Delta Theta Sigma Sorority, Elephant Collection

Deborah Gadsden

Deb Gadsden’s affinity for elephants began long before she was inducted into the Lancaster (PA) Alumni Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 1997 upon obtaining her master’s degree in social work. Her mother, Mary Kathryn Harrison Wilson who was a long-time member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., amassed a huge collection of elephant themed figurines, clothing, and one huge plant stand. Collecting elephants, with the trunk in an upward position, is a Delta tradition in honor of Florence Letcher Toms, one of the original founders of the sorority on January 13, 1913. Each member aspires to collect at least 22 items to correspond with the number of the original founders.

The first 22 must be acquired as gifts. For Deb, her mother’s elephant collection represented the years of love and support sorority sisters bestowed upon her mother. During hard times and good times, Delta’s sisters uplifted and sustained her mother, an educator raising four children in a dysfunctional marriage. Deb’s collection also symbolizes her achievement of her long-desired goal to join the Lancaster (PA) Alumni Chapter, an experience capped by being pinned by her mother at the initiation ceremony. Upon Mary’s death in 2007, Deb inherited her mother’s collection as it is the responsibility of every Delta to designate the recipient of their cherished collections. Today, Deb’s collection, augmented with gifts from her children, friends, and sisters, occupies every cubby hole, nook and cranny in her home including one room entirely dedicated to her beloved Delta sorority.  

Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art is organized and toured by International Arts & Artists.