The Ahoskie Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. started the 2018 Sorority Year effective July 1, 2018. The first chapter meeting was held on Sept. 15, 2018. The membership enrollment is currently 67 members.

The sorority is a non-profit and non-partisan organization. The chapter does not endorse any political candidates. One of the sorority’s Five Point Programmatic Thrust is Political Awareness and Involvement. The chapter is totally involved in Social Action Issues.

One of the issues in the last mid-term election was voter suppression and voter fraud. The Ahoskie Alumnae Chapter became involved and applied for grants offered through Democracy NC. The applications submitted were approved and grant awards were given to the chapter. The Nonprofit Voter Engagement Program (2018) allowed the Roanoke Chowan area citizens to be educated about the importance of the mid-term elections. The Poll Monitoring Mini-Grant allowed the chapter to prepare and provide services for the citizens leading up to the mid-term elections.

The chapter was able to conduct the following: voter registrations throughout Bertie and Hertford counties; gave presentations to the citizens stressing the importance of voting; provided transportation to the polls; and educated the citizens on the six proposed Constitutional Amendments.

The first Candidate Forum given by the chapter was held on Oct. 25, 2018. Candidates listed on the Bertie and Hertford County ballots were invited to participate in the forum. The candidates informed the audience on several issues and the reason for seeking offices.

On Nov. 5, 2018 the chapter used radio time on WRCS to inform the listening audience about the importance of voting in the 2018 mid-term elections.

The General Election Day was held on Nov. 6, 2018. The ladies of the Ahoskie Alumnae Chapter worked as Poll Workers and Poll Monitors at Bertie and Hertford County Precincts. The job assignments were to assist in the voting process and to monitor the polls to make sure every citizen was given the right to vote and not to experience any voter suppression.

The chapter provided a Zumba Pink Party on Nov. 8, 2018 as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness. Monies were raised and the proceeds will be given to the American Cancer Society.

Recently, the chapter has begun working with the Youth Initiative Programs: Delta Academy, Delta GEMS, and EMBODI. The volunteers provide Educational and Life Skills Training Sessions for the youth in the communities.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 the Ahoskie Alumnae Chapter conducted an Adult Mental Health Training that was given by Trillium Health Resources of Greenville. The training allowed the chapter members to complete an 8-hour course for certification by the Mental Health First Aid in USA. Certified members will be available to provide assistance to people who have problems with depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and substance use disorder. The certification period is December 1, 2018 until December 1, 2021 for the next (3) years.

The Ahoskie Alumnae Chapter joined others and dressed in the color red to recognize the World Aids Day.

In the month of December, the Ahoskie Alumnae Chapter will prepare needed toiletries bags and Christmas cheer baskets for the needy families and residents in nearby nursing homes.

On January 20, 2019, the Ahoskie Alumnae Chapter will be observing the 40th annual tribute to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Ahoskie Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is proud to provide public services to the citizens of the Roanoke-Chowan Area.