Delta Gamma History
Below you will find more of Delta Gamma's history, our Symbols, values, and our council!
History
Delta Gamma was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi, at the Lewis School for Girls by three young women who were unable to go home for the Christmas break. Together, Anna Boyd, Mary Comfort and Eva Webb created a club of "mutual helpfulness."
They chose the Greek letters Delta and Gamma because of their desire to "Do Good." It remains Delta Gamma's motto today and a driving force in all we do. Delta Gamma is a sisterhood built on a commitment to making the world better through not only service, but also a deep appreciation for each individual.
What started with three women in Oxford, Mississippi, has since grown into an international Fraternity with 146 collegiate chapters and more than 220 alumnae groups. Delta Gamma's sisterhood continues to inspire women through the values that were built into our very first Constitution. Article II, written by our Founders in 1873, states:
"The objects of this Fraternity shall be to foster high ideals of friendship among women, to promote their educational and cultural interests, to create in them a true sense of social responsibility and to develop in them the best qualities of character."
While the Constitution spells out the values of a Delta Gamma woman in Article II, you can't tell the story of Delta Gamma without speaking of hope. The original pin of the Fraternity was the letter "H," which the Founders meant to stand for hope. A few years before she died, Founder Mary Comfort Leonard described the first pin:
"We went to a local jeweler and had our pin made-the letter 'H,' which stood for hope, for we hoped great results and have not been disappointed…" - The Shield
Delta Gamma Fraternity does not discriminate in its membership selection on the basis of race, religious affiliation, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical disability.
Delta Gamma Fraternity is a dynamic organization committed to diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Similarly, Delta Gamma Fraternity does not discriminate in its membership selection on the basis of race, religious affiliation, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical disability. All efforts are in place to guarantee those selected for membership in Delta Gamma have good scholarship, are of good character and standing, have an interest in activities which will enhance the academic atmosphere at the college, university, or community, and have a sincere desire to contribute to the work of Delta Gamma. Delta Gamma encourages an atmosphere which will foster the high ideals of friendship among college women, promote their educational and cultural interests, create in them a true sense of social responsibility, and develop in them the best qualities of character. The Executive Offices will continue to work with the individual chapters to ensure that all policies and procedures are followed at all times.
They chose the Greek letters Delta and Gamma because of their desire to "Do Good." It remains Delta Gamma's motto today and a driving force in all we do. Delta Gamma is a sisterhood built on a commitment to making the world better through not only service, but also a deep appreciation for each individual.
What started with three women in Oxford, Mississippi, has since grown into an international Fraternity with 146 collegiate chapters and more than 220 alumnae groups. Delta Gamma's sisterhood continues to inspire women through the values that were built into our very first Constitution. Article II, written by our Founders in 1873, states:
"The objects of this Fraternity shall be to foster high ideals of friendship among women, to promote their educational and cultural interests, to create in them a true sense of social responsibility and to develop in them the best qualities of character."
While the Constitution spells out the values of a Delta Gamma woman in Article II, you can't tell the story of Delta Gamma without speaking of hope. The original pin of the Fraternity was the letter "H," which the Founders meant to stand for hope. A few years before she died, Founder Mary Comfort Leonard described the first pin:
"We went to a local jeweler and had our pin made-the letter 'H,' which stood for hope, for we hoped great results and have not been disappointed…" - The Shield
Delta Gamma Fraternity does not discriminate in its membership selection on the basis of race, religious affiliation, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical disability.
Delta Gamma Fraternity is a dynamic organization committed to diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Similarly, Delta Gamma Fraternity does not discriminate in its membership selection on the basis of race, religious affiliation, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical disability. All efforts are in place to guarantee those selected for membership in Delta Gamma have good scholarship, are of good character and standing, have an interest in activities which will enhance the academic atmosphere at the college, university, or community, and have a sincere desire to contribute to the work of Delta Gamma. Delta Gamma encourages an atmosphere which will foster the high ideals of friendship among college women, promote their educational and cultural interests, create in them a true sense of social responsibility, and develop in them the best qualities of character. The Executive Offices will continue to work with the individual chapters to ensure that all policies and procedures are followed at all times.
Anchor
The anchor is the most widely recognized symbol of Delta Gamma Fraternity.
H
The original badge of our Founders was the letter "H." This symbolized hope, which was our Founders' watchword.
New Member Badge
Women who are pledged to join, but who are not yet initiated, wear the new member pin. The white shield has the Greek letters Pi Alpha inscribed on it. The shield suggests the Fraternity badge and is exchanged for the badge upon Initiation.
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The Badge
The original badge of our Founders was the letter "H." This symbolized hope, which was our Founders' watchword.
Flower
The Fraternity flower is the cream-colored rose. The Fraternity colors are bronze, pink and blue.
The Crest
The meaning of the crest is only known to its initiated members. The colors of the crest are cream for the rose at the apex of the crest; gold for the three, five-pointed stars on the shield, the rope around the shield and outline of the scroll ribbon; burnt maize for the flanking ornaments of the rose and the Greek letters, Tau Delta Eta; blue for the lower two-thirds of the shield; green for the upper third and center section of the shield and the leaves of the rose; and rose for the Greek letters Delta Gamma.
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Council
The Council of Delta Gamma consists of eight Delta Gamma members who dedicate countless hours to the Fraternity each year. The Council is responsible for policy management decisions and the operation of the Fraternity according to the provisions of the Fraternity Constitution. Each Council officer is responsible for programming and policy implementation according to the duties of her office.
In the directory below, you will find each Council officer's name, chapter of Initiation and email address. These email addresses should not be used for solicitation or media inquiries. If you are a vendor looking to partner with the Fraternity, please email [email protected]. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
2020-2022 Council of Delta Gamma
President:
Wilma Johnson Wilbanks, Alpha Psi-Mississippi, [email protected]
Council Trustee: Collegians:
Dr. Amy Ayres, Alpha lota-Oklahoma, [email protected]
Council Trustee: Alumnae:
Sheri Ann Senne, Alpha Theta-North Dakota, [email protected]
Council Trustee: Fraternity Programming:
Joanna Rosenow Shook, Alpha Upsilon-Southern Methodist, [email protected]
Council Trustee: Membership:
Carolyn Schnure Hill, Alpha Lambda-Drake, [email protected]
Council Trustee: Communications:
Kathleen Brady Stanton, Alpha lota-Oklahoma, [email protected]
Treasurer
Susan Eddy Kinney, Beta Psi-Alabama, [email protected]
National Panhellenic Delegate:
Shari Souser Malone, Gamma Epsilon-Kent State, [email protected]
In the directory below, you will find each Council officer's name, chapter of Initiation and email address. These email addresses should not be used for solicitation or media inquiries. If you are a vendor looking to partner with the Fraternity, please email [email protected]. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
2020-2022 Council of Delta Gamma
President:
Wilma Johnson Wilbanks, Alpha Psi-Mississippi, [email protected]
Council Trustee: Collegians:
Dr. Amy Ayres, Alpha lota-Oklahoma, [email protected]
Council Trustee: Alumnae:
Sheri Ann Senne, Alpha Theta-North Dakota, [email protected]
Council Trustee: Fraternity Programming:
Joanna Rosenow Shook, Alpha Upsilon-Southern Methodist, [email protected]
Council Trustee: Membership:
Carolyn Schnure Hill, Alpha Lambda-Drake, [email protected]
Council Trustee: Communications:
Kathleen Brady Stanton, Alpha lota-Oklahoma, [email protected]
Treasurer
Susan Eddy Kinney, Beta Psi-Alabama, [email protected]
National Panhellenic Delegate:
Shari Souser Malone, Gamma Epsilon-Kent State, [email protected]