Jefferson City sorority celebrates 80 years

The Jefferson City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will celebrate 80 years of existence Saturday.

The event, featuring guest speaker the Rev. Karla J. Cooper, will be in the Scruggs Student Center ballroom on the campus of Lincoln University.

Cooper is a sought-after speaker on issues of child advocacy, public policy, systems reform and cultural diversity, according to a news release from the sorority. She has served on many boards and commissions including Girls Scouts - Cotton Boll Council, Girl Scouts - Homestead Council, Bootheel Heart Health Coalition, Minority Health Initiative, Fresh Start Board, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. National Executive Board/Central regional director and more.

The Jefferson City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is a public service organization founded on April 7, 1939. The chapter has contributed financial and work hours to River City Habitat for Humanity, purchased playground equipment and toys for children at the Jefferson City Community Center, coordinated the citywide March of Dimes Campaign, and provided financial and volunteer support to the American Cancer Society. The chapter has also given support to the Samaritan Center, the Special Learning Center, and the Rape & Abuse Crisis Service of Jefferson City.

Most recently, the chapter volunteered with The Salvation Army and is heavily involved in Youth Imitative programs the Delta GEMS and EMBODI. These programs are designed for the organization to work with young ladies (Delta GEMS) and young men (EMBODI) in eighth through 12th grades to provide them with skills to grow and empower themselves and to assist them in their preparation for college and the future.

Each year, the chapter awards two scholarships, one to a graduating high school student and one to a student enrolled at Lincoln University.

"Our core identity of our organization is that we are a sisterhood of educated black women providing public service to our local communities," chapter President Gwendolyn Edmonson said in the news release. "We invite you to come out and join us as we celebrate our 80 years of existence. We look forward to providing service to this community for the next 80 years."

Saturday's event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served after the event.