Chapter History
National History
Sarah Ida Shaw and Eleanor Dorcas Pond met at Boston University. There were several "ladies' societies" already established at the University; however, Shaw
wanted to have a group that was different from the others. Shaw said to
Pond one day, “Let us found a society that shall be kind alike to all
and think more of a girl’s inner self and character than of her
personal appearance.” The two women then set out to create a new national fraternity, and together they established the name, designed the emblems, created the mottos and password, and wrote the constitution and rituals.
Delta Delta
Delta was founded on November 27, 1888 at Boston University. The Alpha Chapter (the first chapter) was then established with fourteen new members joining in the fall. By the end of the year, Tri-delta had 21 members; it had expanded and grown under the leadership of the two founders and early Alpha Chapter members. For their leadership roles, Sarah Ida Shaw, Eleanor Dorcas Pond, Isabel Morgan Breed, and Florence Isabelle Stewart are considered the four Founders of Delta Delta Delta.
With 136 chapters in the United States and Canda, Tri Delta is one of the largest women's organizations in the world.
Some famous firsts:
First women's fraternity to be founded as a national organization with complete plans for governmental structure and expansion.
First to plan an alumnae system.
First to publish a book-length history: A Detailed Record of Delta Delta Delta, 1888-1907.
First women's fraternity to hold a national Leadership Conference.
First to establish a central office (now called Executive Office).
First women's fraternity to have a social networking tool online (InCircle).
Tri Delta was the first NPC group to adopt a central accounting system for its collegiate chapters.
Tri Delta pioneered chapter visitation in 1905, appointing an officer to visit all chapters.
In
2002, Tri Delta created a life member program (Life Loyal) to recognize
members who want to support the continued growth and development of the
Fraternity.
Chapter History
The Gamma Psi Chapter of Delta Delta Delta was chartered at Wofford
College in the fall of 2000. Tri-Delta collegiate members from the
surrounding area such as Furman, USC, and Clemson facilitated our rush.
In our first year we acquired 33 members. A national field consultant,
Bethany Stout, lived in Spartanburg for our first semester and oversaw
all of our new member education. The National Executive Board came as
well
and ran our initiation, which occurred on November 11, 2000. The
following night our Chartering Banquet was held at the Carolina Country
Club where we accepted our charter and heard a speech from National
President, Sarah Coons Lindsey. With the help of Tri-delta field
consultants and collegiate members, the 23 initial members of Gamma Psi
held officer elections and later established by-laws and policies that
are still used today. The Gamma Psi Chapter for Wofford College has
only continued to grow throughout the years.
We have
since been honored
for having the highest GPA on campus almost every year, both in our
pledge class and overall. We have members who are a part of Campus
Union, Wofford Ambassadors, Residence Life, Twin Towers, Cheerleading,
as
well as other service fraternities on campus. Our sisters are motivated
to get involved and many take leadership positions within the sorority.
Together we are ensuring that Delta Delta Delta is a place where we can
make both a difference and lifelong friends.