Black Greek Life 

Date: March 11, 1975  

Title: Two Black Sororities Get Approval at MSU 

Normally, sororities being approved to be active on campus would not be the buzz on campus. The ten years following integration though, was far from normal. This newspaper article announces the official approval of two Black sororities, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta, at Mississippi State University (MSU). 

In the early years following integration, Black students at MSU sought spaces where they could feel supported and empowered. The establishment of Black sororities marked an important step in building such spaces, allowing Black women at MSU to connect through shared cultural experiences and talk about unique challenges they faced on campus. 

While the approval of Black sororities like Delta Sigma Theta was a step forward, the wider campus environment was often hostile. Black students encountered racial discrimination that could make typical social spaces feel unwelcoming or unsafe. Black students needed spaces where they could find camaraderie and cultural support in the face of adversity. Barbara Blankenship, the women’s director and advisor to Panhellenic, highlights that the increased enrollment of Black female students led to the need for these sororities, which participated in Panhellenic programs but hold separate recruitment events. Leaders from each sorority expressed their commitment to promoting leadership, academic excellence, and community service.  

This article highlights the significant milestone of Black sororities gaining recognition on campus. It reflects the progress in creating spaces where Black students could foster community and identity. The article is directly related to the advertisement for Delta Sigma Theta's rush, showing how the sorority began its first recruitment event after being officially recognized by MSU.

Black Women Finally Get the Invite

Date: March 11, 1975  

Title: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Rush Invitation 

This advertisement invites prospective members to Delta Sigma Theta’s inaugural rush event on March 14, 1975. Emphasizing values such as leadership, service, and freedom, the ad positions Delta Sigma Theta as an organization for Black women dedicated to personal and community advancement.

This invitation demonstrates how, in the first decade after integration, Black students were not only integrating academically but also creating social spaces for self-expression and cultural pride. Black sororities were pivotal in developing a sense of belonging and leadership within the university's Black student community. In the first decade following integration, Black students at MSU faced the dual challenge of navigating their academic journey while also overcoming social isolation and discrimination. Delta Sigma Theta's presence on campus provided a platform for Black women to unite around shared goals and values, advocating for representation and forming supportive communities within a larger university environment that was still adjusting to its newly integrated status. 

This invitation follows the formal approval of Delta Sigma Theta on MSU's campus, as discussed in the related article. Both of these items show the institutional recognition of Black sororities as well as the active steps taken by Delta Sigma Theta to engage Black female students through their first rush event.