Baltimore Area Chapters recognized the efforts of Civil Rights Pioneers in Baltimore during the 1955 and 1963 sit-ins at Read’s Drug Store, Northwood Theatre and the Hecht Company’s Rooftop Restaurant.
This day was part of the Maryland activities commemorating the 100th anniversary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and to recognize the Deltas and activists who took part in the Civil Rights Movement in the Baltimore area.
The program was held near the historic Read’s Drug Store at the corner of Lexington Street and Park Avenue, the location of one of the first sit-ins held to desegregate lunch counters in 1955 by courageous students from Morgan State University.
Invited guests included members of the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, civil rights activists, local officials and other organizations.
Dr. Thelma T. Daley and Vashti Turley Murphy, founder of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority were honored. Dr. Daley is a Maryland native and Baltimore area resident, a prominent educator and advocate of women’s rights.
The culminating activity concluded with naming the corner of Park Avenue and Lexington Street Vashti Turley Murphy Way.