After more than a 10-year absence, a well-known and highly regarded program returned to Howard University last week. 

Through its 2026 Woman to Woman Conference, the Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. welcomed more than 100 local high school girls mother Blackburn Center Feb. 6 for a day designed to empower, educate and elevate young minds. 

The conference, which was first hosted by the chapter in conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) Student Council in 1993, was a signature event for the chapter for more than 20 years, attracting female youth from schools throughout the DMV. It was paused in 2014, but current chapter members worked to bring back an event they believe is crucial for young women today. 

“We have heard from past members of the chapter about the conference and what it meant to the campus community and community at large,” said Alpha Chapter President Grace Delpit, a graduating senior biology major from New Orleans. “So, as we planned out our programming for the year, we definitely wanted to see what we could do to bring the program back and hopefully lay the foundation for it to once again be an annual event.” 

Noni McKee (B.A. ‘93) was president of the COAS student council during the 1992-1993 academic year. As she planned out activities that she wanted the council to do, she envisioned a program similar to Boys to Men, a daylong workshop then hosted by COAS and the Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. where high school males came to the campus to hear from Howard students and professionals working in various fields.  

After a lot pitching to university leadership for financial support and seeking buy-in from other campus organizations to assist with execution, the Woman to Woman Conference was conceived, holding the inaugural event Feb. 23, 1993. McKee, who was also a member of Alpha Chapter at the time, thought it was a natural fit for the chapter to work on such a program.  

“The Founders of Delta Sigma Theta were committed to service and social action, so it just made sense that a program like this would be something that we’d do. But, it was important to me that we collaborate with other organizations then because I knew the impact this could have on others,” said McKee, who is currently an adjunct professor and member of the Howard University School of Law’s Board of Visitors. “At the time, I just knew that this was something that could change lives.” 

A featured speaker at this year’s conference, McKee looked back with fondness at the powerhouse lineup of speakers who participated in the first program, including then-Essence Magazine editor Susan Taylor; Dorothy I. Height, the 10th national president of Delta Sigma Theta and the longtime head of the National Council of Negro Women; and Vashti Murphy McKenzie, who would become the first woman elected to serve as a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. 

“It was such a huge undertaking for collegiate students, but the work we did really did create something meaningful for young girls and even those of us who planned it,” McKee said. “And I am so very proud to see the chapter put together a program and invite girls to campus to hear messages of inspiration and see women here on this campus whom they can look up to.”  

A Space for Honest Conversation 

This year’s conference centered on leadership, self-esteem, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement; all topics that were explored by a variety of professional female presenters in workshops attended by the high school students and their chaperones. But attendees also had an opportunity to engage with current Howard students from members of Alpha Chapter, to representatives from various student organizations who participated in coordinating the event.  

Montrelle Green (B.A. ‘12) is the owner of Velvet Wax & Beauty, a unisex skincare studio in Virginia. She was one of the workshop speakers who shared insights with the students.  

“It was an honor to come back and participate in this event,” said Green, who participated in a workshop entitled “Politics 101,” where the conversation focused on how becoming civically engaged is more than just voting; but rather a way to learn how all facets of life are impacted by legislators.  

“I realize how important it is for women like myself to take time to share our insight and experiences with young people,” Green said. “As a small business owner who also owns real estate throughout the DMV, politics is not abstract — it directly impacts my day-to-day business operations and my life in general. It is crucial for our young people to stay actively engaged and get involved with local organizations and community groups.” 

Intergenerational Sisterhood in Action 

What distinguished this conference was its intentional bridging of generations. Howard students sat alongside seasoned professionals and high school students, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences. 

Eden Boles, a graduating senior biology major from Little Rock, Arkansas, and member of Alpha Chapter, enjoyed the opportunity to see how the different generations in the room were able to find inspiration and insight from the speakers throughout the day. 

“The Woman to Woman Conference was truly a fulfilling experience,” said Boles, who is also the reigning Ms. Howard University. She engaged with participants while wearing her sash and crown, giving the teens in attendance an opportunity to see Black brilliance, excellence, and beauty up close. 

“This year, we centered around the importance of individuality and being multifaceted within our Black expression,” Boles said. “From my sitting with the young ladies and listening to them, I could see that they thoroughly enjoyed the topics covered, from embracing education to financial literacy, because it was all done in such an engaging fashion.” 

Alpha Chapter’s Living Legacy 

Since its founding on Jan. 13, 1913, on Howard’s campus, Delta Sigma Theta has stood at the intersection of scholarship, service, and social action. The Woman to Woman Conference reflects that legacy, blending intellectual rigor, personal storytelling, and sisterhood in a way that feels both timely and deeply grounded in tradition. Alpha Chapter is not merely the birthplace of Delta Sigma Theta; it is a living testament to Black women’s intellectual and political power. 

Throughout the program, presenters invoked Howard’s enduring legacy of critical thought, social responsibility, and community uplift. Speakers emphasized how the values cultivated on The Yard continue to shape Delta women across the nation. 

Several panelists highlighted how Alpha Chapter’s programming aligns with the sorority’s broader mission: advancing equity, amplifying Black voices, and creating pathways for future leaders. 

Alpha Chapter framed the Woman to Woman Conference not as a standalone event, but as part of an ongoing commitment to learning, service, and mutual support. Expectations are high that the conference will return in 2027.