NATCHEZ — The Natchez Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., hosted a founder’s day celebration Saturday afternoon at the Natchez Convention Center, celebrating 98 years of existence.

Sorority members from all over Mississippi and Louisiana, along with city and county leaders gathered to commemorate the occasion and to pay tribute to the sorority’s founding members.

Delta Sigma Theta was founded in 1913 by a group of 22 collegiate women on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Keynote speaker and Delta Sigma Theta’s National President Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre said celebrating founder’s day is always a joyous occasion.

“We are a sorority that has withstood the test of time,” she said. “And we come together to celebrate our history and remind ourselves of why we have been called to serve this sisterhood.”

McIntyre was handed the keys to the city by Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton and Board of Supervisor’s President Darryl Grennell even proclaimed that March 19 would now be Cynthia M. A. McIntyre Day in Adams County.

McIntyre serves as president to the sorority that has more than 250,000 members worldwide, and said it is always important to remember from where you came.

“This is a time for us to recall how it all got started,” she said. “Delta women have been making a difference in communities for a long time and we are proud of that fact.”

Fayette resident and Natchez Alumnae Chapter member Linda Davis said she was proud to be a Delta and to celebrate founder’s day.

“There are people here from all over here today, and many of them are from different sororities and fraternities,” she said. “It is so good to see this many people celebrating our past.”

Vidalia resident Delores Whitley attended the luncheon to celebrate her more than 25 years of being a Delta.

“I joined in college in 1985,” she said. “This is my first founder’s day to go to, and I am glad I get to help honor our founder’s legacy.”

Whitley said she has not joined the Natchez Alumnae Chapter yet, but she hopes to do so in the future.

“The sorority stands for so much,” she said. “I just love being a part of that.”