History and Symbols

          "A perpetual bond of friendship..."          

                         

 

          Gamma Eta History | National History

            Gamma Eta's History at the University of Richmond

Not since the mass induction of ten chapters at Emory University in 1961 had there been such a colonization effort like the one at the University of Richmond.  After a student poll revealed high interest in sororities, a committee of students, faculty, and alumnae selected and installed 6 nationally recognized sororities from May 1 through May 4, 1986.  Delta Delta Delta was the first of these chapters.

 

The Gamma Eta chapter was founded on May 1, 1986, and colonized in February 1987 with Membership Director Lois Depuy Boston and Collegiate Vice President Normita Ellis Error heading the efforts of a team including district presidents, field representatives, Virginia alumnae, and collegians from Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and William and Mary.


The initiation of 89 women on February 14, 1987 took place in the Hyatt Richmond Hotel in Brookfield (the 90th member missed initiation while performing as Cherry Blossom Queen in Washington, D.C.!) The installation banquet was Friday, May 1, 1987 and celebrates its 21st anniversary this year!
 

 

 

 

 

 


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National History


 

Even though there were already three women's groups established at Boston University in 1888, Sarah Ida Shaw recognized a need for a new group which would be different from the others.  She said to her friend, Eleanor Dorcas Pond, "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."

 

With this,  the two women began the work of creating a new national fraternity. Later Sarah wrote, "...The two enthusiastic friends were unaware of the fact that there was something stupendous about the task they had set hands, heads and hearts to accomplish. They were working for a principle, and it never occurred to them that there could be such a thing as failure. Earnestness of purpose, energy and enthusiasm had brought them both success in college and why should not these same qualities bring assurance of good fortune to the new venture."

 

 

Sarah Ida Shaw
 
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Some early sisters

 

The two friends finalized their commitment to the fraternity and to one another under a bright new moon and three brilliant stars, thus establishing one of the sorority's most precious emblems.

 

The 18 women of the Alpha Chapter were initiated on January 15, 1889.

 

Symbols

Pearl The pearl was chosen to symbolize the pledge member because it is the one jewel that grows, developing from a tiny nucleus into a thing of value and beauty.
Pansy The pansy is symbolic of our alumnae and of the third step in the lifetime development of Delta Delta Delta members.
Pansy To the ancient Greeks, the dolphin was a good omen symbolizing rebirth, friendship, and leadership. In Tri Delta the dolphin is symbolic of "clear skies and smooth sailing" and has a special significance for the Fraternity's elected officers.
Pansy The pine was chosen to represent the collegiate member.
Pansy Tri Delta's patron Greek god is Poseidon, God of the Sea. As one of the three rulers of the universe, he is empowered by his trident.

Tri Delta Links

National Tri Delta website
 St. Jude's Children's Hospital
 Cook Children's Hospital
 National Panhellenic Conference

 

 

Tri Delta Firsts:

Tri Delta was the first women's fraternity to be founded as a national organization with complete plans for governmental structure and expansion.

Tri Delta was the first to plan and perfect an alumnae system.

Tri Delta was one of the seven organizations founding the National Panhellenic School, now called National Panhellenic Conference.

Tri Delta pioneered in chapter visiting by appointing in 1905 an officer to visit all chapters.

Tri Delta was the first to publish a book-length history:  A Detailed Record of Delta Delta Delta, 1888-1907.

Tri Delta was the first women's fraternity to hold a national Leadership Conference.

Tri Delta was the first to establish a central office (now called Executive Office).

Tri Delta led NPC organizations in the number of members listed in the first edition of Who's Who of American Women, and many other members have been added in subsequent editions

Tri Delta was the first NPC group to adopt a central accounting system for its collegiate chapters.

The Open Moto:

 (As'-fah-los Ag-a-po'-men Al-lay'las)

"Let us steadfastly love one another"