had two brothers, Har-

rington and Harry. Soror

Watson attended the his-

toric Sumner School in

Parkersburg. The Sumner

School, established during

the Civil War, was the

first school for free Black

children below the

Mason-Dixon Line.

She graduated from

the Sumner School in

1905 and at the urging

of her principal, en-

tered Howard Univer-

sity as a freshman.

Attending Howard

University was a great

financial burden on

Soror Watson. With-

out her brother’s help

with tuition costs and oth-

er expenses, she would

not have been able to

complete her college edu-

cation. As a student at

Howard University, Soror

Watson was a member of

the College Classical

Club and treasurer of the

Literary and Social Club,

an organization that many

of the other Founders of

Delta Sigma Theta Sorori-

ty belonged to as well.

The Founders of Delta

Sigma Theta Sorority par-

ticipated in the historic

Dear Sorors of West Vir-

ginia,

As you all know, one of

our beloved Founders,

Ethel Carr Watson, was

born and raised right here

in West Virginia. It has

been a passion of mine

to learn all that I can

about her life. I began

my journey with a

pilgrimage to

Parkersburg in the

summer of 2012

where I met with sev-

eral of Soror Watson’s

former students who

gave me insight on

Ms. Carr, the teacher.

I also had the opportunity

to speak to Soror Wat-

son’s niece, Lillian Carr

Hayden who shared many

stories with me about

Aunt Ethel. Delta Sigma

Theta had no information

on when Soror Watson

died or where she was

buried. With the help of

Soror Barbara Cary of

Charleston-Institute Chap-

ter, I was not only able to

find out when and where

Soror Watson died, but

we were also able to lo-

cate her grave. Soror

Jackee Bryant who lives

in Connecticut, but is

originally from West Vir-

ginia, traveled to New

Willimantic Cemetery to

find Soror Watson’s un-

marked grave at my and

Soror Cary’s request.

Sorors, this has been a

labor of love. I could not

have done it without the

help of my WV Sorors. I

have shared all that I have

learned with the National

Heritage and Archives

Committee.

Sisterly,

Carla Hunter

WV State Coordinator

Ethel Alice Carr Watson

was born August 4, 1891

in Parkersburg, West Vir-

ginia. She was the only

daughter of Isaac and

Elizabeth Carr. She also

Centennial Tribute to WV Founder Soror Ethel Carr Watson

WV Delta Connection

The faculty of Sumner School in

Parkersburg, WV

Inside this

issue:

Yvonne Jones,

State Chaplain

3

Beckley News 4

Bluefield News 4

Charleston-

Institute New

4

Eastern Panhandle

News

5

Greater-

Morgantown News

5

Huntington News 6

Collegiate News 6

In Memory 7

June 30,2013 Volume II, Issue 1

WV State Coordina-

tor’s special tribute

to Founder Ethel Carr

Watson

Special Year-end edi-

tion highlighting

events during the

2012-2013 sorority

year.

Women’s Suffrage March of

1913 at the invitation of

Mary Church Terrell. Soror

Watson later confided that

her family did not want her

to participate, but she was

forced to defy them because

she had been selected to

carry the banner because

she was the tallest. Soror

Watson graduated Magna

Cum Laude from Howard

University in 1913.

Eventually, Soror Watson

made her way back to

Parkersburg to teach at her

alma mater, the Sumner

School, during the 1930’s.

She taught both fifth and

sixth grades. In addition to

her regular curriculum

which included teaching

Shakespeare and Chaucer,

she taught acrobatics/

gymnastics, art, penman-

ship, and dance, classical

ballet and tap. Her former

students remember her fond-

ly. As they reminisced about

her, they shared that she

started class each day with

the Pledge of Allegiance and

Scripture memorization.

Frances Davis stated that

she was a strict disciplinari-

an, telling students, “I will

come to you like a steam-

boat.”

During her tenure at

Sumner, Soror Watson coor-

dinated and choreographed

several productions at the

Historic Smoot Theatre in

Parkersburg. She handled

every detail o f these pro-

ductions including designing

and sewing the costumes.

Former student, Gloria

Stanford, stated that the arts

were her forte and that she

was truly gifted in this area.

Another former student,

Regis Jones, said that Soror

Watson had a gift for getting

you to do things that you

never thought that you were

capable of doing.

After a long successful ca-

reer in education, Soror

Watson retired and began a

second career as a dramatic

performer. One of her most

renowned performances was

“She Stoops to Conquer” at

the Smoot Theatre in her

hometown. When recalling

her performance, Soror Wat-

son said, “I have been the

only colored who has ever

given a performance at the

Smoot Theatre for Warner

Brothers in Parkersburg,

West Virginia.”

Soror Watson married Ralph

Edward Watson of Williman-

tic, Connecticut July 11,

1938. They later divorced.

She died May 1, 1960 in

Willimantic, Connecticut.

She is buried at the New

Willimantic Cemetery. Soror

Watson had no children.

Story continued from page 1

Page 2 WV Delta Connection

Soror Ethel Carr

Watson

“I have been the only

colored who has ever

given a performance at

the Smoot Theatre for

Warner Brothers in

Parkersburg, West

Virginia.”

Soror Jackee Bryant at Soror Watson’s unmarked grave in

Connecticut

Musical Review held in 1933 produced by Soror Watson

One hundred years ago 22

brilliant African American

women had the foresight to

start a sorority based upon

public service. Another way

of looking at it is they start-

ed a sorority to help make

the life better for others,

particularly African Ameri-

cans. Down through the

years members of Delta

Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

have completed literally

thousands of projects that

benefit others through the

Five Point Program Thrust.

On the local level these pro-

jects range from feeding the

homeless to providing

scholarships to help deserv-

ing students afford a higher

education. On the interna-

tional level our beloved so-

rority established a materni-

ty hospital in Kenya. I could

go on and on about the in-

valuable projects that have

resulted from the foresight

of these 22 young women.

Their vision has resulted in

an organization of over

200,000 college educated

women in 900 chapters.

This just briefly describes

the accomplishments of the

first 100 years of Delta Sig-

ma Theta Sorority, Inc.

What about the next 100

years?

Matthew 32:35-40 King

James Version states: “ ‘For

I was hungered, and ye gave

me meat: I was thirsty, and

ye gave me drink: I was a

stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I

was sick, and ye visited me:

I was in prison, and ye came

unto me.’ Then shall the

righteous answer him, say-

ing, ‘Lord, when saw we

thee an hungered, and fed

thee? Or thirsty, and gave

thee drink? When saw we

thee a stranger, and took

thee in? or naked, and

clothed thee? Or when saw

we thee sick or in prison,

and came unto the?’ And

the King shall say unto you, ‘

Inasmuch as ye have done it

unto one of the least of

these my brethren, ye have

done it unto me.’ “

I cannot help but think our

founders had this verse in

mind when they founded a

sorority based upon Chris-

tian principles. They regard-

ed the work they were do-

ing for others as work they

were doing for Jesus. As

we, as individual members

of Delta Sigma Theta Sorori-

ty, Inc., move into this next

century of sisterhood we

need to keep this verse in

mind. We want to create a

lasting legacy through the

work that we do. Only what

we do for Christ will last. As

we plan projects let us re-

member that when we help

those who are less fortu-

nate we are also helping

Jesus. I pray that the next

100 years is more glorious

than the first 100 years!

“The Next 100 Years” by Yvonne Jones, WV State Chaplain

Page 3 Volume II, Issue 1

“Down through

the years

members of Delta

Sigma Theta

Sorority, Inc.

have completed

literally

thousands of

projects that

benefit others”

The Beckley Alumnae

Chapter actively at-

tempted to transform the

lives and make an impact

on the citizens of Beck-

ley, during the 2012-

2013 sorority year. Mem-

bers began the sorority

year by visiting the

Beckley City Council on

their 3rd

Delta Day at

the City Council. Soror

Roslyn Artis, Social

Action Chair, informed

the council members and

local citizens of the

chapter’s priorities for

the city. These priori-

ties included addressing

the education system,

school violence, domes-

tic violence, and drugs

within the community.

Chapter members were

introduced and volun-

teered to assist in any

initiative designed to

improve the community.

Chapter members along

with family members and

friends gathered to view

the Presidential De-

bates. To raise aware-

ness of domestic vio-

lence, a candle light

vigil was held. The

chapter partnered with

the Women’s Resource

Center and the event was

attended by over 100

people. The chapter also

partnered with the Beck-

ley Area Women in Christ

Fall Conference; a fi-

nancial workshop was

held featuring Tony

Mazelou, a financial

consultant offering tips

on financial planning

and retirement plans.

Other service activities

for the year included

first aid and CPR train-

ing as well as partici-

pating in Project 13 to

partner with AARP, March

of Dimes and the Ameri-

can Diabetes Associa-

tion.

control and manage dia-

betes.

Members of the chapter

were encouraged to join

the NAACP as well as the

League of Women Voters.

WV State Leadership team

welcomes Soror Eva Jones

as she was elected pres-

ident of the Charleston-

Institute Alumnae chap-

ter for the upcoming

sorority year. The mem-

bers also elected Soror

In order to instruct

young men on proper din-

ing etiquette as well as

celebrate their success-

es; the Charleston-

Institute Alumnae Chap-

ter held their annual

year end banquet for

their EMBODI program

participants.

Two glucose screening

were held in order to

increase diabetes aware-

ness and to encourage

participants on ways to

Terri Berkley to serve

as Vice-President.

Beckley Alumnae Chapter

Charleston-Institute Alumnae Chapter

sen for this position;

Soror Smith is the first

African American woman

to hold this office. In

a statement to the Blue-

field Daily Telegraph;

Soror Smith stated “I

was elated that I was

chosen by the members of

the newly-elected

board,” It was clear to

me that it wasn’t some-

thing that the group was

required to do, so I was

pleased to be select-

ed,”

Bluefield Alumnae Chapter

On June 4, 2013, Soror

Barbra Smith was elected

to the Bluefield City

Council. Soror Smith,

who delayed her politi-

cal aspirations while

she worked as an educa-

tor in McDowell County,

was elected to serve in

District 1.

A historical moment was

reached when the board-

elect unanimously chose

Soror Smith as Vice-

Mayor for the city of

Bluefield. By being cho-

Page 4 WV Delta Connection

“I was elated that

I was chosen by the

members of the

newly-elected

board,” Smith said.

“It was clear to me

that it wasn’t

something that the

group was required

to do, so I was

pleased to be

selected,”

The ladies of Eastern

Panhandle Alumnae Chap-

ter were geared up and

ready to work this So-

rority year. The first

program initiative of

the EPAC’s year will

took place in October

for Domestic Violence

Awareness Month. EPAC

designed and distributed

educational literature

to parents during spon-

sored Fall/Halloween

activities for children

around the community

during the month of Oc-

tober. The information-

al flyers informed the

adult public about do-

mestic violence and sex-

ual violence in West

Virginia.

On February 23rd

sorors

from all across the four

-state area: West Vir-

ginia, Maryland, Virgin-

ia and Pennsylvania at-

tended EPAS’s Founders

Day Celebration. This

event commemorated 100

years of sisterhood,

scholarship and service

across the world.

"We were founded by 22

undergraduate students

who were ready to speak

out for social justice

during their time and

we've continued that

legacy of speaking out

for social justice dur-

ing our time as well,"

says Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd,

the 22nd Past National

President of Delta Sigma

Theta Sorority, Inc. and

the keynote speaker for

the EPAC Founders Day

celebration. "They were

women who were academi-

cally on the top of

their game and we con-

tinue to promote academ-

ic excellence even 100

years later," Boyd adds.

"We are so excited about

the Centennial and this

celebration of our

Founders Day here in the

Eastern Panhandle of

West Virginia. As a

young chapter (chartered

in 2007) we have done

some amazing things in

such a short time," says

Dr. Angela Oglesby,

President of the Eastern

Panhandle Alumnae Chap-

ter. "We have numerous

community service pro-

jects, such as mentoring

groups, Delta Gems, Del-

ta Academy, an annual

Jazz Brunch and Silent

Auction scholarship

event, March of Dimes

programs, Domestic Vio-

lence Initiatives,

healthily lifestyle pro-

grams, and many more. We

are excited to serve,”

adds Oglesby.

The Sorors of EPAC also

sponsored an afternoon

of fun for the community

at its second annual

Longaberger® Basket Bin-

go. The chapter will be

giving away dozens of

Longaberger® baskets and

Coach purses as prizes

for this big fundraising

event.

Academy program during

the upcoming sorority

year. New members were

inducted into the chap-

ter. As the new sorority

year approaches, the

chapter is preparing for

many new activities to

impact the city of Mor-

gantown.

The Greater Morgantown

Chapter held their first

membership intake wel-

coming new members since

being reactivated during

the 2011-2012 sorority

year. The chapter has

been involved in many

activities as well as

supporting Omicron Upsi-

lon on West Virginia

University’s campus. The

chapter is in the pro-

cess of organizing a

Delta GEMS and Delta

Eastern Panhandle Alumnae Chapter

Greater Morgantown Alumnae Chapter

Page 5 Volume II, Issue 1

Minerva statue on

Howard University

campus

"We are so excited

about the

Centennial and

this celebration of

our Founders Day

here in the Eastern

Panhandle of West

Virginia. “

Upcoming Events for

2013-2014

● 10/26/2013: WV

Social Action Com-

mittee Poverty Simu-

lation WV State Uni-

versity Charleston,

WV

● 11/15-11/16/2013:

KY/WV/IN Cluster

Bowling Green, KY

● 3/15/2014: WV

Statewide Founders

Day Huntington, WV

The Huntington Alumnae

Chapter kicked off its

Fall 'Get Out the Vote'

Drive on October 1, 2012

with a bit of drama--

literally. The event

was highlighted by a

skit titled, "The Right

to Vote: Why it Mat-

ters!" The skit was

presented by the League

of Women Voters and was

a thought-provoking look

at the historical strug-

gle for the right to

vote, especially for

women and minorities.

Topics addressed includ-

ed: poll taxes, literacy

tests and current, na-

tional and state voter

suppression efforts.

The event was open to

the public, enjoyed en-

thusiastic attendance

and included an oppor-

tunity for attendees to

register to vote. The

chapter continued their

voting drive by sponsor-

ing voting booth demon-

strations; as well as

volunteering to make

telephone calls to en-

courage people to get

out and vote.

On February 1, 2013,

the chapter held their

annual “Go Red for Wom-

en” program. Over 85

women attended the event

where chapter member Dr.

Shawn McKinney was the

keynote

This is truly piece of

art with an introductory

price is $22.00.

The next item is a com-

memorative basket. The

baskets are 11x8.25x5.5.

These baskets are hand

Congratulations to So-

rors Angela Oglesby and

Carla Hunter for being

acknowledged as certi-

fied vendors for our

Sorority. Currently they

several items in their

Centennial Collection.

This article features

two items in their col-

lection. The first item

is a "Sisterhood Ball"

hand blown by WV glass

artisan Chip Turner. The

glass ball is etched

with our Greek letters

and the years 1913-2013.

woven and come with a

lifetime warranty. To

view more items; like

them on Facebook. For

more information or to

place an order please

contact: Angela Oglesby

or Carla Hunter at

ohdivas@aol.com

Huntington Alumnae Chapter

Oh Divas

under served in Morgan-

town. The chapter was

also involved in campus

voter registration

drives, as well as en-

couraging students to be

tested for HIV .

New members were initi-

ated into Omicron Upsi-

lon as well as Theta

Omega Chapter at Marshal

University. We welcome

all the new sorors into

the sorority.

Congratulations go out

to all of the graduating

sorors of Alpha Delta,

Omicron Upsilon and The-

ta Omega and we anxious-

ly await your entrance

into an alumnae chapter

in your area.

Collegiate News

Congratulations go to

Omicron Upsilon on re-

ceiving West Virginia

University’s “ Sorority

of the Year Award” for

2012-2013. The chapter

was awarded for their

many acts of service and

programs during the

scholastic year . Some

of the events included

serving dinner to fami-

lies at the Barlett

House, having food and

clothing drives through-

out the year for the

Page 6 WV Delta Connection

Oh Diva Centennial Collec-

tion ball

On April 22, 2013, Soror

Norma Johnson of Insti-

tute, WV transitioned to

the Omega Omega Chapter

of Delta Sigma Theta

Sorority. Soror Johns

was initiated in 1956

and remained active un-

til her passing. For all

of the members through-

out the state that we

blessed enough to be in

Soror Johnson’s pres-

ence; we will truly miss

seeing her smiling face

and vibrant spirit.

The Bluefield Alumnae

Chapter morns the loss

of Soror Fannie Simpson

Poole, 102, of Keystone,

West Virginia, who died

on Friday, April 26,

2013.

She was a lifetime mem-

ber of Delta Sigma Theta

Sorority, Inc. and the

oldest member in the

state of West Virginia.

In Loving Memory

Page 7 Volume II, Issue 1

The Dash

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

at the funeral of his friend.

He referred to the dates on her tomb-

stone

from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of

her birth

and spoke of the following date with

tears,

but he said what mattered most of all

was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

that she spent alive on earth…

and now only those who loved her

know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;

the cars…the house…the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard…

are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is

left.

That can still be rearranged

If we could just slow down enough

to consider what’s true and real,

and always try to understand

the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives

like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

and more often wear a smile…

remembering that this special dash

might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read

with your life’s actions to rehash…

would you be proud of the things

they say

about how you spent your dash?

Centennial Highlights

Rose Parade Watch Parties

Centennial Celebration Weekend

Reenactment of the Suffrage March

Coming June 19-22, 2014! The 46th Midwest Regional Conference-

Louisville, KY

Carla Hunter

State Coordinator

Parissa Rogers

State Facilitator

Marsha Lawson

State Journalist

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

A Public Service Sorority Founded

in 1913

Bluefield Alumnae Chapter

Vibrant and visible chapters impacting

the communities of West Virginia”