CHAPTER HISTORY

In 1975, twelve professional women in the Houston Area formed a coalition to develop programs affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, that would serve the citizens of Fort Bend County. This group contacted the sorority's national office to secure information on accomplishing this goal. The efforts of these ladies were well received by Grand Chapter and the chapter was chartered on May 22, 1976. Their membership increased due to reclamation efforts by 18 additional Sorors during their chartering year. During the 1976 Regional Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, Eula Butler recognized the Missouri City-Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter as a new chapter. In 1978 the name was changed to Suburban Houston-Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter (SHFBAC).

In the early years of chapter work, strides were made in internal and community programmatic thrusts. Under the leadership of the second President, Patricia Pearsall, the Chapter engaged in reclamation activities through sponsorship of career fashion shows at Lord & Taylor and recruited graduating seniors of local undergraduate chapters. In the initial phases of the chapters' development, Founders Day became a memorable event. On one occasion, the event was commemorated at a retreat weekend in Camp Allen (an Episcopal facility about fifty miles from Houston. On another occasion, the event was an exceptional brunch and rededication ceremony at Brennan's Restaurant; members of Houston Metropolitan Alumnae (HMAC) and Houston Alumnae participated in this event. Under the leadership of Zona Jefferson and Sarah Brown (HMAC), the idea of a Joint Founders Day celebration for Greater Houston Area Chapters was organized in 1987 and continues today.

Since its inception, SHFBAC has continued to promote and execute the national five-point programmatic thrusts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The chapter has aimed to maximize their impact on the community by incorporating programs that focus on Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness & Involvement, Physical & Mental Health and Political Awareness & Involvement (Social Action). As cornerstone in Missouri City and Fort Bend County, the SHFBAC has built partnerships with agencies such as the American Heart Association, the ARC of Houston, the Ensemble Theater, the Fort Bend Women’s Center, the NAACP to name a few. After celebrating Delta Sigma Theta's 100+ years, the Chapter looks to carry its legacy of excellence into the next century with a membership that has grown to over 600 members strong while continuing to serve the Missouri City and surrounding Fort Bend County communities just as it has for over 45 years.