The History of Delta Gamma
During the Christmas of 1873, three women, Mary Comfort Leonard, Eva Webb Dodd, and Anna Boyd Ellington, were stranded at their boarding school, the Lewis School for Girls in Oxford, MS, by rains that halted the railroad lines. It was then that they decided to form a club. The club motto was "hope" and the purpose would be to solidify the friendship and sisterhood they already felt. Eight years later, the establishment of a Mississippi state college for women resulted in the closing of the Lewis School and similar institutions. By chance, however, a Phi Delta Theta from Indiana named George Banta decided to bring Delta Gamma to the co-educational universities of the North. He is now our only male initiate, to whom we are grateful for his ability to recognize a great club with good principles, allowing it to spread throughout the country.
Within a few years, Delta Gamma was established in the North, later expanding to the East. In 1891, Delta Gamma was one of the seven charter members of the National Panhellenic Conference when the first inter-sorority meeting was held in Boston.
As the population moved West, so did Delta Gamma. What began as a club in the South soon became an international fraternity in both scope and thinking as Delta Gamma established itself not only in the United States, but also in Canada. Through the years, goals and achievements have grown as Delta Gammas continue to live by the motto set forth by the Founders, "Do Good."
Delta Gamma Philosophy
Delta Gamma offers to women of all ages a rich heritage; continuity based on sound and tested principals of personal integrity, personal responsibility and intellectual honesty.
Delta Gamma’s primary purpose is to create an environment for its members in which lasting friendships are established and in which members find the processes, the experiences and the disciplines that will stimulate clear thought. Its aim is to foster an atmosphere in which women will develop a deeper love and consideration for mankind, a more profound understanding of the purpose of life and a basic wisdom upon which to build their lives.
Delta Gamma’s purpose is accomplished through planned collegiate and alumnae programs that provide intellectual motivation, the opportunity for graciousness in daily living, and community awareness which will enrich the lives of members and instill in them a respect for the enduring values to be gained from the Fraternity.
Delta Gamma Symbols
The symbol of Delta Gamma is an anchor, the traditional symbol of hope. The fraternity colors are bronze, pink, and blue. The official badge of the Fraternity, worn only by initiated members, is a golden anchor, around which is entwined a section of gold cable. A crossbar displays the Greek letters, Tau Delta Eta, in gold on white enamel. Above the flukes of the anchor is a white-enameled shield bearing in gold the Greek letters, Delta Gamma. The badge is traditionally worn over the heart.
Our flower is the beautiful cream-colored Delta Gamma Rose. We were the first sorority to register our flower with the American Rose Association as a registered breed.
Our Delta Gamma mascot is the Hannah doll. There isn't a Delta Gamma around who doesn't know about and love our mascot, Hannah. Born out of the love for an old rag doll, Hannah has become a symbol of the ideal Delta Gamma and of the ideal friend.
Hannah is, indeed, the ideal Delta Gamma. She is loyal and true, and engraved over her heart for anyone to read is "I love you." However, she's more than that; unlike our anchor and our cream rose, which are symbols of golden ideals, our Hannah is based on fun.
Hannah's the girl at whom you can throw the punches, and she still comes back smiling. She's the one you snuggle up to and tell all your secrets. Hannah's devoted to her work, to her sisters, and to the anchor. She wears both the Pi Alpha and the anchor pin. She is anybody willing to give of herself.
Hannah becomes personalized in the form of Hidden Hannahs--unknown individuals who look out for new members before and after initiation. For initiated members, there are Aunt Hannahs. These women are alumnae who provide a link between the collegiate chapters and the alumnae chapters--a tie between the present and the future.
No other organization has a symbol like Hannah--a member that we can poke fun at, have fun with, and just plain love. That's quite a lot for an old rag doll, but then, she is quite a sister.
Hazing Policy
Hazing is defined as:
- any act or tradition that endangers the physical, mental or emotional well-being of a new member and/or member.
- any act or tradition that requests, encourages or suggests violation of city, county, state or national law.
- any act or tradition that is mentally or physically degrading.
- any act or tradition that requires a personal or menial task of a new member and/or member, regardless of location, intent, or consent of the participants.
Alcohol Policy
Delta Gamma policy states that no alcoholic beverages may be served or stored on Delta Gamma property. The Council of Delta Gamma recommends that alcohol awareness and educational programs be an ongoing and integral part of each collegiate chapter's programming throughout the year. Council encourages members to identify with the concepts of responsible drinking and individual choice.
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