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.

 

Our Fort Worth Alumnae Group History...

On October 4, 1937 eight Delta Gammas living in Fort Worth found each other and decided to form "The Fort Worth Delta Gamma Association".  The name was so much larger than their tiny group that they were most anxious to add to their numbers. In the seven years after they were organized 36 women who wore the anchor of DG were affiliated with their group. Those who met at that first luncheon on October 4 were:

Jeanne Stevenson Senevey (Mrs. Felix), Mu

Francis Ledford Yates (Mrs. L.B.), Mu

Ruth Dahl Chisholm (Mrs. Roy D.), Alpha Theta

Marion Waugh Eschenbrenner (Mrs. John), Alpha Epsilon

Mary Louise Wendland Salmon (Mrs. J.R.), Alpha Upsilon

Evelyn Melton Smith (Mrs. R.M.), Alpha Upsilon

Lois Johnston, Alpha Iota

Lucille Coffey Pritchett ( Mrs. F. Ray), Alpha Iota

Although the group was small no more enthusiastic DGs could be found anywhere. They immediately set about raising funds to help the national project for the blind thru the help of Marion Eschenbrenner's husband who was an Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat Specialist they were able to establish a small fund for the Prevention and Cure of Blindness. During the first years this fund was maintained and it was through the efforts of Ludi Mae Sensabaugh Goode (Mrs. John V.), Alpha Upsilon that they were able to carry on that project. Since that time the fund was raised mainly through their "Piggy Bank".

Their nearest collegiate chapter was Alpha Upsilon at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and relations with that group were most pleasant and inspiring. During the first summer a large group from the SMU active chapter came to Fort Worth to help them rush. It was that first year that DG was about to colonize at the State University in Austin and this group felt that the girls they got from Fort Worth must be especially strong and outstanding. Because of the fact that DG had only one chapter in Texas the small group of alumnae in Fort Worth had a most difficult time rushing against old established fraternities at "State". However they were gratified that year to have four very worthwhile girls pledge DG at State.

...and now nearly 80 years later we are still bound in honor by the same Fort Worth Delta Gamma sisterhood!