Paterson Alumnae Chapter Participates in Voter Registration 

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University to promote academic excellence and to help those in need. It is an organization of college educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community. The Central Jersey Alumnae Chapter was chartered in 1978 and serves Paterson and surrounding areas. The current chapter president is Jonnine DeLoatch. 

Paterson Coalition for Better Communities–whose members include Paterson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (PAC DST), Integrity Lodge #51, and Paterson NAACP (among others), sponsored a “Get Out to Vote Rally” on National Voter Registration Day–September 24, 2019.   The event was held outside of Integrity Lodge #51 on Broadway in Paterson, NJ.  This stretch of Broadway is located in Paterson’s 1st Ward and is notorious for having extremely low voter–turnout during elections.  

Participating organizations set up tables in front of the lodge with voter registration forms, gift bags, snacks, and giveaways.  Those walking or driving past the area were drawn to the colorful gift bags and materials on display and the participating organizations then seized the moment for voter engagement.  Conversations ensued around voter motivation, education and ultimately voter registration.  As a result, a total of 15 citizens were registered that day!  This was the first of many voter engagement activities planned by the coalition.