Difference Between Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta

Students in their college or university days join a particular sorority to gain a sense of belonging and make new friends. Apart from that, sororities provide a huge exposure to each individual’s life.

Major sororities involve in activities such as social action and charitable sources, unlike the minor sororities, whose major concern is focusing on sisterhood and maintaining social status.

Two such prominent sororities are alpha kappa alpha and delta sigma theta. Both sororities were formed at Howard University; since then, they have spread and expanded.

Alpha kappa alpha is a sorority founded at Howard University on January 15, 1908. Its emphasis is on service and culture. Delta sigma theta is also a sorority founded at Howard University on January 13, 1913. They majorly focus on the black community.

Key Takeaways

1. Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta are historically black sororities founded in the early 20th century.
2. Alpha Kappa Alpha promotes education, culture, and economic empowerment, while Delta Sigma Theta prioritizes political and social activism.
3. Membership in both sororities is highly selective and based on a rigorous screening process that includes academic achievement, community involvement, and leadership potential.

Alpha Kappa Alpha vs. Delta Sigma Theta

The difference between alpha kappa alpha and delta sigma theta is that alpha kappa alpha follows the principle of “service and culture.” In contrast, delta sigma theta follows the principle of “intelligence is the torch of wisdom.”

Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	Alpha Kappa Alpha	Delta Sigma Theta
Founded	January 15, 1908. Howard university	January 13, 1913. Howard university
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois	Washington, D.C., United States
Chapters	More than 1,024	More than 940
Emphasis	Service and culture	Focus mainly on black community
Motto	By culture and by merit	Intelligence is the torch of wisdom
Color	Salmon pink and apple green	Crimson and cream
Symbol	Ivy leaf	Pyramid
Flower	Pink tea rose	African violet

What is Alpha Kappa Alpha?

Alpha kappa alpha also signifies AKA. It was the first historically African-American Greek-lettered sorority. It was founded on January 15, 1905, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group formed by 16 students and headed by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle.

It broke the barriers for African-American women in the arena where they had little or no power and were not provided with many opportunities as they belonged to the minority women category during the early 20^th century.

Since its establishment, Alpha kappa alpha has helped improve the community’s social and economic conditions. The members have improved education through independent initiative and community contribution by building and creating programs and associations.

X worked with community service initiatives and progressive programs linked with education, family, health, and business.

The alpha kappa alpha sorority is one of the nation’s largest Greek-lettered organizations that consist of college-educated women from different backgrounds worldwide.

It has more than 1.024 chapters in the US and several other countries. The aspirants might either sign up through college or university chapters, or they can also sign up via the graduation chapter after graduating from college.

What is Delta Sigma Theta?

Delta sigma theta is also signified withΔΣΘ. It is an African American Greek-lettered sorority. It was founded by college-educated women dedicated to public service, emphasizing programs that assisted the African American community.

It was founded on January 13, 1913. It was started by 23 women at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Membership was open to whoever met their requirements, regardless of any discrimination based on religion, race, or nationality.

Women could join through the undergraduate chapter after earning a college degree. It has more than 300,000 members, most of who are college-educated women. The sorority has 40 chapters as o now.

Delta Sigma Theta is also a member of the organization’s national Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). The first official act of delta sigma theta was participating in women’s suffrage on March 3, 1913.

Since then, the sorority has created programming to improve political, educational, social, and economic conditions, focusing on black communities. The sorority runs on the principles of a “five-point program theme.”

Main Differences Between Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta

1. The sorority alpha kappa alpha was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University, whereas the sorority delta sigma theta was formed on January 13, 1913, at Howard University.
2. The headquarters of alpha kappa alpha is in Chicago, Illinois, whereas the headquarters of delta sigma theta is in Washington, D.C., United States.
3. The alpha kappa alpha has more than 1,024 chapters. However, the delta sigma theta has more than 940 chapters.
4. The alpha kappa alpha sorority emphasizes more on service and culture, whereas the delta sigma theta sorority focuses more on the black community.
5. The motto of the alpha kappa alpha sorority is“by culture and by merit”; however, the motto of the delta sigma theta sorority is“Intelligence is the torch of wisdom.”
6. The alpha kappa alpha sorority represents itself with salmon pink and apple green, and the delta sigma theta sorority represents itself with crimson and cream colors.
7. The symbol of the alpha kappa alpha sorority is a leaf, and the symbol of the delta sigma theta sorority is Pyramid.

References

1. https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=5970294
2. https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=5600172
3. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ322971