The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Madison alumnae chapter hosted its annual Heart and Soul Ball event this past weekend to raise money for their scholarship funds and to honor some longtime community activists.
This year’s event Feb. 13 at the Double Tree Hotel in downtown Madison was titled “22 Shades of Red: A Night of Intrigue.” Jacquelyn Hunt, a chemical abuse specialist at Journey Mental Health Center and an outstanding and impactful community member in Madison, was honored by the Deltas.
“Mental health is such a stigmatized illness in the black community and the fact that they were willing to recognize me for my efforts to raise awareness and to bridge the gap that black people face when it comes to getting services they need … that was huge,” Hunt tells Madison365. “It was humbling to be recognized by the Deltas.”
Although black women are often burdened by mental illness, their use of mental health services is low. Stigma is often most significant barrier to seeking mental health services among African Americans.
“One of the things that black women are always saying is, ‘Ya know. I just gotta keep it movin’,’” Hunt says. “Regardless of what comes up in our lives, we have been taught to bare this burden all the way from slavery – from suckling babies being ripped from our breast and having to go right out into the fields. Over generations there has been this message to black women that we have to ‘just keep it moving.’ And, I’m like, ‘No, no, no!’
“I’ve been a mental health professional for 16 years and at the core of substance abuse, at the core of incarceration, at the core of disproportionate rates of African American children in the foster care system … there is trauma and mental health issues that are undiagnosed and need to be addressed,” Hunt adds. “Once I realized that, I knew that I couldn’t continue as a professional without trying to raise more awareness about this particular issue and to reduce the stigma associated with it.”
Twenty-two women chartered the alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta in August 1977 in Madison. Membership is now up to 55 women who work within the community to support different health initiatives, educational initiatives, economic development initiatives, art initiatives and more. The Heart and Soul Ball is their signature event.
“To be recognized by such a prestigious organization as the Deltas truly had me humbled,” Hunt says. “For an organization whose focus is to give back to the community, I thought it was cool that they recognized what I was doing.”
At the event, the Deltas also honored the Madison City Clerk’s Office for helping the sorority get people in the community registered to vote. The Deltas also honored the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, who work to engage the greater Madison community to empower indigenous African American individuals, families, and communities to bring about hope, transformation, and justice.
“It’s always a big deal when my own community recognizes our work,” Nehemiah President Alex Gee tells Madison365. “Nehemiah has been fighting racial injustice and building capacity in African Americans for nearly 25 years. Thank you, Delta Sigma Theta, for this prestigious honor.”
