Our Charter Members
Front row (l-r): Susan Faine (visitor), Lottie M. Blair (Treasurer), Jeanette S. Hayes (Recording Secretary), Naomi W. Ryder (Parliamentarian).
Second row (l-r): Polly O. Richards (Sergeant at Arms), Jennie D. Taylor (visitor), Pauline Weeden (Director of Eastern Region), Frances W. Moore (President), Norma C. Murphy (Dean of Pledges).
Third row (l-r): Ida S. Franks (Chaplain), Annie S. Donaldson (Vice President), Dr. Helen G. Edmonds (visitor), Alease Massenberg (Corresponding Secretary).
History Publication
Please take a few moments to access and review our chapter publication, “1953-2016: New Bern Alumnae Chapter History.” You will find documentation of the chapter’s rich legacy in serving the Carteret, Craven, Jones, and Pamlico County areas, as well as chapter contributions locally, regionally, and nationally through the chapter’s programs and its members.
This publication covers 63 years of history. It was compiled by Carolyn Moore Bland, a member of Delta Sigma Theta since 1949 and of New Bern Alumnae since 1955, with the assistance of past chapter president Demetrics Davis. The torch has now been passed to others to prepare an updated publication that will be published on this website upon completion.
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Past Regional Director
1978-1982
Dr. Norma Sermon-Boyd
Dr. Norma Hardin Sermon-Boyd is a native of Kannapolis, North Carolina. In 1960, she was intiated into Alpha Rho Chapter, Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina. After receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math and Science, Soror Sermon-Boyd re-located to New Bern and began her distinguished career as an educator. She subsequently obtained a Master of Science Degree in Guidance from A&T State University, an ED.S from East Carolina University, and an ED.D from Nova University. She joined the New Bern Alumnae Chapter in 1962, serving in many offices including that of President (1973 to 1975 and 2005 to 2009).
Soror Sermon-Boyd has maintained her commitment to public service on the regional and national levels. In 1978, she was elected as the 7th Director of the South Atlantic Region, a position she held until 1982. A member of the National Program and Planning Committee (1975 to 1978), she was elected to the National Nominating Committee, serving as its chair (1975 to 1978), was a member of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee (1991 to 1995), and was chair of the Millennium Expansion Task Force (2001 to 2003).
Most recently, after serving for several years as a member of the National Leadership Academy, she is now a member of the National Ritual and Ceremonies Commission. Professionally, in 1993, she became the first African-American and female selected as Superintendent of Jones County Schools. During her 10-year tenure, Soror Sermon-Boyd received a multitude of honors including North Carolina Woman of the Year in 1995; 1998 North Carolina Administrator of the Year; Southeast Superintendent of the Year in 1999 and 2000; and an appointment in 2001 to Governor Easley's Education First Task Force.
In September 2002, Soror Sermon-Boyd was inducted into the East Carolina University School of Educations Educators Hall of Fame in Greenville, North Carolina. Currently, she serves as Director of the Jones County Partnership for Children.
Chapter History
In 1952, Frances W. Moore contacted Delta Sigma Theta National Headquarters to obtain the requirements for establishing a local chapter. A subsequent search of the surrounding counties resulted in the identification of nine sorors, which was a sufficient number at that time to create a new alumnae chapter.
After approximately one year of preparation, on Saturday, February 28, 1953, Delta Chi Sigma Chapter was officially chartered. As the South Atlantic Region had not yet been established—it would come into existence in 1960—the chartering ceremony was officiated by Eastern Regional Director Pauline F. Weeden of Virginia. Assisting her were Dr. Helen G. Edmonds, Professor of History at North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University), and Soror Jennie D. Taylor of Durham, NC, who later became Eastern Regional Director. They were accompanied by Sorors Susan Faine, Secretary to the Regional Director, and Mae D. Holmes, Superintendent of the Girls Training School of Kinston, NC, which later became Dobbs School.
Delta Chi Sigma was the first Greek-letter chapter organized in Craven County. In 1958, the chapter name was changed to New Bern Alumnae. Today, the chapter serves the counties of Carteret, Craven, Jones, and Pamlico.