Olympic Legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee Inducted as Honorary Member of Delta Sigma Theta

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, one of the most decorated and respected athletes in Olympic history, has been inducted as an Honorary Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The induction took place during the Sorority’s 57th National Convention today, where Joyner-Kersee was recognized alongside a powerful line of women who embody Delta’s commitment to excellence, leadership, and service.

Named by Sports Illustrated as the “Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century,” Joyner-Kersee is a six-time Olympic medalist. Her world record in the heptathlon, set in 1988, still stands today and is a testament to her dominance in track and field. A dual-sport standout at UCLA, she earned national honors in both basketball and track while attending the university on a basketball scholarship.

Her commitment to education, youth development, and community empowerment has defined her legacy off the field. In 1988, she founded the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, which operates a 41,000-square-foot center in her hometown of East St. Louis. The center provides educational, athletic, and leadership opportunities to thousands of young people and families.

Joyner-Kersee is also a co-founder of Athletes for Hope, an organization that connects professional athletes with meaningful community service, and serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network. Her service-driven leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award and UCLA’s Professional Achievement Award.

Her induction into Delta Sigma Theta honors not only her unparalleled athletic achievements but also her lifelong dedication to uplifting others, values that align with the Sorority’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust and core principles.

“This year’s class of Honorary Members represents a powerhouse group of barrier-breaking women across politics, entertainment, business, sports, and social impact,” said Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. International President Elsie Cooke-Holmes. “Each one a force in her field and a reflection of Delta’s enduring mission.”

Jackie Joyner-Kersee joins fellow 2025 Honorary Members Donna Brazile, Danielle Brooks, Swin Cash, Janice Bryant Howroyd, Toni Townes-Whitley, Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens, and Fawn Weaver in this distinguished honor.