Sororities unite: MTSU’s Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Tau Alpha make strides in breast cancer awareness

Destiny Mizell | Lifestyles Editor • October 23, 2023

Featured Photo courtesy of Delandria Phillips

Story by Taylor Bentley

Greek life is well-known for its commitment to philanthropy. A single sorority or fraternity can do tremendous good for a cause or organization that they decide to support by dedicating their time, money and resources. So, it is no surprise that when one sorority or fraternity joins forces with another, they can make an even bigger impact.

Poster for bra collection drive. (Photo Courtesy of Delandria Phillips).

Two Middle Tennessee State University MTSU sororities, the Iota Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and the Iota Chi chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, did just that when they teamed up for a bra collection drive earlier this month.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in support, they invited anyone on campus to bring “clean bras of any size and kind” to a donation box located in the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership Office in the Student Union. The drive began on Thursday, Oct. 5 and lasted two weeks. During that time, the sororities received dozens of bras, which they plan to donate to women in local shelters in need of undergarments.

While it is not uncommon for sororities to partner for a cause, this event is unique as it marks the first time that MTSU’s chapters of Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Tau Alpha have worked together on this kind of donation drive.

Two Delta Sigma Theta members pose at the “Red Goes Pink” table on October 5. (Photo Courtesy of Delandria Phillips).

However, for Delta Sigma Theta, this certainly was not their first donation drive collaboration with another sorority. February, alongside members from MTSU’s Delta Pi chapter of Kappa Delta and Epsilon Tau chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, they organized a donation drive for underprivileged children in the Murfreesboro community. The three sororities collected dozens of new and gently used children’s books and toys. This is just one example of the many donation drives Delta Sigma Theta has organized with other sororities over the years.

The bra collection drive is not all that Delta Sigma Theta did this month to raise awareness for breast cancer, either. Every October, the sorority is known for “#DSTGoesPink” or “#RedGoesPink” initiative, wherein members bring awareness for breast cancer and how it disproportionately affects African American women in the community. The sorority participates by organizing events like donation drives as well as other acts of educational community service.

The “Red Goes Pink” table offers breast cancer awareness ribbons, brochures and candy on Oct. 5. (Photo Courtesy of Delandria Phillips).

On Oct. 5, the first day of the bra collection drive, Delta Sigma Theta organized a successful “Red Goes Pink” tabling in the Student Union Atrium in another partnership with Zeta Tau Alpha. Members from both sororities took turns manning the table where they handed out pink breast cancer awareness ribbons and brochures, offered “Red Goes Pink” themed candy such as Starburst and Skittles, and had a large box for bra donations.

MTSU’s Delta Sigma Theta chapter is proud of all the work done in partnership with Zeta Tau Alpha for breast cancer awareness this October, especially the bra collection drive for local women in need. Both sororities are eager to continue to do good for their community and hope to collaborate again soon.

To contact Lifestyles Editor Destiny Mizell, email [email protected]. For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, or follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines or on X at @MTSUSidelines.

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