It is with great honor and excitement that we recognize Soror Renée E. Thompson as the 2023-24 Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter’s Soror of the Year! Soror Thompson embodies what it means to be a Delta — Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service and Social Action.
Soror Thompson has served as Co-chair of the Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter’s (BNAC) Social Action Commission since 2017 and chair since 2022. Under her leadership, “Community Connections” was created. A series of concerned, caring, and constructive conversations. Topics have been
- a candid conversation about Civil Rights and Race with Attorney Daryl K. Washington
and Keenan J. Saulter, Esq. - a deliberative, solution-based two-part forum about what we should do to ensure equal justice and fair treatment in our community. two-part conversation about safety, social justice, and policing. The panelists consisted of Bloomington Police Chief, Normal Police Chief, Illinois State University Police Chief, and McLean County Sheriff.
- an historic moment with civil rights veteran Rutha Mae Harris one of the original SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee)
- “Achieving Excellence in Our Schools” an engaging and constructive conversation with Bloomington District 87 School District 87 and McLean County Unit 5 superintendents and board presidents.
It is with great honor and excitement that we recognize Soror Renée E. Thompson as the 2023-24 Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter’s Soror of the Year! Soror Thompson embodies what it means to be a Delta — Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service and Social Action.
Soror Thompson has served as Co-chair of the Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter’s (BNAC) Social Action Commission since 2017 and chair since 2022. Under her leadership, “Community Connections” was created. A series of concerned, caring, and constructive conversations. Topics have been
- a candid conversation about Civil Rights and Race with Attorney Daryl K. Washington
and Keenan J. Saulter, Esq. - a deliberative, solution-based two-part forum about what we should do to ensure equal justice and fair treatment in our community. two-part conversation about safety, social justice, and policing. The panelists consisted of Bloomington Police Chief, Normal Police Chief, Illinois State University Police Chief, and McLean County Sheriff.
- an historic moment with civil rights veteran Rutha Mae Harris one of the original SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee)
- “Achieving Excellence in Our Schools” an engaging and constructive conversation with Bloomington District 87 School District 87 and McLean County Unit 5 superintendents and board presidents.
Each year, in partnership with the National Association of Colored People and the League of Women Voters, Soror Thompson assists with Voter registration, education, and mobilization campaigns.
Under Soror Thompson’s leadership, BNAC has received three Social Action state and regional awards.
- 2022-2023 Midwest Region Program Award for the Most Innovative Program or Public Service Awarded to outstanding alumnae chapters that have demonstrated innovation of programmatic delivery or community involvement.
- 2022 Midwest Region Political Awareness and Involvement Award – 2nd Place (Small Chapter)
- 2021 Delta Days at the State Capitol Social Action Award – 3rd Place
Soror Thompson serves on the board of Project XV Museum. Named in honor of the 15th Amendment, the museum will be the first voting rights museum in the state of Illinois. The site of the museum is located in El Paso and will tell the story of the first Black man to vote in Illinois, David Strother. Soror Thompson works closely with the board members and community volunteers to implement and promote the museum throughout the state.
The mission of Project XV Museum is to educate and empower communities by shedding light on the rich history of voting rights, promote awareness of the struggles and triumphs of those who fought for their right to vote, and to inspire a new generation of activists to ensure equitable access to the ballot.
In addition to her work within BNAC and the community, Soror Thompson has served on the Theta Delta Advisory Council for five years. She has been involved in three MITs as a member of the Minerva Circle and/or assisting soror.
Join us in congratulating Soror Renée E. Thompson on this well-deserved honor and recognition as the Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter’s 2023-2024 Soror of the Year!
On March 20, 1982, area Sorors met in Hovey Hall at Illinois State University to discuss the establishment of an alumnae chapter. With a clear vision in the hearts and minds of 12 women, the Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was chartered on March 27, 1983, by Soror Alison Harmon, Midwest Regional Director.
