Dr. Deborah Thigpen
Gadsden County News Service
The tenacious women of the Gadsden County Florida Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. recently gathered to celebrate a monumental milestone: 35 years of dedicated service to the local community.
Commemorating the chapter’s founding, members gathered for a celebratory dinner held at the historic Wilson House in Quincy. The evening was highlighted by the presence of six of the chapter’s 24 original charter members, who stood as living testaments to the organization’s enduring legacy.
Charter member Jean Jasmin reflected on the chapter’s humble beginnings and the sheer determination that brought their initial vision to life.
“When we chartered this chapter 35 years ago, we were small in number, but our vision was vast,” Jasmin recalled. “We rolled up our sleeves and worked collaboratively to uphold the core mission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. through sisterhood, scholarship and service. Through unwavering teamwork, fierce dedication and meaningful community service initiatives, we not only successfully achieved our early milestones, but we truly made a lasting, positive impact within Gadsden County.”
Looking back on three and a half decades of continuous community action, Jasmin offered profound advice for the women who will carry the torch forward.
“The most important lesson I would pass down to the newer generations of Deltas is to always protect and fiercely nurture the spirit of genuine sisterhood,” Jasmin said. “A chapter thrives when members support one another, communicate with respect and remain united in purpose, even during challenges. Programs and leadership will inevitably change over time, but the true strength of the chapter will always depend on the dedication, integrity and collaboration of its members.”
Today, that foundational strength continues to propel the organization forward under the leadership of chapter President Richele Robinson. The Gadsden County Florida Alumnae Chapter continues to deliver vital programs addressing education, health, international development and the strengthening of the African American family.
These ongoing efforts align seamlessly with Delta Sigma Theta’s national Five-Point Programmatic Thrust, which focuses on:
1. Educational development
2. Economic development
3. International awareness
4. Political awareness
5. Physical and mental health
During the celebration, Robinson also looked to the horizon, sharing an ambitious and optimistic vision for the expansion of future programs in Gadsden County to ensure the chapter meets the evolving needs of the community it serves.
The six charter members in attendance, pictured seated left to right at the Wilson House celebration, were Brina Hamilton, Alice Williams, Agatha Muse Lamb, Jean Jasmin, Shelia Atkins and Vicki Muse Johnson.
