At the inception of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in 1913 at Howard University, the founders envisioned an organization of college women pledged to serious endeavor and community service. These youthful students demonstrated a vital concern for social welfare, academic excellence, and cultural enrichment, de-emphasizing the social side of sorority life. Their ideals of scholarship and service have withstood the test of time. Today, Delta Sigma Theta is an international public service organization, dedicated to a program of sharing membership skills and organizational services in the public interest. In 1930 the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta was incorporated as a national organization.

In the summer of 1958, thirteen concerned Deltas felt a need for an alumnae chapter in the Northern Virginia area and began working towards that end. The Northern

Virginia Alumnae Chapter (NoVAC) was originally chartered as the Alexandria Alumnae Chapter and became the 251st chapter on May 17, 1959.