ACTIVITIES AMONG NEGROES
The awarding of the annual scholarship of Kappa chapter Delta Sigma Thea sorority was held last Sunday morning in North Oakland Baptist church. The meeting was presided over by Grace Hackett with Dr. A. O. Newman, principal speaker, using for his subject "Youth and Its Opportunities." The musical part of the program consisted of spirituals by the church choir, a solo by Miss I. R. Jones with Miss Esther Lee, accompanist Mrs. Leota Anderson, lyric soprano rendered a sacred solo. An address was given by Miss Idell Vertner, of Berkeley, now serving as executive secretary of Seattle Y. W. C. A. The history of the organization was given in a carefully prepared paper by Evelyn Ware. She said in part:
"The Delta Sigma Thea, the first national Negro sorority to be incorporated, was organized at Howard university. Washington, D. C., February 12, 1913. The sorority is composed of girls in a college pursuing a four year course or study leading to a degree. The first California chanter was founded in February, 1921, at the University of California. Girls are usually accepted in their sophomore year except in California where two Freshman a year are taken in. The various chapters award annual scholarships, the national body awards an annual scholarship of $1000, as well as maintaining a loan fund to aid Delta women to complete their educations. The first $1000 scholarship was awarded in 1924 to Gwendolyn Bennett who studied in Paris. France. Scholarships in Kappa chapter (northern California) consist of an amount or money covering the expenses of tuition at the University of California in Berkeley for six months.
HOW RAISED
"When the new Cowell memorial hospital was being built at the University of California there came a call for persons to furnish rooms. Kappa chapter of Delta Sigma Thea sorority thought it a good idea for all the colored students to unite and furnish a room. The idea was received, however, by only one Omega, Psi Phi who, with the Delta's, undertook to raise the $300 necessary to furnish a room. On the opening day the room was banked with flowers, the first patient in the infirmary was placed in this room which is marked with a bronze plate with the Greek letters of the sorority. Among other gifts was a beautiful, framed picture given in memory of Marie Lenox.
"Under the leadership of Attorney Tabythe Anderson, and Josephine Foreman, the fund was over subscribed, thus enabling us to present a scholarship last year. The three one act plays rendered during May week this year made possible the scholarship we present today to Miss Maybell Craigg of Oakland who made an average of "A" in all her classes during the four years in high school. In addition the University of California, in recognition of her high scholarship, also grants her free tuition for the first semester.
NATIONALLY KNOWN
Among the nationally known members the speaker gave the names of Miss Jessie Fauset, author, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa national scholastic fraternity, and for years editor of the literary section of the "Crisis" magazine; Vivian Osborn Marsh, because of her high scholastic standing, was admitted as a junior into senior courses at the University of California at Berkeley in which only seniors and instructors were enrolled (she is the first Negro girl in California to win a Master's degree, Miss Belinda Davison, receiving the degree of Master of Arts at the same time); Louise Thompson, an honor student while at the University of California and the first Negro girl to belong to a language honor society; Miriam Matthews, the secretory of a Spanish honor society and first Negro girl to receive the degree of Bachelor of Library Science from the University of California (she is now head of a branch library in Los Angeles); Helena Harper and Ruth Dixon, graduated from the University of California and both later receiving National Urban scholarships for study in social service work at the University of Cincinnati (Helena Harper at present holds a social service appointment in Los Angeles); Grace Hackett, graduated from Teachers college in San Francisco with an "A" average for four years work; Elinor Carroll, senior honor student at the University of California, a member of the Y. W. C. A. cabinet, senior adviser and president of Kappa chapter Delta Thea sorority; Evelyn Ware, graduated from Howard university with honors and a student instructor in European history and a member of the history and economic honor societies, and president of Alpha chapter in Washington, D. C; Josephine Foreman, received her Master's degree and certificate this year from the University of California (she was the youngest student to enter the University of California); Tabytha Anderson, a winner of the Oakland Lyceum oratorical contest, graduated from Howard university with honorable mention, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Law; Ruth Bally, graduated from the University of California, was senior adviser, and the first negro student to be sent to a national student convention of the Y. W. C. A. from the University of California; Consuela Bright, now teaching in the public schools of Los Angeles; Talmer Brooks, editor of State College C. F. of C. W. C. and Tarea Hall Pittman, chairman of the state executive board, C. F. of C. W. C. and Vivian Osborn Marsh, state secretary for three years, and national committee chairman of the National Association for Colored Girls.
CHURCH WOMEN MEET
The executive board of the Oakland Council of Church Women met Monday afternoon in Central Y. W. C. A. A communication was read from Hugh Hagan stated a new steam table had been purchased for the Coffee club, and new cooking utensils at a cost of $96. The council found it had enough money to assume the debt for the coffee club. The council went on record as endorsing the proposition coming from the board of directors of the Alameda County Public Welfare league to establish a county prison camp or farm to relieve the crowded condition of the jails. The council hospital board appointed Mrs. Ruth Coleman of North Oakland Baptist church as chairman of hospital work among the colored churches. The council will hold its quarterly luncheon meeting August 28 in Cooper A. M. E. Zion church with an international program. The public will be welcome.
CARRIER’S OUTING
Following is a list of names of some of the colored TRIBUNE carriers who have qualified for the big carrier's outing at Asilomar for two days and three nights. They are Harry McCalla. 919 Thirty third street, Route “S” 22: Ira Lipscomb, 877 Thirty-fifth street, Route “S” 4: Emory Rose, 1316 Sixty-third avenue, Route "A" 40: Thurman Broom, 1923 Myrtle, Route 26.
BOYS' DAY
Last Sunday was Boys' day at First A. M. E. church at which time Arnold and Wilbert Baranco and Jerome Swanagan appeared as singers under the direction of Alvin Nurse with Prof. Elmer Keeton at the organ. Rev. Deamns Scott preached at both morning and evening services on the "Youth of Today." The evening service added a musical number by Dan Heart, who sang "Song of the Alps," by T. F. Ryer. Today will be Girls' day at the same church.
PUBLIC RECEPTION
A group of outstanding colored citizens of Oakland with representatives from Negro organizations met Thursday evening in Linden Y. W. C. A. to formulate plans for a public reception honoring Oakland's new mayor, city manager and new members of the council.
WOMEN VOTERS MEET
The Alameda County League of Colored Women Voters held their first fall meeting Wednesday afternoon in Linden Y. W. C. A. Mrs. Bertha Allen, president, was elected a delegate to the quarterly luncheon of the Oakland Council of Church Women and to send a letter stating they would cooperate with the council in fostering plans to have a paid chaplain at Fairmouth and Highland hospitals. The league also passed a resolution favoring the establishing of a county prison camp or farm to relieve the crowded condition of the jails. They also passed a resolution to send a letter to Governor Rolph, asking that he appoint a Negro to one of the four newly created judgeships for Los Angeles county, and also send a letter to Sheriff Driver asking that he appoint a Negro deputy sheriff.
Communications were received telling that Miss Matilda Moore had been accepted and had begun the training for nurse at Highland hospital. The league is planning to hold a membership drive dinner during September.
Activities Among Negroes/Sun, Aug 16, 1931 16 Aug 1931, Sun Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com
