During the early years, the Chapter focused on sisterhood, togetherness, and community service.  These included the establishment of a scholarship, programs and projects for the well-being of nursing home residents, enrichment program activities for teenage girls, and committed involvement with various programs in support of civil rights.  By combining their strengths, talents, and resources, the Alexandria Alumnae Chapter had a profound impact on the community.

 

Due to the increased number of Deltas in the Northern Virginia area who elected to affiliate with the Alexandria Chapter, the Chapter voted in 1977 to change its name from the Alexandria Alumnae Chapter to the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter to reflect the geographical composition of its members.  The charter establishing this new name was issued on January 21, 1977.

 

As the Chapter’s focus expanded and membership increased, its influence was recognized; and community service projects became more expansive.  NoVAC was on the move.  Chapter members were elected to various regional and national offices.  Two past presidents have served as regional directors. Alice Fleet, the Chapter’s fourth president (1967-1969), served as the Regional Director of the South Atlantic Region from 1970-1972. Dorothy White, the Chapter’s 13th president (1985-1987), was the South Atlantic Regional Director from 1997-1999.  Angella P. Current, the Chapter’s 9th president (1977-1979), served as the 6th executive director of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority beginning September 22, 1980.  Madeliene H. Dobbins, the Chapter’s 17th president (1994-1996), served as the director of the Delta Research & Educational Foundation.  In addition, Nancy Randolph is a past National Secretary, and M. Lucia James was the Southern Regional Director from 1952-1956 and a past National Treasurer.  And sorors too numerous to list have chaired or served on the Regional Council and various national committees.

 

NoVAC reached another milestone in 1992 when the Northern Virginia Delta Education and Community Service Foundation was established.  The Foundation plays a significant role in providing educational, scientific, civic, literary, and service programs and initiatives for the Northern Virginia community. 

 

Since the inception of the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter in 1959, the Chapter has awarded approximately a half million dollars in scholarships to high school graduates entering college.  Some of the fundraising activities to support scholarships, as well as other Chapter programs, include Jabberwocks, talent shows, fashion shows, hat shows, cabarets, cruises, plays, dances, balls, musicales, galas, the Alvin Ailey Dancers, car washes, card sales, bowling parties, stay at home teas, step shows, and prayer breakfasts.

 

The Chapter's programs model Delta’s National Five-Point Programmatic Thrust focusing on economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement.  Our programs support our children, our youth, our young adults, and our senior citizens providing quality service to the community in the form of social and cultural activities, educational activities, career enlightenment, and scholarship opportunities.  Our emphasis on the community is demonstrated with such excellent, long-standing programs as Fall Awareness, Teen Lift, Project A.F.R.I.C.A., Project DESTINY, Delta Academy, and Reading Is Fundamental.  We reached beyond our service area to international shores in February 2007 when 32 members visited Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa; in February 2011 when 30 members visited Ghana; and again, in February 2017 when 39 members went back to South Africa for our 10th anniversary.

​