Regional History

The roots of the Southwest Region were established in 1930 when Anna Johnson Julian, the 4th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., traveled through Louisiana and Texas to extend the Sorority’s impact. During her historic visit, she chartered two graduate chapters—Rho Sigma (Shreveport Alumnae) and Sigma Sigma (Austin Alumnae)—along with two collegiate chapters—Alpha Iota (Wiley College) and Alpha Kappa (Huston-Tillotson). These new chapters, combined with existing chapters in Dallas and Houston, strengthened the call for a formal regional presence in the Southwest.

In 1932, during the 11th National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, the Sorority officially sanctioned both the Central and Southwest Regions. Soror Edna Kinchion was appointed as the first Southwest Regional Director, marking the beginning of organized leadership in the region.

The Southwest Region continued its momentum with the Southwest Regional Conference in 1933, held in Austin, Texas, at Huston-Tillotson College. The conference welcomed distinguished leaders, including Founder Myra L. Davis Hemmings, 2nd Regional Director Mary Lou Davis Tolbert, regional officer Henrietta Bell, and delegates representing Alpha Iota, Alpha Kappa, and Sigma Sigma Chapters.

A defining moment in the region’s identity came in 1989, when Regional Director Maxine Cormier bestowed the enduring title of the “Blazing” Southwest Region—a name that reflects the strength, spirit, and trailblazing legacy of its members.

The Southwest Region is honored to be home to four Founders

Founder Frederica Chase Dodd – Dallas, Texas
Founder Myra Lillian Davis Hemmings – Gonzales, Texas
Founder Zephyr Chisom Carter – El Paso, Texas
Founder Jessie McGuire Dent – Galveston, Texas

It is also the home of two Past National Presidents:

24th National President Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, 2008-2013
28th National President Elise Cooke Holmes, 2022-2025

Today, the Blazing Southwest Region includes the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas, as well as Jamaica. It continues to champion excellence in sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action across the region and beyond.

The 24th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Cynthia Marie Antonette Butler-McIntyre, hailed from the Southwest Region. Serving as National President from 2008 to 2013, she also held the role of Regional Director for the Southwest Region from 1997 to 2001. In 1993, she made history as the first regionally elected member of the National Scholarship & Standards Committee the Southwest Region.

The Southwest Region is also the proud home of the Immediate Past International President, Elsie Cooke-Holmes. Soror Cooke-Holmes has an extensive history of service, having previously held the roles of National First Vice President, National Secretary, and National Second Vice President. She has also served as a member of the National Board of Directors and the National Scholarship & Standards Committee.

National Presidents from The Blazing Southwest Region

24th National President
Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre

Immediate Past International President
Elsie Cooke-Holmes

The Blazing Southwest Region is the proud home of four of our twenty-two beloved Founders

Founder Myra Lillian Davis-Hemmings of Gonzales, Texas
Founder Zephyr Chisom Carter of El Paso, Texas
Founder Jessie McGuire Dent of Galveston, Texas
Founder Frederica Chase Dodd of Dallas, Texas