Delta Gamma

Theta Beta Chapter at Case Western Reserve University

Delta Gamma 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.

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.

Sisterhood

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.

Hope

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

A Network of Support

College is full of memories and experiences that will shape a woman's life and help lead her into a lifetime of fulfilling membership as an alumna. Upon graduation, Delta Gamma sisterhood is a network of support that enables each alumna to pursue her dreams and goals, while allowing her to give back. With opportunities to join one of more than 220 alumnae groups, mentor collegians, serve as advisers and volunteer for leadership positions, the Delta Gamma experience does not end after college. Instead, our sisterhood broadens to give each Delta Gamma the chance to continue her involvement in her own unique way.

Because serving others is at the root of Delta Gamma's history, the Delta Gamma Foundation functions as the philanthropic arm of the organization. The Foundation has been dedicated to sight conservation since 1936 when a member, who was blind, named Ruth Billow, Eta-Akron, asked the Fraternity to consider aiding the visually impaired. Since that time, the Foundation has grown to give millions of dollars to organizations that help further our shared mission and our members have given hundreds of thousands of service hours to those living with blindness or visual impairments.

Here are some defining moments in the Delta Gamma story:

  • Christmas 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi: Anna Boyd, Mary Comfort and Eva Webb spent the holidays at The Lewis School for Girls and formed the Delta Gamma Club
  • 1881 - First Delta Gamma Convention was held in Oxford, Mississippi
  • 1902 - Delta Gamma joined six other fraternal organizations in establishing the National Panhellenic Conference
  • 1913 - Delta Gamma's first Canadian chapter was installed: Alpha Gamma-Toronto
  • 1936 - Aiding the Blind was adopted as the Fraternity Service Project, it was changed to "Sight Conservation & Aiding the Blind" in 1942. In 1995, it was changed to "Service for Sight"
  • 1951 - Delta Gamma became the first women's fraternal group to establish an independent philanthropic Foundation
  • 1989 - Delta Gamma established the Fraternity Housing Corporation to assist local house corporations
  • 2012 - Delta Gamma Foundation established "Joining Forces" to give back to those service men and women who have experienced vision impairment, eye trauma or vision loss.
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