On March 27, 2003, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, achieved
yet another great moment in its illustrious 90-year history.
The United Nations (UN) Department of Social and Economic Council
bestowed Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status upon Delta because
of the Sorority's commitment to political, social, and economic reform
around the world. The ceremony took place at the UN headquarters in New
York.
Among the NGOs currently in existence, only 2 are African-American
organizations: National Council of Negro Women, and of course, Delta
Sigma Theta. (It was not known by the ceremony attendees whether the
Links have acquired this status.)
This was an historic moment. As the UN Security Council met in a nearby
conference room discussing the situation in Iraq, Dr. Hanifa Mezoui,
Chief NGO Section Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN,
presented the NGO proclamation to President Gwendolyn Boyd during a
luncheon in the UN delegates' dining room.
According to a 2000 UN publication, "Basic Facts about the UN," about
1600 organizations have our consultative status with the UN, partnering
with the UN to provide our demonstrated special expertise, technical
knowledge, and experience to the UN in areas of health, economics, etc.
After the presentation of the proclamation, appointees of UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan, including Gillian Sorensen, Assistant Secretary
General for External Affairs (Ted Sorenson's wife), and others briefed
Deltas on issues of global advancement of women, elimination of violence
against women, state of the world's children, and women and aging.
Achieving NGO status is the result of a multi-year application process,
as President Gwendolyn Boyd envisioned one day achieving this honor.
Just imagine, the UN will now consult with Delta Sigma Theta on policy
and program matters of mutual concern to both groups. We will be
working directly with the UN to meet the objectives of its Charter.
By the way, we saw immediate benefits in our status as a newly minted
NGO when the UN bookstore was ordered re-opened after it closed at 5:00
pm so that the ladies in red could shop...smile
Soror Boyd, take a bow as well as all SORORS who helped make this happen.
