Delta Sigma Theta alumnae commemorate women's suffrage movement, advocate for women's rights
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — Delta Sigma Theta sisters and several supports are honoring those who fought for women's suffrage and march the River City streets to commemorate the movement.
From the downtown Civic Center to the Evansville African American Museum, it's a reenactment of the March 1913 Women's Suffrage Procession in Washington, D.C., which marked the sorority's first act of service.
At the time, Delta's founding was at Howard University, and it's where several of the Evansville sisters today also reenact at the museum what the founders said 100 years ago.
The procession organizers told Black women to stay in the back, but Black women 100 years ago and the Delta founders were not settling for that either.
'My sisters, democracy was never built for us. But if we wait for them to make space, we'll be waiting 'til the end if time,' says Elexica McAlister who is portraying of the Delta founders. 'They want to silence us, erase our contributions and diminish our impact. But silence is a luxury we cannot afford. We will march, not because they allow us, but because we demand our place in history.'
If history has taught us anything, it's efforts like the Delta founders and countless other women and allies marching on Washington which changed the status quo.
At the same time, the Delta sisters say they believe what happened back in 1913 is still relevant in 2025.
Sunday's march is also a call of action to fight back against abortion bans and the laws which some call voter suppression, like I.D. laws, closing polling places and gerrymandering.
It's also a call of action to support Black entrepreneurs and other leadership positions and for economic equality, since some say Black Americans are pushed into debt and denied access to capital.
'They tried to silence us then, but marched anyway. And now, in 2025, we will do what we must do,' says McAlister.
'We will organize when they attack our rights. We will mobilize when they silence our voices,' says Delta Sigma Theta Evansville Alumnae Chapter President Dr. Ena Winfield. 'We will amplify them and educate our public. This is who we are. So, again, don't agonize, strategize.'
Delta Sigma Theta alumnae commemorate women's suffrage movement, advocate for women's rights
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