Delta Gamma offers to women
of all ages a rich heritage based on principles of personal integrity,
personal responsibility and intellectual honesty. Its primary
purpose is to foster high ideals of friendship, promote educational
and cultural interests, create a true sense of social responsibility,
and develop the finest qualities of character.
History
Delta Gamma was founded in
1873 in Oxford, Mississippi, at the Lewis School for Girls by
Anna Boyd Ellington, Mary Comfort Leonard and Eva Webb Dodd. Delta
Gamma's early growth confined to women's colleges in the South.
The first Convention was held
in Oxford, Mississippi in 1881. The second Convention was held
in 1883 in Akron, Ohio. At the convention the ANCHORA was voted
into existence and added the color bronze to pink and blue. At
Convention in 1885, the Cream Rose was designated as the Fraternity
flower. Within a few years, Delta Gamma was established in the
North and then later expanded 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."
Purpose
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 our lives.
Delta Gamma's
purpose is accomplished though 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
offers to women of all ages a rich heritage based on principles
of personal integrity, personal responsibility and intellectual
honesty. Its primary purpose is to foster high ideals of friendship,
promote educational and cultural interests, create a true sense
of social responsibility, and develop the finest qualities of
character.
The
Anchor
In the world
of symbols, the anchor, the age-old symbol of hope, has occupied
a position of strength and prestige. It was the mark of hope for
the early Christians, and it is embroidered on navy uniforms around
the world. It represents not only hope but also the useful act
of holding fast.
Earliest Delta
Gammas wore the gold letter "H" to stand for hope and
then in 1877 adopted the anchor, the symbol of hope. They wore
large, often multi-jeweled anchors on their collars. Standardization
of a smaller badge was adopted in 1905, along with the practice
of wearing one's pin over the heart. In the 1940s alumnae were
beginning to add their badges to gold charm bracelets which led
to a reevaluation of the where-it-could-be-worn policy. In 1972
it was agreed that the badge could be worn anywhere a pin would
be suitably placed.
Through the years,
many campuses were golden galaxies of a variety of fraternity
symbols, worn proudly by each group. For example, a sorority pin
might be chained to a fraternity pin, a symbol of office, chapter
letter or even to the badge of an honorary. All badges were a
means of identity. Then, again later years came the T-shirt and
sweatshirt, loudly proclaiming those same identities, and badges
all but disappeared.
The Delta Gamma
anchor is a beautiful design, a badge to be worn with pride. Members
who used to travel by train would scan the coach to find another
Delta Gamma anchor. Friendships sprouted and grew from "anchor
encounters."
The golden anchor
of Delta Gamma should be worn with pride. It makes a statement
not only in its beauty but also in its symbolism -- and it could
be the beginning of an adventure for anyone.
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