The Azalea District is in the southeastern section of the state. All five chapters in our district were originally chartered in Norfolk. Azalea sisters live primarily in four cities – Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. These cities include some of the oldest and largest military installations in the nation to include all branches of the military. While Norfolk was established in the 1600’s and Portsmouth in the 1700’s, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach are newer cities formed from previous counties. Portsmouth is home to our Naval hospital and multiple shipyards. Historic sites and tours abound throughout our cities. The countryside is a short drive from inner city botanical gardens and museums or the Norfolk Zoo. Farmers’ markets, beaches, camping, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, and biking are flatlander adventures that await you! More than 1,000,000 people reside in our four cities representing a diverse population. Norfolk is home to 2 large universities- Norfolk State and Old Dominion. Additionally, Tidewater Community College has multiple locations throughout our cities. Our district will be raising funds and collecting grocery items to support our local food bank for our Founders’ Day Altruistic project. Our chapters regularly focus their altruistic endeavors on Alzheimer’s Longest Day, Relay for Life, Food Bank, American Heart Association, Mental Health Awareness, Autism, and others that impact our communities daily.

Our district name was derived from the Azalea gardens, renamed Norfolk Botanical Gardens 1958. It features the largest botanical garden in the state, including an extensive colorful collection of azaleas as well as 558 different Rhododendron species. The garden’s collection has expanded to include Camelias, Hostas, Magnolias, Roses, and much more!