Newly-elected president of Delta Sigma Theta sorority dies

(NNPA Newswire) — Cheryl Hickmon, president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the nation’s largest African-American sorority died on January 22 at the age of 60, following a recent illness.

Ms. Hickmon was elected the sorority’s 55th national president at its most recent convention which was held in Atlanta, Ga. in November of last year.

Hickmon served the organization for 39 years. The Connecticut native was initiated into the Alpha Xi Chapter at South Carolina State University in 1982 and was an active member of the Hartford (Conn.) Alumnae Chapter.

In addition to serving as the national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Cheryl was employed at Montefiore’s Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Health in Hartsdale, N.Y. where she supervised the In Vitro Fertilization Laboratories for Andrology and Endocrinology. A licensed Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Hickmon worked in the Reproductive Medical Laboratory for more than 30 years.

“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. She is remembered not only for her role as a leader but for being a colleague, friend, and most of all, sister,” was part of a statement released by the sorority’s national office.

“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,” the statement concluded.

Ms. Hickmon is the daughter of the late Dr. Ned Hickmon of Hartford, Conn. and Bishopville, South Carolina and the late Consuella Anderson Hickmon of Hartford, Conn. and Cincinnati, Ohio.

She is survived by her two older brothers Ned and David Hickmon.

Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire and Nsenga K. Burton, NNPA Cultural and Entertainment Editor, contributed to this report.

This article originally published in the January 31, 2022 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.