History
Delta Gamma was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi, at Lewis School 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 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 for great results and have not been disappointed…"
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.
Our local history:
The Indianapolis Alumnae of Delta Gamma chapter has a rich history. From funding and sponsoring projects for the Indiana School for the Blind and Prevent Blindness Indiana to serving on advisory and house corporation boards for collegiate chapters of Delta Gamma, the chapter has contributed much. Some recent achievements include building and funding the Braille Trail and Herb Garden at Conner Prairie in 1987, hosting an Art of the Eye exhibit in 1997, and giving a $10,000 endowment to Riley Children's Hospitals Ophthalmology Department in 1999.
1908 Several Delta Gammas living in Indianapolis began working toward starting an Indianapolis alumnae chapter.
1910 The custom of having the Founders Day reunion began. This tradition continued until 1943 when it was suspended temporarily because of war.
September 10, 1912 A charter establishing the Indianapolis Alumnae of Delta Gamma group was granted to 18 women, who were alumnae of the Theta Chapter, The group used the name Theta Alpha, and its first major project was assisting the Theta Chapter in entertaining the national convention at Niagara Falls in June 1913. Theta Alpha's interests chiefly surrounded around recruiting Indianapolis women for the Theta chapter at Indiana University and raising money toward Theta's house fund. Elizabeth Banta (Theta) was a member in the early growth of the chapter. She was the niece of Mr. George Banta, the only male initiate of Delta Gamma.
1926 The Indianapolis Alumnae of Delta Gamma helped start the Alpha Tau Chapter at Butler University. 1950s The Indianapolis Alumnae of Delta Gamma begins assisting with vision screening. Since our founding, the Indy Alumnae Chapter has contintued to grow and do good for our sisters and our community.
Such a short history covering the work of years must necessarily omit the names of many who have been faithful workers in the organization. The members of the Indianapolis Alumnae can feel justly proud of their achievements for the fraternity and of their place in the social and community life of their city. Edith M. Curtis, Theta
