuits with pearls. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Morgan State University’s student ballroom is decorated in crimson and white. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Frances Gaines, 101, is the oldest living member of Alpha Gamma. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Historians of the Alpha Gamma Chapter compile archival and recent images capturing generations of the chapter. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Wanda Wombley, “Six Alpha Gamma 81,” initiated into Alpha Gamma in 1981, and Dr. Stephanie Dennis, “Dr. Ruth,” are members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. through the University of Maryland Baltimore County’s Lambda Kappa Chapter in 1986. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Carla Chase (far left), advisor of Alpha Gamma and a spring 1993 initiate; Monique Cephas, a University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Lambda Kappa Chapter member; and Kisha Watkins Parker, a spring 1998 initiate of Lambda Kappa, share memories of sisterhood. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Kwanzaa James, “The Final Say,” is a sociology graduate of Morgan State University, Class of 2012, and a fall 2011 initiate of the Alpha Gamma chapter. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Keynote speaker the Rev. Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper (far left), a fall 1968 initiate of Alpha Gamma and granddaughter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. founder Vashti Turley Murphey, shares the stage with Thelma Daley, 16th national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Rosie Allen-Herring, national first vice president. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
From left, Kaylah Crawford, “The Guardian,” fall 2017 initiate of West Virginia University’s Omicron Upsilon Chapter and Tonya Bannister, “AT and T,” a spring 1995 initiate of Morgan State University’s Alpha Gamma Chapter, support Red Elephants 36 Designs owner Marlene Johnson-Anderson, “King James,” a spring 1995 initiate of Alpha Gamma. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
The Alpha Gamma Chapter celebrates 100 years of continued service and leadership on Morgan State University’s campus. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Alpha Gamma welcomes its spring 2025 line, “DamAGe Control.” All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
The Alpha Gamma Chapter was chartered on April 26, 1926, at Morgan College, now known as Morgan State University. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. stroll to “Got to Be Real” by Cheryl Lynn. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Sponsors of the gala include Altus Technology Solutions, Mr. and Miss Morgan of 1998 and 1999, Allan Boomer and La Kisha Davis; and Alpha Gamma Chapter members ranging from spring 1969 to fall 2013. All Credit: (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant)
“I give all the honor to God,” said Gaines. “Here’s to many more years of service.”
The event featured vendors such as Gratitude and Grace Artistry and Red Elephants 36 Designs, businesses that feature pieces specifically catered to members and created by Delta sorors.
“I named my business Gratitude and Grace Artistry because I am very grateful for the opportunity to not only be a Delta but to serve in Delta,” said owner Victoria Person, a member of Alpha Gamma Chapter’s 1988 line. “It makes me proud to be a part of an organization that embraces sisterhood, that embraces the wellbeing of others through their social action impact.”
Personal proclamations were given from local and national leaders such as Morgan State President Dr. David K. Wilson, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, U.S. Rep. Kwesi Mfume (D-Md.-07), and U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), who is a fellow member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
“One hundred years of impact has shaped not only this campus,” said Briana Fletcher, Alpha Gamma Chapter president and initiate of spring 2025. “I do not take this responsibility lightly, especially as someone who is still new to the Delta world. This chapter has taught me how to lead with purpose, serve with a vision and to lead with excellence with everything they do. This week is more than a celebration, but a reminder that we are responsible for carrying the legacy forward.”
Generations of Alpha Gamma members have made pivotal contributions to the Baltimore HBCU, serving as Miss Morgan State University, Student Government Association (SGA) president, vice president and class president.
Alpha Gamma plans to raise funds and increase endowment support for a monument on Morgan State’s campus through the Centennial Legacy Challenge.
“It is our responsibility to continue the great legacy that has been set before us,” said Allen-Herring. “There is one that I am sure will not let this torch fall, none other than the Alpha Gamma Chapter.”