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Delta Delta Delta

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Delta Delta Delta
ΔΔΔ
File:TriDeltaCrest.jpg
Founded (1888-11-27) November 27, 1888 (age 136)
Boston University, (Boston, Massachusetts)
TypeSocial
ScopeInternational
MottoLet us steadfastly love one another
ColorsSilver, Gold, and Cerulean blue
SymbolPansy, Pearl and Pine
PublicationThe Trident
PhilanthropyChildren's Cancer Research; Partners with St. Jude Children's Hospital
Members186,000+ active
Headquarters2331 Brookhollow Plaza Drive
Arlington, Texas
USA
Websitehttp://www.deltadeltadelta.org

Delta Delta Delta (ΔΔΔ), also known as Tri Delta, is an international collegiate women's fraternity founded on November 27, 1888. With 136 chapters in the United States and Canada it is one of the largest women's organizations in the world.

History

Delta Delta Delta was founded by Sarah Ida Shaw, Eleanor Dorcas Pond, Florence Isabelle Stewart and Isabel Morgan Breed at Boston University.

Three women's groups were already represented at Boston University in 1888 (Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Phi). However, Sarah Ida Shaw saw a need for another group which would be different from the others. She enlisted the help of Eleanor Dorcas Pond and told her: "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 young 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."

File:Tridelta badge.jpg
Member Badge

Shaw and Pond not only founded a fraternity, but also wrote the rituals and constitution as well as designing the emblems. The choosing of the name was a mutual decision. Eleanor suggested a triple letter while Sarah chose the actual letter and developed Greek mottos and passwords. The inspiration for these came from a variety of sources such as Egyptian Lore, Hindu mysticism, Greek and astronomy, which reflected the wide and various interests of Sarah Ida Shaw.

The Founders of ΔΔΔ:

Sarah Ida Shaw Eleanor Dorcas Pond
Florence Isabelle Stewart Isabel Morgan Breed

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.
File:Tridelta flag.jpg
The Flag
  • 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.

Traditions and Legacy

  • Tri Delta's colors are silver, gold and cerulean blue. Green is also significant for Tri Delta as it represents the union of the three colors.
  • Each newly inducted member receives a hand made gold pin with three deltas painted on a crescent moon. Above this are three stars; each holds a small pearl inside.
  • Tri Delta began regular publication of its quarterly magazine earlier in its existence than any other women's fraternity. The Trident has been published continuously since 1891.

Philanthropy

File:Tridelta new member pin.jpg
New Member Pin

In the early 1970s, a national survey established that Tri Delta chapters were interested in "children", "hospitals" and "cancer". At the 1974 Tri Delta Convention, it was decided to combine the 3 and support Children's Cancer Charities as the designated Philanthropy.

In July 2006, Tri Delta made a commitment to support St. Jude through a "10 in 10" campaign. This campaign is focused on raising $10 million dollars in 10 years, to build a new floor that will focus on patient treatment and brain tumor research. As of the fraternity's 2008 biennial convention, they had reach $5.6 million of their $10 million dollar goal.

Many chapters would also observe "Sleighbell Day" on the first Tuesday of December. Sleighbell Day followed in the tradition of the Sleighbell Luncheon, which was first held in the 1940's by 13 Southern California chapters to benefit a doctor researching blood diseases at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

The month of September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

In 1999, Tri Delta joined with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to form a national partnership. With this arrangement St. Jude (through the fundraising branch, ALSAC) assists Tri Delta chapters to plan philanthropy events that will directly benefit the children and subsidize research costs at St. Jude.

In 2002, Tri Deltas across the nation committed to raising $1 million dollars in four years to build a Teen Room at the Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2005 Tri Delta fulfilled the million dollar commitment.


Tri Deltas are committed to helping St. Jude in every way possible. To date, Tri Delta has raised $6.8 million for St. Jude. The month of March has now also been designated as St. Jude / Tri Delta month.

In addition to the national partnership, Tri Delta also continues to raise money annually to support various local Children's Cancer Charities, including the long-running Sleighbell Luncheon.

Notable alumnae

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "Distinguished Deltas Directory". Delta Delta Delta. Retrieved 2007-04-22.
  2. ^ 1972 SMU Rotunda, p. 262
  3. ^ 1973 SMU Rotunda, p. 216
  4. ^ 1974 SMU Rotunda, p. 87
  5. ^ "Melissa Witek - About Me". Melissa Witek Online. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
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