Austin Alumnae Chapter History

Sigma Sigma (Austin Alumnae) and Alpha Kappa Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Inc. were established simultaneously on November 26, 1930 at Wesley United Methodist

Church by the National President, Soror Anna J. Thompson. Sigma Sigma was the first

black Greek letter organization with a graduate chapter in the city of Austin. Charter mem-

bers of Sigma Sigma are:

Soror Maude Ella Garrett Tyree - (First President)

Soror Gladys Brewer Miles - (Second President)

Soror Harriette Brown Goff - (Sixth President)

Soror Annie Lillie B. H. Armstrong - (First Secretary)

Soror Arlyne B. Wyatt - (Served as President of San Antonio Alumnae)

Soror Christine Shackles - (Served as Regional Director)

Soror June Brewer - (Served as Regional Director)

Two associate members were Mable Echols and Jannett Walker McNealy. These Sorors

were confirmed into full membership at the 11th National Convention in 1931. Soror

Christine Sellers Shackles was the first initiate of Sigma Sigma. By mandate of Grand

Chapter, Sigma Sigma became Austin Alumnae in 1956.

Austin Alumnae sponsors three collegiate chapters: Alpha Kappa at Huston-Tillotson

University, founded 1930; Epsilon Beta at the University of Texas at Austin, founded 1960,

and Iota Omega at Southwest Texas State University, founded 1973. Austin Alumnae

provides advisors for each of these chapters and financial assistance as required or

requested. The Collegiate Advisors Committee, serves as the liaison between the Alumnae

Chapter and the collegiate chapters