Members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.- State of Delaware, which encompasses 4 graduate chapters and 2 undergraduate chapters, will paint the State Capital and Legislative Hall BLUE as they visit for their 3rd Annual Blue and White Days in the State of Delaware. Joining the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will be the men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., their constitutionally bound brother fraternity which has 2 graduate chapters in the state. Together, they will make their way to Dover, DE. to speak with members of the Delaware Senate. Senators Nicole Poore and Kyle Evans Gay are sponsoring the organization’s visit and will take time to speak with them about a broad range of community concerns. This will also afford the organizations the opportunity to meet other Senate administration and legislative members.

Under the direction of the Delaware State Director for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Shanena Davenport Fogan, and the State of Delaware Social Action Committee, the intent of the Blue and White Day of Advocacy this year is to support Women’s History Month and advocate to eliminate racial disparities in Maternal and Infant Mortality rates on behalf of black women. Both organizations feel this is important to the communities they serve and have committed to continuing to advocate for this important cause.

Black women have the highest infant mortality rate in Delaware. In fact, in the City of Wilmington, Black babies are dying at a rate of 16.3 per 1,000 live births. That’s nearly three times the national average for all races of 5.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. Delaware is making strides to reduce maternal mortality rates with the passing of six maternal and infant health-related bills into law. The disparity gaps are widening due to structural racism, implicit bias, and its subsequent impact on care rendered and health disparities. Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated worldwide are shining the spotlight on Black Maternal Health. This is a cooperative project between Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the March of Dimes Foundation, continuing the partnership that has spanned for more than 50 years.

Together, they also work on the Stork’s Nest which many chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. operate throughout the U.S. The aim of the Stork’s Nests is to increase the number of women receiving early and regular prenatal care in an effort to prevent cases of low birth weight, premature births, and infant deaths. The first Stork’s Nest was launched in 1971 by the Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Atlanta, Georgia. There are currently three Stork’s Nests in Delaware located in Kent and New Castle County. We ARE taking action.

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