Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s International President and CEO, Elsie Cooke-Holmes was honored by Plano City Council, as June 24 is officially proclaimed Elsie Cooke-Holmes Day!
Members of the sorority, Links Inc., National Council of Negro Women, NAACP, and community members packed the City Council Chambers for the presentation by Mayor John B. Muns, on Monday, June 23, 2025.Before she attended the University of Memphis, Cooke-Holmes was a scholar, involved in community service so it was a natural progression that she would join an organization that focused on community service, sisterhood, and social activism.
So in 1976 as she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology/computer systems, she was initiated into the Epsilon Kappa chapter.
She went on to receive her MBA from Columbia University, and New York and enjoyed a very impressive career in corporate America, spanning more than 30 years.
Hailing from Jackson, TN, while in college, she was elected National Second Vice President; holding the highest office that an undergraduate student could have in the organization. She also went on to serve in numerous positions in the Eastern region, then Internationally, ascending to Secretary, then Vice President, and ultimately, she assumed the role of International president.
It was shortly after she was elected Vice President at the 55th National Convention in 2021 that she assumed the role of President following the sudden death of newly-elected president. Cheryl Hickmon.
Always graceful, focused, and strategic, she stepped into the position, although grieving for her long time, friend and sorority sister, and used the skills she developed as an executive, as well as decades of experience within the sorority she took the helm and has led with grace vision and fortitude.
Despite her many responsibilities as an international president and CEO, Cooke Holmes, who is a member of St Luke “Community” United Methodist Church in Dallas, is participating in other community activities as a member of Links Inc., NAACP, and the National Council of Negro Women.
The former Director of Human Resources at PepsiCo, Cooke Holmes is the principal owner of Cooke-Holmes, LLC, a coaching and HR consulting firm specializing in executive leadership and career coaching leadership development, facilitation, training, and change management.
Delta Sigma Theta was founded at Howard University on January 13, 1913. The Founders first act of public service was participating in the Suffrage March of 1913.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex lays claims to some dynamic women whose influences stretch around the world and are worthy of being celebrated because they have very challenging and sometimes thankless jobs.
During her presidency, Cooke-Holmes was honored with women leaders who head international organizations and live in the D/FW Metroplex.\
These women, in positions of power and influence, are ambassadors because as they travel the world, they let people know where they call home.
At the time they were feted by Texas Metro News, these were the presidents:
Charlotte Berry – International President of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc.
Dr. Terri O’Neal Ford National president of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. Inc.
Margarette Galloway – National President of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.
Elsie Cooke-Holmes – International President and CEO of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.,
Dr. Yolanda Lawson – President of the National Medical Association
Danette Anthony Reed – International President and CEO of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
