“Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is an organization of college educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on a Black community,” said Dimond Tucker, president of the Xi Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and senior BFA theatre performance major. “[Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.] was founded on principles of sisterhood, scholarship and service. We dedicate ourselves to giving back to the community, as well as really taking time in mentoring the youth.”
The Xi Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. dedicates itself to educational development surrounding mental and physical health with a primary focus on uplifting the Black community.
They follow in the footsteps of their founders – 22 women who marched in the women’s suffrage movement – by hosting many community events throughout the semester.
“[Last semester, we] partnered with the Union Baptist Church and the Girl Scout Troop to mentor young girls on mental health and the healthy ways to cope with that,” Tucker said. “We also had a women’s wellness talk where we had students donate menstrual products and feminine products to the Bethany House.”
Focusing on educational practices, the sorority also hosted a banned book drive. They gathered books for children that they believed were fundamental to learning despite being banned from curricula nationwide.
“To me, as president, these events mean the absolute world to me,” Tucker said. “You not only always want to give back to the community that raised you, but also that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to help; we’re here to inspire; we’re here to just give back and help people. To me, these events are truly successful in my eyes because we are brightening somebody’s day. We are helping somebody who needs it and it’s always good to be that given hand.”
The overall mission of Xi Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is to do good. For Tucker, she wants to not only support the community, but also her chapter.
“I try to lead with empathy,” Tucker said. “My girls mean everything to me. We are a sisterhood. We are tight. … If one of my sisters is not feeling well, I have to lift them up. I have to figure out what’s wrong; I have to push and motivate them.”
Tucker finds the uplifting support mutual between her chapter and her presidency.
“They mean everything to me,” Tucker said. “They support me. They pick me up when I’m down; they are the sisters that you have. They’re there to correct you; they’re there to help you. I’m never alone and I never feel alone. I feel like with the Xi Gamma chapter, especially, I finally found a group that actually sees me for who I am.”
Tucker opens the organization to any Black woman who wants to join her community.
“We have events throughout the semester that are open to anybody and everybody,” Tucker said. “We do a lot of tabling – a lot of people who don’t know [Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc] come up to our table and we educate them. We tell them to come to our community service events to see us in action. We encourage recruitment through the events that we have as well as tabling around campus.”
The Xi Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a part of the Divine Nine (D9) fraternities and sororities, so any new member is committing to an organization with a rich and meaningful history.
“[Being a part of the D9] means coming together with people who have the same visions with myself and coming together to creating a better change as well as a greater good for the world; help people that may be scared to speak up, to be that spokesperson for them, to encourage them,” Tucker said. “Being a part of the [D9] makes me feel very proud to be Black and as well as being part of something greater and something that will change the world in a very good way.”
The Xi Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a small community on Hofstra University’s campus but has strong and mighty leadership. They remain focused on their goals and values throughout their practice.
“I’m so proud of all of the organizations and how far they have come,” Tucker said. “I’m very proud to be a member of [Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.] – it has changed my life for the greater good and I just want to thank everybody for believing in me and putting me in this position. I believe that Delta can really change the trajectory of campus life, so I’m very proud.”
