In the fall of 1961, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. from Breaux Bridge, Lafayette, and New Iberia met to discuss forming a local chapter within the Acadiana area. After discussing with Grand Chapter, 12th National President Jeanne L. Noble sent official notice granting permission to charter an alumnae chapter in the Acadiana area. On February 24, 1962, the Lafayette-New Iberia Alumnae chapter was chartered in the home of Gloria P. Bryant in New Iberia, LA. Regional Director, Dr. Anna Grant, a professor at Grambling College, led the chartering with the assistance of Mrs. Hazel Jones. In 1972, the name of the chapter was changed to Lafayette Alumnae, when New Iberia Alumnae became chartered. On February 24, 2012, the chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary. Since its charter, Lafayette Alumnae has initiated more than 125 members into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The chapter has also assisted in the establishment of four chapters within the Acadiana area: Theta Xi (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in 1971, New Iberia Alumnae Chapter in 1972, Crowley Alumnae Chapter in 1975, and Opelousas Alumnae Chapter in 1979.
Since its inception, Lafayette Alumnae has been a dominating force within the Acadiana area. The current public service projects of the chapter include Beautillion, Health Fairs, Voter Registration Drives, The Black Pages of Greater Lafayette, Scholarship programs, Delta GEMS, EMBODI, Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, Thanksgiving/Christmas Baskets, and several collaborative projects with community service, health care and education agencies around the Acadiana area. Past projects included May Week, Little Miss Delta, Jabberwock, Ebony Fashion Fair, and Teen Lift. The chapter provides service to Lafayette, St. Martin (excluding the cities/towns/villages of Cade, Parks, and St. Martinville), and Vermillion parishes.
