Book SummaryIn Search of Sisterhood, by Paula Giddings

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of In Search of Sisterhood

The founding and early growth of Delta Sigma Theta.

In 1913, 22 collegiate women at Howard University founded Delta Sigma Theta with the intention of creating an organization that would stand apart from the pre-existing Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority for African American women.

The group was founded by accomplished students who were deeply involved in a diverse array of campus activities, spanning from the arts and academics to various student organizations.

Giddings acquaints us with the twenty-two women who established Delta Sigma Theta. The women came from various parts of the United States, including the South, the Midwest, and extending to the Northeast. The organization consisted of pioneers in their families who pursued higher education and also encompassed individuals from well-established middle-class backgrounds. Despite their diverse origins, they all shared a dedication to scholarly achievement and a fervent engagement with the community. Numerous individuals assumed pivotal roles within their academic cohorts, with Madree White serving as treasurer, journalist, and second in command, while Osceola Adams, alongside Winona Alexander and Bertha Campbell, were designated as vice-presidents, with Adams also fulfilling the duties of recording secretary.

Numerous members participated in a wide array of pursuits outside the academic sphere of Howard, demonstrating the expansive emphasis that black sororities place on educational endeavors. The women were active in multiple university organizations such as the Choral Society and the Dramatic Club, in addition to being members of six societies focused on literature and debate. The Deltas were actively engaged with the growing YWCA, an organization that resonated with their dedication to nurturing Christian principles and fostering a strong commitment to community service. Giddings highlights Myra Hemmings' significant contributions to the music department under the mentorship of the respected Professor Childers, and her deep engagement with the Alpha Phi Literary Society. Additionally, a multitude of members participated in competitions that highlighted their oratorical skills as they vied with fellow members. Their involvement in these activities not only sharpened their individual abilities but also cultivated essential relationships that played a pivotal role in founding Delta Sigma Theta.

Practical Tips

• Start a peer-to-peer skill-sharing session in your dorm or student community. This allows you to share something you're good at and learn from others' expertise in return. For instance, if you're proficient in a language, offer conversational practice sessions while learning about graphic design from a fellow student.
• You can explore the diversity of perspectives in your own network by initiating a virtual "Founders' Meetup" where individuals from different regions share their entrepreneurial journeys. Set up a monthly online meeting where people from various locations can discuss their business challenges and successes, fostering a sense of unity and diversity similar to that of the founders in the assertion. This could lead to new insights and collaborations that wouldn't have occurred in a more homogenous group.
• Create a blog or podcast series featuring stories of entrepreneurs with diverse educational experiences, focusing on how their learning journey shaped their business philosophy. This can serve as an inspiration and learning resource for others, highlighting the practical application of education in the business world.
• Explore your family history to understand your socioeconomic background and its influence on your current opportunities. By creating a family tree that includes occupations, education levels, and any known financial milestones, you can gain insight into how your upbringing may have shaped your perspective on success and risk-taking. This can help you identify any advantages or obstacles you may have inherited and inform your future decisions.
• You can foster a love for learning by starting a personal project that requires researching a topic you're passionate about. Dive into online courses, local workshops, or library resources to deepen your knowledge, and share your findings with friends or through social media to engage with a community interested in similar topics.
• Start a personal project that requires wearing multiple hats. Create a blog, a YouTube channel, or an online community where you're responsible for content creation, financial management, and strategic planning. This will not only improve your skills in these areas but also give you a practical understanding of how to juggle multiple responsibilities effectively.
• You can explore the historical impact of female leadership by researching local women who held significant roles in your community's past. Start by visiting your local library or historical society to gather information about women who have been influential in shaping your community. This could include political figures, activists, educators, or business leaders. Compile their stories and consider how their leadership styles and challenges compare to those of Osceola Adams, Winona Alexander, and Bertha Campbell.
• Implement a digital note-taking system to organize your thoughts and tasks more efficiently. Use apps like Evernote or Google Keep to create a structured repository of your ideas, to-do lists, and meeting notes. This practice can improve your ability to capture important information and access it when needed, much like a recording secretary would.
• You can enhance your professional network by joining a local club or society related to your field of interest. By doing so, you'll meet peers and industry professionals, which can lead to mentorship opportunities, collaborations, or job prospects. For example, if you're interested in environmental science, seek out a local conservation group or a chapter of a national...

In Search of Sisterhood Summary Delta Sigma Theta's active participation in the civil rights movement and its commitment to public service.

The organization broadened its impact and bolstered the civil rights movement through the growth of its membership and pooled resources.

The Delta Sigma Theta Vigilance Committee proactively monitored legislative and government activities, championing anti-lynching legislation, fair employment practices, and the advancement of civil rights.

The Delta organization committed itself to advocating for social justice issues in response to the economic and political challenges of the 1930s, as well as the rise in racial discrimination. Although the sorority had taken its first public stand against racism in 1925, Giddings points to the 1930s as the period when its political activism became more clearly articulated and institutionalized through its Vigilance Committee, established during Anna Julian’s presidency. During the period known as the Great Migration, there was a disturbing rise in the number of lynchings, and racist violence spread to the northern areas. The author details Delta’s efforts to galvanize its membership to apply pressure for a federal antilynching law – an effort spearheaded by the NAACP that the sorority supported through its own letter writing...

In Search of Sisterhood Summary The development and refinement of the organizational framework and administrative procedures within Delta Sigma Theta.

Delta Sigma Theta's leadership grappled with challenges of maintaining high academic standards while expanding membership and diversifying programs.

Conversations often centered on finding equilibrium between community engagement and service projects, as well as establishing academic standards and differentiating the roles of members at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Giddings depicts the Delta's continuous commitment to maintaining high academic standards, while also recognizing the importance of evolving over time. In the 1930s, she explains, the tension surfaced once again, with discussions centering on the inclusion of educational institutions that were classified with a "B" rating by the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in the Southern States. The group encountered difficulties in expanding its base to encompass a wider array of African American women from different educational backgrounds, especially those from institutions in the southern United States, while still maintaining its reputation for prioritizing scholarly achievement. Giddings highlights the complex discussions that culminated in a consensus, particularly noting the decision...