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 150 collegiate chapters and more than 215 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, ethnicity, religious affiliation, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, physical disability or other characteristics protected by state, provincial or federal law. Membership is open to all individuals who identify as women. Those selected for membership in Delta Gamma must have good scholarship, be of good character and standing, have an interest in activities that will enhance the academic atmosphere at the college or university, and have a sincere desire to contribute to the work of Delta Gamma.
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. The Executive Offices will continue to work with the individual chapters to ensure that all policies and procedures are followed at all times.
For a complete list of our policies, please visit our library.
Louisville Alumnae of Delta Gamma History
~ Memoir by Jane Green, handwritten for the Louisville Alumnae chapter circa 1970
"The earliest activity of Delta Gamma in the Louisville area was in the 1930s. We moved here in 1931 from Indianapolis where my mother, Alatha Beard Rinehart, was quite active in Delta Gamma, including helping with the building of the chapter house at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Executive Offices sent Mother the names of Delta Gammas in the area, and she brought the members together occasionally for purely social gatherings. There was a luncheon held in 1940 to celebrate the 66th year of Delta Gamma, but there was no other gathering like that again until 1949. During this interval, and for several years after, Mother served as State Recommendations Chairman and City Recommendations Chairman, too. Whenever she received a recommendation on a local girl, she visited her home to get the necessary information. (Now Panhellenic rules won't let us contact a girl in any way.)
Among the earliest DG alumnae here were Edna Mae Adams, Mae Mason, Ann Bethune, Virginia Curlee, and Hariette Hassmann. The first meeting where minutes were taken was Apri 22, 1950. We became an association in 1950 and a chapter on December 9, 1959.
Some of our earliest projects were started in 1950. We started our work with the Orthoptic Clinic at the hospital, had a team work on the Community Chest drive, and sold magazine subscriptions and renewals.
Our first Founders Day luncheon was in 1951 at The Old House. Our first Delta Gamma picnic was held in 1952, and our first Christmas party was also in 1952. For several years we wrapped candy for children at the Blind School. Another project in connection with the Blind School was furnishing a playhouse at the kindergarten. We bought some of the kitchen and housekeeping equipment and Virginia Curlee's husband made a stove for us. Delta Gammas made curtains and tablecloths and contributed other useful articles. Later on the dancing teacher needed a 3-speed record player which we bought for her. And several members were readers for Recording for the Blind."
