The Educational Development Committee strives to provide empowering and sustainable programming that enriches the academic experiences of the community. The committee specifically focuses on the development of girls ages 11-18 through the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy and Delta G.E.M.S. program. Consistent with the national strategic goal of empowering girls and women, committee members provide interactive workshops in the areas of math, science, and technology; provide opportunities for leadership and self-development through service projects; and enhance healthy peer and professional relationships. Additionally, the Educational Committee, in partnership with the Scholarship Committee, awards the annual Janie J. Williams Memorial Scholarship to graduating seniors in the service area.
THE JANIE J. WILLIAMS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Janie Jeters Williams, an advocate for education, served over 30 years instilling passion and advancing the knowledge of young scholars. She was a charter member of the Columbus Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter and a dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
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In 2002, at a reception with her family, the Janie J. Williams Memorial Scholarship was established and awarded the following year at the Columbus Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter inaugural scholarship luncheon in 2003. Each year, with your support, we are able to increase the amount of scholarships awarded.
The Columbus Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter is proud to invite you to our annual Scholarship Luncheon. This exciting day of fellowship and fashion will be hosted Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time, at the Columbus, Georgia Convention & Trade Center. Our goal is to make the luncheon a resounding success, and we believe that with your support, we can achieve just that. Tickets for this Derby-themed experience are available at a cost of $75 each. The proceeds generated from this event will provide scholarships for deserving high school graduates in Muscogee, Chattahoochee, and Harris Counties in Georgia, and Russell County in Alabama. Sponsorships are also available and can be submitted to scholarship.cmacga@gmail.com no later than April 1, 2025. Checks should be made payable to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., CMAC and received by April 1, 2025
The Economic Development Committee provides programming that aligns with the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated strategic goal of promoting economic empowerment with the aim of eliminating poverty. Currently the committee is partnering with Spencer High School to host the “Money Moves Literacy Series.” Workshops focus on teaching skills such as budgeting, saving, investing, understanding debt, multiple revenue streams, home ownership, and real estate acquisition. Developing financial literacy skills lays a foundation for students to build strong money habits early on and avoid many of the mistakes that lead to lifelong financial struggles. These skills also provide a foundation for students to be able to invest in their local communities which leads to growth and expansion.
The primary goal of the International Awareness and Involvement Committee is to promote, preserve, and sustain the Sorority’s IAI Sustainability Plan through donations made from chapters and individual members to support the Sorority’s seven approved international projects and initiatives. The Columbus Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter, consistent with our sister chapters in the Farwest, Southern, and Southwest Regions, provides yearly monetary donations to assist with building improvements and structure enhancements to property and facilities, offer additional scholarships to attending schools, provide new uniforms for students, provide additional school supplies, pay salaries for additional teachers, and provide daily meals for students as well as a host of other needed items. Additionally, the committee collaborates with our sister chapters Columbus (GA) Alumnae and Theta Phi (Columbus State University) and our community partners for annual HIV/AIDS programming including providing HIV testing, debunking myths, and disseminating science-based, factual, and clear information about prevention, transmission, and treatment.
The Physical and Mental Health Committee embodies that national "Live Well" initiative that focus on 8 dimensions of wellness: emotional/mental, environmental, financial, intellectual, physical, social, spiritual, and vocational. Utilizing funding provided by Good Health Wins grants, the committee has created the following programming objectives1) Provide vaccine education, 2) Encourage people who have not received the flu and/or COVID vaccine to receive them on-site through CORE/Department of Public Health, 3) Gather information about vaccine hesitancy, and 4) serve as trusted messengers to provide factual information about the importance of vaccinations in reducing health disparities. This year, the committee has facilitated several impactful programs including: 1) facilitating an informational workshop to middle school students and their parents to identify the signs and symptoms of mental illness and learn strategies to mitigate stress, 2) supporting Paint the Town Pink for breast cancer awareness, 3) partnering with the Educational Development committee on establishing the "Because Period" Hygiene Closet and Peace Place, 4) providing monthly self-care activities as a part of the "Ruby Red Road to Wellness," and 5) collaborating with Fort Middle School at the "Unity in the Fort Community Block Party" to provide wellness kits that provided vaccine education and wellness strategies to reduce risk factors for violence.
CMAC is Social Action! The Social Action Committee strives to implement core components of the National Strategic Plan to reach the following programming goals: 1) Identify strategic alliances, coalitions, and partnerships to support social action. 2) Promote program sustainability, impact, and expansion by identifying and collaborating with community partners. 3) Partner with local, regional, national, and international organizations to collaborate on intentional programming for traditionally marginalized and underserved communities. CMAC was awarded two grants (Voter Education and Mobilization Microgrant and Your Vote Your Voice Grant) to execute our objectives: 1) Recruit poll workers, 2) Launch a media campaign providing reliable information about voter preparation, polling dates and locations, creating a voting plan, dispelling mis/disinformation, and the importance of being an informed voter. CMAC specifically targeted young adult voters through reels featuring college students. 3) Partner with community and faith-based organizations, voter organizations, and civic leaders to plan a range of activities to encourage civic participation including voter registration drives, the distribution of informative flyers on mailboxes to educate residents about voting readiness, door-to-door canvassing in the local neighborhoods, candidate forums, and adopting a precinct.
The Collegiate Connection Committee was established to help increase the transition rate of collegiate members to alumnae chapters through guidance and serving as a tool for collegiate members to connect with an alumnae chapter before they graduate. February is Collegiate Connection Month and the 2025 service project was to donate new and gently used clothing and toiletries to the Village Foster Care and Adoptive Ministry in Phenix City.
Goals for the committee include:
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Address the campus life needs of collegiate sorors
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Increase the rate of collegiate members transitioning to alumnae chapters
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Guide and foster a sisterly relationship between advisors and collegiate sorors
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Support collaboration efforts among chapters at both the collegiate and alumnae level
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Assist collegiate sorors in locating an alumnae chapter at their post-graduation location
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Ensure a smooth transition of recent graduates in adjusting to their new member ship status, completing the process of joining an alumnae chapter, and settling into a new chapter
There is value in continuing membership post graduation such as:
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Staying true to our promise of sisterhood, scholarship and service
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Serving in our communities and speaking for the unfortunate and weak (i.e. using our voice to address social justice issues)
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Continuing the strong legacy of Delta
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Professional development
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Networking opportunities
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Increasing knowledge about Delta and staying informed on local, regional or national initiatives by attending DIDs, clusters, regional conferences and national conventions
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