When people talk about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., they refer to the activism that was its foundation at its inception in 1913, and notable historic women from Dr. Dorothy Irene Height and HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to actress Angela Bassett and journalist Soledad O’Brien. These ladies, donning red and white, lay claim to an organization that has a rich history of community service, focusing on its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust : Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.
With more than 10,000 members across the state of Texas, working to make their communities better, all eyes will be on the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., on November 12, 2022, at SMU’s Hughes Trigg Student Center, as the woman who serves as National President and Chair, National Board of Directors, Elsie Cook-Holmes, is presented during a special program highlighting her historic rise in the organization.
She was initiated into the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., at the University of Memphis. Since her initiation in 1976, Cooke-Holmes has served in various capacities throughout the organization including, chapter President, National Second Vice President, Regional Director, National Secretary, National First Vice President, and currently National President and Chair, National Board of Directors. Her impressive commitment to a lifetime of service has continued locally, regionally, and nationally. She is currently a member of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Technology/Computer Systems and an MBA from Columbia University, Cooke-Holmes is the Principal/Owner of Cooke-Holmes, LLC; a firm offering executive leadership development, career coaching and human resources consulting. Her career in corporate America spans over 30 years in Fortune 500 companies which include Texas Instruments, Andersen Consulting and PepsiCo.
Cooke-Holmes also holds membership on the Boards of Directors of WiNGS, Inc. (in association with YWCA of Dallas) and The Werthing Ethos Foundation. She participates in several other community activities, including membership in The Links, Inc., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). Residing with her husband, Clarence, in Plano, TX, she is a member of the St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX, where she sings in the Sanctuary Choir.
What : “Fortitude Rising: An Evening with Elsie Cooke-Holmes” and featuring entertainer Eric Benet
Presented by Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Area Alumnae Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc
When: November 12, 2022, 5:30 p.m. CST
Where: Southern Methodist University
Hughes Trigg Student Center, 3140 Dyer St, Dallas, TX 75205
Program & Live Entertainment : 8:00 p.m. CST (Open Seating)
McFarlin Auditorium, 6405 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205
