ΣΔΤ Sorority News

SIGMA DELTA TAU RECOGNIZED WITH AWARD FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAM

By Deidre Pettinga,

CARMEL, IN— The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) has recognized Sigma Delta Tau Sorority (SDT) with the 2020 Social Justice and Diversity Initiative Award for their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Week, a free virtual event hosted June 22-26, 2020.  

In announcing the award, AFA noted SDT’s intention to take an important step in the growth of the organization and focus on educational programs and connection points celebrating the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The week-long program kicked off with a Keynote speaker and included daily events such as an action hour, webinars, forums, and panel discussions for both alumnae, collegians, and those sisters who identify as a member of an underrepresented group. 

Upon learning the news, SDT National President Margaux Manley Lima commented, “We are honored to be recognized by our peers in the fraternity/sorority community for this important educational effort.  As an organization founded by seven Jewish women who faced discrimination, we realized our responsibility to fight hate in all its forms and to educate our members on these important topics. I am grateful for the support of the SDT Foundation, and for the work of our staff and volunteers in planning and executing such a pivotal event.  More importantly, I am inspired by our members, both collegiate analumnae, who brought the program to life through their open and honest introspection and participation.” 

The DEI Week events reached more than 1100 members and allies who participated live or viewed the recordings posted to the SDT website.  In a follow up survey, more than 90% of respondents stated that their participation in DEI Week improved their personal understanding of DEI-related topics.  As one attendee commented, “It is very important for me to see this organization open up its heart and mind to much greater diversity and inclusion in every chapter around the country.” 

The mission of AFA is to enhance its members’ abilities to foster impactful fraternity/sorority experience, through professional development, academic and applied research that examines the entire spectrum of the fraternity/sorority experience and advising profession, and collaborations within and between the higher education and inter-fraternal communities.  The organization’s Social Justice and Diversity Initiative Award, established in 1994, recognizes an individual, institution or organization that has contributed significantly to the development of multicultural relations, diversity education, or social justice initiatives in a fraternity/sorority community.   

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About Sigma Delta Tau 

Sigma Delta Tau is a National women’s social sorority, founded in 1917 at Cornell University by seven Jewish women. The National Sorority has more than 65,000 members. SDT empowers each member to reach her fullest potential by enriching the experience of women with similar ideals, building lasting relationships, promoting civic responsibility, and fostering personal growth. 

 



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