VENTURA COUNTY ALUMNAE CHAPTER

A Legacy of Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service:

The History of the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter

 

For over 45 years, the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter (VCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has advanced sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action. Established in 1980 as the first Black sorority chapter chartered in Ventura County, and today, its 32 members continue this legacy through the Sorority's national Five-Point Programmatic Thrust. 

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The chapter's journey began with an interest group known as Delta Sisters Together. On November 3, 1979, Farwest Regional Director Floraline I.Stevens installed the group in Camarillo. VCAC received its official charter on October 25, 1980, during the administration of 17th National President Mona Humphries Bailey.

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The chapter's 12 charter members were Charlene Neusom - the chapter's chartering president, Jacqueline C. Brownlee, Regina G. Jackson-Diggs, Freddie Grady*, Jacqueline Hawkins, Mamie Duffy Island*, Juliette Lee*, Velma R. Montgomery, Lucia B. Peele*, Linda L. Radney, Martha S. Reynolds, and Eunice Windom*. (*deceased)

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Civic Leadership and Education

VCAC became the first Black organization to join Ventura County's Adopt-a-Poll program as election workers and initiated the Board of Supervisors' annual recognition of Black organizations during Black History Month. The chapter also promotes political awareness through voter-registration activities and candidate forums.

 

VCAC has awarded annual scholarships in excess of $90,000 to eligible local students and supports young people through programs such as Delta Academy and Delta GEMS. Its broader humanitarian work includes support for African initiatives and organizations such as Soles4Souls, which distributes shoes to underserved communities in Africa and other parts of the world.

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Community, Culture, and Partnership

Community events have included prayer breakfasts, fashion shows, the White Party, and Boots on the Ground. VCAC also supports Black arts and economic empowerment through virtual poetry slams, Red Carpet premieres, family-and-friends movie nights, and its partnership with the Community Advocacy Coalition on The People's Art Campaign, featuring artist Milton "510" Bowens.

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Members participate annually in Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth observances. VCAC partners with California Lutheran University, California State University Channel Islands, Southern California Edison, the NAACP, the Lighthouse for Women and Children, local churches, The Links, Masonic organizations, Rotary clubs, and National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations. 

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VCAC has received outstanding service and community impact awards, including official proclamations, a Community Service Recognition Award, and the CCMERA CEO's Choice Award. Our history reflects an enduring commitment to service, and a legacy that continues to shape Ventura County.