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Release from NPHC Headquarters |
October 25, 2010 | |
| NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL, INCORPORATED |
FOUNDED 1930 | |
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Mourns Beloved
18th National President, Hortense Golden Canady
WASHINGTON—Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. across the globe are deeply saddened by the loss of Soror Hortense Golden Canady, the organization’s 18th National President. Soror Canady died in her Lansing, Mich. home on October 23 of an apparent heart attack. She was 83.
Soror Canady, a civil rights leader, was the first African-American elected to serve on the Lansing School District’s Board of Education. She was instrumental in helping to desegregate Lansing schools and was one of five board members recalled by Citizens for Neighborhood Schools in 1972 for advocating a school desegregation plan.
"Soror Canady was a strong and fearless leader who wasn’t afraid to make tough decisions and say the things that needed to be said," said Soror Cynthia Butler-McIntyre, National President of Delta Sigma Theta. "She was a role model, mentor, sister and friend who will be greatly missed."
Soror Canady founded Les Meres, a debutante association in Lansing that brings together mothers and daughters from the seventh to twelfth grades. Over the course of the program, participants work together to complete more than 1,000 hours of community service and attend workshops to assist them in developing life skills such as financial literacy, healthy living, leadership and etiquette. During their twelfth grade year, the young women are celebrated in a cotillion ball hosted by their mothers. Soror Canady also went on to become the first executive director of the Lansing Community College Foundation. In 2002 she was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame. She is a charter member of the Lansing Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Soror Canady was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1944 through Alpha Beta Chapter at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. She went on to serve as the 18th National President of the Sorority from 1983-1988. During Soror Canady’s tenure, the needs of women, children and persons throughout the African Diaspora were always addressed from a global perspective. In 1984, she led Summit II: A Call to Action in Support of Black Single Mothers, which piloted in 30 cities and branched out throughout the nation. The program received national attention and was featured in Ebony magazine.
Also under Soror Canady’s leadership, the Sorority established Delta Life Development Centers in 18 cities throughout the United States. The centers provided programs and services such as: tutorial projects, teenage pregnancy prevention, thrift shops, health screenings, children’s theater, career counseling and referral and information services. She oversaw the development of the Delta Leadership Academy which provided leadership to members through on-going, systematic training. During her administration, Soror Canady presided over celebratory activities commemorating the Sorority’s 75th Anniversary. In 2000, she received Delta Sigma Theta’s Mary Church Terrell Award, the highest honor in the Sorority, which is presented to a member who exemplifies courage, commitment and dedication to the equality of African-American women.
"Words cannot express what Soror Canady has meant to the members of Delta Sigma Theta," said Soror Butler-McIntyre. "She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that will inspire us all to strive for excellence and to make a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of others."
Soror Canady is survived by her husband, Dr. Clinton Canady, Jr.; daughter, Dr. Alexa Canady-Davis; and sons, Clinton Canady III, Alan Canady and Mark Canady, all of whom are attorneys.
Services will be held on Thursday, October 28 in Lansing.
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National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. and its member organizations are nonpartisan and do not support or endorse a candidate or political party. Our goal is to provide tools and resources to educate our members and the community on political policies and encourage everyone to vote.
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The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated (NPHC) is currently composed of nine (9) International Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.
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