Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, IncorporatedA Public Service Sorority Founded in 19131707 New Hampshire Avenue N.W. ▲ Washington, DC 20009 ▲ (202) 986-2504 ▲ Telefax (202) 986-2513FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Contact:December 10, 2012 Bernadine W. Stallings, (202) 986 – 2400bstallings@deltasigmatheta.orgElla McNair, (202) 986 – 2400emcnair@deltasigmatheta.orgDelta Sigma Theta Sorority Mourns Beloved19th National President, Dr. Yvonne KennedyWASHINGTON — The National President, National Executive Committee, Past National Presidents, National ExecutiveBoard and the entire membership of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. throughout its seven regions are profoundlysaddened by the loss of Dr. Yvonne Kennedy, the organization’s 19th National President. She was 67 years old.Dr. Kennedy was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1964 through the Beta Eta Chapter at Alabama StateUniversity in Montgomery, Ala., where she was crowned Miss Alabama State in 1965. Since her initiation into thesorority, she served in several leadership positions on the local, regional and national levels. She served as chapterpresident for the Mobile Alumnae Chapter from 1970-1974 and 1978-1982. She served as the director of the SouthernRegion from 1974- 1978. She also held the office of National First Vice President from 1983-88, before becoming theSorority's 19th National President from 1988-1992.“Dr. Kennedy was destined for leadership,” said Cynthia Butler-McIntyre, National President of Delta Sigma Theta. “Sheboldly embraced challenges, anticipated possibilities, and welcomed new opportunities to improve upon everycommunity, organization, or workplace she entered. She demanded and inspired greatness in all of us. She will surely bemissed.”During her tenure as National President, Dr. Kennedy continued the work of the previous administration and saw to thecompletion of renovations to Delta’s National Headquarters building while simultaneously increasing the organization’sglobal impact on the world. Under the theme, “Every Delta in the Delta House: Ignite a New Vision – Pass the Torch,”Dr. Kennedy launched DelShares program, a capital fund campaign to maintain and sustain headquarters renovations andoperations; and stressed reclamation efforts geared toward inactive members of the Sorority. Dr. Kennedy is most notedfor implementing SCHOOL AMERICA – a reading literacy program providing pre-school orientation for parents andcombating literacy issues – into the Sorority’s program initiatives in 1984.Under Dr. Kennedy’s leadership, Delta Sigma Theta launched three global health initiatives: Delta ADACE (Alcohol,Drug Abuse and AIDS Community Education) Project; Delta Immunization Project; and Project SMART (SeniorsMedication and Record Tracking). Delta Sigma Theta and the Delta Research and Educational Foundation also receivedclearance for two delegate positions as United Nations Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) during heradministration.Dr. Kennedy’s professional career was laden with accomplishments which led to her election to the Alabama House ofRepresentatives in 1979. She served as the representative for the 97th District until her passing. She was also the formerpresident of Bishop State Community College in Mobile from 1981 until 2007. She has been credited with the successfulexpansion of Bishop State, taking it from one campus to three during her tenure.Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre Dr. Paulette WalkerChelsea C. HayesBeverly E. SmithTerri R. PruntyRoseline McKinneyNational President National First Vice President National Second Vice President National SecretaryNational Treasurer Executive Director

As the state representative for Alabama’s 97th District, Dr. Kennedy served on numerous House Committees in the statelegislature including: Transportation Utilities and Infrastructure; Economic Development and Tourism (Ranking MinorityMember); Children and Senior Advocacy (Ranking Minority Member); and Mobile County Legislation. Dr. Kennedy’sother affiliations include: Chairman of the Mobile County United Negro College Fund Campaign, Youth Director for theBoard of Christian Education - Southeast Alabama Conference, and former Chairperson of the Alabama Legislative BlackCaucus.Dr. Kennedy received her B.S. from Alabama State University; a M.A. from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md.;a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama; and Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Lane College in Jackson, Tenn.“Dr. Kennedy’s passing comes to a shock to every member of Delta Sigma Theta,” said President Butler-McIntyre. “Shebelieved in constantly taking an inward look to evaluate and increase one’s self by building upon our laurels and notresting on them. I could not have imagined going into the beginning of Delta's next 100 years without her. She willforever remain in our hearts.”On Friday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., the members of Delta Sigma Theta will gather in Mobile, Ala. for the Omega Omegaceremony, the final rite of passage for members of the Sorority.Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. at the Mobile Convention Center.***Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University to promote academic excellence; toprovide scholarships; to provide support to the underserved; educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positivepublic policy; and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities. Today Delta Sigma Theta Sorority hasover 250,000 members and more than 900 chapters worldwide. The Sorority uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economicdevelopment, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awarenessand involvement to create its national programs.# # #