Cheryl A. Hickmon, the beloved National President and Chair of the National Board of Directors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., passed suddenly after a brief illness.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority issued a statement on their website and social media confirming her death.
“It is with great sorrow that Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. shares the passing of our beloved National President and Chair of the National President and Chair of the National Board of Directors, Cheryl A. Hickmon. President Hickmon transitioned peacefully on January 20, 2022, after a recent illness,” the statement read.
“President Hickmon was a devoted member of Delta Sigma Theta since 1982 and served in various capacities at the chapter, region, and national level before being elected National President,” the statement continued. “She is remembered not only for her role as a leader but for being a colleague, friend, and most of all, sister. The entire sisterhood of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated mourns the loss of President Hickmon. During this difficult time, we ask that you respect her family’s privacy and keep them in your prayers.”
Hickmon’s death was discussed with April Ryan by Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and National Past President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
“I’ve had the pleasure, the blessing of knowing Cheryl Hickmon since she was 19 years of age. We have served together for almost 40 years through our journey together,” Fudge said. “She was thoughtful and loyal to a fault. She was that person that possessed that extraordinary Delta spirit of scholarship, sisterhood, and service that we all strive for. She will be greatly missed. Just an extraordinary and outstanding woman of God.”
Hickmon is the first National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc in the organization’s history to die while in office.
Hickmon joined the Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta at South Carolina State University (SCSU) in 1982, according to the Carolina Panorama. She is the first SCSU alumna to lead the organization on a national level. Hickmon is a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta and the Hartford Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Fraternity.
National Vice President, National Secretary, Eastern Regional Director, South Atlantic Regional Representative, co-chair of the National Documents Review and Revision Task Force, co-chair of the National Leadership Academy, and President of the Hartford Alumnae Chapter and Alpha Xi Chapter.
Hickmon died just days after Delta Sigma Theta celebrated its Founders Day (Jan. 13), commemorating 109 years since the original Delta Sigma Theta sisters founded the organization at Howard University to promote Scholarship, Service, and Sisterhood.
The organization shared Hickmon lived her life by the motto, “Don’t measure life by the number of breaths you take but by the number of moments that take your breath away.”
