AHOSKIE – The effort was worth the wait.

After decades of searching for a permanent home, Deltas of the Roanoke Chowan Area, Inc. (DRCA) formally opened their headquarters on Sept. 9 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at 100/102 Rogers Street in Ahoskie.

DRCA is a non-profit corporation and part of the Ahoskie Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The local Delta Chapter is very active in the local community, sponsoring several projects as well as its GEMS program, popular among local young ladies.

While their contributions to the local area are a source of pride, the fact they were homeless was not. Since receiving their charter in 1973, the local Deltas have searched for a place they could call their own.

“We have gathered for meetings in many different places over the years,” said current Ahoskie Alumni Chapter President Mary Harrell-Sessoms. “This is now a dream come true, one that first dreamed 38 years ago when our first president, now NC House Representative Annie Mobley, was heading up our Delta Alumni Chapter. For whatever reason that dream laid dormant for many, many years.”

During her first term as president in 2002, Harrell-Sessoms said it was her quest to revisit that dream. However, when her four-year term ended the dream was yet fulfilled.

“We were very fortunate for the presidents that came after me saw this as a vision that could be and they put me as the chairperson of the housing committee,” Harrell-Sessoms recalled. “Along with Viola Holland, Annie Mobley, Emma Johnson and Lilly White, we continued to look for property.

“We were in the process of building a house from the ground up when one of the members of the housing committee said to go back to the realtors to see if there was an existing house or building that would fit our needs,” she added. “We did just that. We contacted Joe Murray Realty and he told us of this particular piece of property and gave us a price. When we examined this property we found nothing was wrong. It was perfect. We were given the key and we are debt free.”

Over the summer months, Delta members had a roof installed, painted, put down new flooring and redecorated their new headquarters.

“Your financial support, your moral support and your prayers have got us to the point we are today as well as to those who gave of their free time this summer to make this day possible,” Harrell-Sessoms said.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured two state leaders that serve the Roanoke-Chowan area.

“When I look out this morning at the sea of women dressed in red, I must say you are doing great things here. Women are leading our country now. I commend all of you for this house that women built. You had a vision, one you kept alive,” said State Senator Ed Jones.

“To those of you that were naysayers in our efforts, it has happened,” NC House Representative Annie Mobley stated. “Those of you who were unsure of buying property in this part of the town, it takes people like us to revive it, to revitalize it. We joined hands to make this happen. Our husbands, our friends helped make this happen. The Deltas of the Roanoke-Chowan area are going to make this happen.”

Sorer President Martha Thompson informed the audience that Deltas consider themselves as pioneers.

“We have a vision for this community. When we have a vision, we stick to it. We are here and we are open to the community, not just to the Deltas,” Thompson said.

The purpose of DRCA is to implement, identify and foster ideals and programs for the benefit of the community.

In addition to Harrell-Sessoms, the other ranking officers of the local Delta Chapter include Rosiland T. Grant, Vice-President; Assata K. Buffalo, Recording Secretary; Linda McNair-Moore, Corresponding Secretary; Emma H. Johnson, Financial Secretary; Jean S. Canada, Treasurer; Marilyn Chavis-Watford, Marshall Cherry, Hilma Flood, Emma Johnson, Annie W. Mobley, Constance W. Richardson, Ronald Robertson and Viola Vaughan-Holland.