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Chartering
The inspiration, dedication, determination, and spirit of our original 22 Founders led 15 women to band together to form the dynamic Dillon-Marion County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The fifteen Charter Members who saw fit to start this chapter were all members of the Florence Alumnae Chapter based in Florence, South Carolina. The Florence Alumnae Chapter included members from Florence, Darlington, Marion, and Mullins.

 

The fifteen Charter Members had worked diligently with the Florence Alumnae Chapter to bring many programs to the Mullins, Marion, and Dillon areas. A Delta youth group was started in the Marion and Mullins area, along with a Delta Girls’ Club that was founded in Mullins by Charter Members Soror Azalee Smith and Soror Fannie Mason. The Charter Members of the Dillon-Marion Alumnae Chapter worked to make sure the communities of Mullins, Marion, and Dillon were always represented in the Jabberwock Program, Scholarship Programs, Summit I, Summit II, and Summit III.

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In 1996 members from Marion, Mullins, and Dillon began once again to entertain an idea, which had been discussed on many occasions before, to seek a Charter for a chapter in the Dillon-Marion County area. They had a vision to come home to their community and provide “wrap around services,” filled with compassion and love. Contact was made with Regional Director, Soror Nettie Faulcon, at a State Cluster Meeting held at Francis Marion University. Soror Faulcon informed Soror Fannie Mason about what would be needed and encouraged the group to get started so that the process could be completed before the end of the term in June 1997.

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The fifteen determined women: Sorors Quinita S. Bright, Barbara H.                                                      Hughes, Raquel Leslie-Benning, Fannie L Mason, Lillie R. Floyd Moses,                                                  Lynette L. Richardson, Patricia Ann Phillips(Deceased), Lisa D. Seabrook,

Azalee W. Smith (Deceased), Dianne Thompson, Rosa G. Towe (Deceased),                                              Christine B. Washington (Deceased), Dafney Washington, Harriet L.                                        Williams(Deceased), and Lillie Vanderhall Zinn worked day and night to pull together the necessary information to make an appeal to National for a Charter. Our Charter was granted on April 20, 1997, under the outstanding leadership of Soror Christine B. Washington. She resigned her position as President of Florence Alumnae Chapter to take the reins of the newly formed, dynamic Dillon-Marion County Alumnae Chapter. Since its establishment, the chapter has been very active in the area.

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Some of the projects have included: Adopt-A-Highway, Child Identification, Voter Registration, Self-Esteem Workshops, Exit Exam Workshops, Tutorial Programs, Scholarship Dance, Adopting Families with DSS, NAACP Membership, Youth Healthy Start, supporting the Marion County Heart Walk, Relay for Life, Political Activist.

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Chapter Presidents

Soror Christine B. Washington (1997-2001)
Soror Fannie L. Mason (2001-2005)
Soror Lisa D. Seabrook (2005-2009)
Soror Barbara H. Hughes (2009-2013)
Soror Carrie R. Bethea (2013- 2017

Soror Fannie L. Mason (2017 - 2021)

Soror Ora Susan Hughes (2021- Present)

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Awards

The Bertha M. Roddey Leadership Award (Recipient, Soror Lisa D. Seabrook)
South Atlantic Region “Star Chapter” Award Soror Barbara H. Hughes
Honorable Mention for Great Reclamation Activities (2010
The South Carolina Education Symposium Award (2010)
Plaque for partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau (2010)
Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Membership Services Programs (2011)

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Memorable Events

Chapter’s 10th Year Celebration (February 10, 2007)
Chapter Charter Members Banquet (September 29, 2007)
Sponsored Clothing, Bedding, and Furniture Closet for 300 local Africans (Dec. 12, 2009)
Hosted the South Carolina Education Symposium (March 13, 2010)
Attended dedication of the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library Bennettsville, SC (March 21, 2010)
Dillon – Marion County Alumnae 1st Jabberwock Scholarship Program (2012)

Dillon-Marion County Alumnae Chapter continues to serve the communities as we focus on the Five-Programmatic Thrusts.