- Delta Zeta
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Delta Zeta ΔΖ
Founded October 24, 1902
Miami University, (Oxford, Ohio)Type Social Scope International Colors Green[1] Symbol Roman lamp Flower Pink Killarney Rose Jewel Diamond Publication The LAMP of Delta Zeta Philanthropy Speech and Hearing; The Painted Turtle,
The Starkey Hearing FoundationMembers 222,000+[2] collegiate Mascot Turtle Headquarters Oxford, Ohio, USA Homepage http://www.deltazeta.org 
Delta Zeta headquarters in Oxford
Delta Zeta (ΔΖ) is an international college sorority founded on October 24, 1902, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Today, Delta Zeta has 158 collegiate chapters in the United States and over 200 alumnae chapters in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. There are over 220,000 college and alumnae members, making Delta Zeta the second largest sorority nationally and largest internationally. In 2007, a New York Times article regarding the closure of the DePauw University chapter of Delta Zeta accused the organization of discrimination of girls based on looks.
Contents
Mission statement
Article II "The purpose of this sorority shall be to unite its members in the bonds of sincere and lasting friendship, to stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge, to promote the moral and social culture of its members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action; objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose of associated effort."
History
Delta Zeta Founders
The new member pin
The ΔΖ badgeDelta Zeta Sorority was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1902. Miami is dubbed the "Mother of Fraternities" because of the many prominent men's fraternities which were founded there.
In 1902, Dr. Guy Potter Benton was elected as the president of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. One of his first actions was to allow young women to enroll in the previously all-male university. That fall, six of the newly admitted female students organized the first sorority chapter.
When these six young women came together in 1902 to form a social sorority, they had a vision of lifetime sisterhood fostered by ideals that they cherished. These friends bonded quickly as they faced the challenges of starting a sorority on a male-dominated campus.
The young women consulted Dr. Benton regarding the founding of such an organization. Having been a leader in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity he was familiar with the processes of a Greek organization and became a valuable resource for the women in the establishment of the first Delta Zeta chapter.
The women were harassed for wanting to form a sorority. In one account, someone stole the constitution out of the secretary's hand but Dr. Benton pursued the offender and retrieved the constitution.
On October 24, 1902, the State of Ohio issued formal Articles of Incorporation establishing the Delta Zeta Sorority. The founding members were: Alfa Lloyd Hayes, Mary Jane Collins, Anna Louise Keen, Julia Lawrence Bishop, Mabelle May Minton, and Anne Dial Simmons.
Dr. Guy Potter Benton aided in preparation of the ritual, badge, and colors. Four new members soon joined the sisterhood, the first of whom was Elizabeth Coulter. Dr. Benton was named the Grand Patron and became the only man ever awarded the Delta Zeta badge.
The sorority joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1910. Through the years, Delta Zeta has absorbed four other sororities: Beta Phi Alpha in 1941, Phi Omega Pi in 1946, Delta Sigma Epsilon in 1956, and Theta Upsilon in 1962. Delta Zeta marked its Centennial Celebration in 2002. Chapters nationwide celebrated the event as well as a special convocation during the summer at the Delta Zeta National Convention.
Philanthropy
The sorority supports several hearing and speech impaired programs. Individual chapters support fund raising for Gallaudet University and programs such as the House Ear Institute.
In 2006 Delta Zeta partnered with The Painted Turtle and The Starkey Hearing Foundation; adding both to the national philanthropic project.[3]
One event that many Delta Zeta chapters use to raise funds for their philanthropies is the Turtle Tug. A tug-of-war contest conducted across campuses by both sororities and fraternities to raise money for The Painted Turtle and their local hearing and speech foundation. Trophies and prizes are given to the winning teams and the most spirited team.[citation needed]
The Delta Zeta Foundation
The Delta Zeta Foundation is a non-profit entity within the organization that provides various scholarships for members of the sorority as well as funding leadership, philanthropy, and education programs. There is a national philanthropic organization for active members of Delta Zeta known as the 1902 Loyalty Circle, members join by donating $19.02.
Creed
To the world,
I promise temperance and insight and courage,
To crusade for justice,
To seek the truth and defend it always:
To those whom my life may touch in slight measure,
May I give graciously
Of what is mine;
To my friends,
Understanding and appreciation;
To those closer ones,
Love that is ever steadfast;
To my mind,
Growth;
To myself,
Faith
That I may walk truly
In the light of the Flame.
–– Dorothy Mumford Williams, Alpha Zeta (Adelphi University) (1939)Media accusation of discrimination
Main article: DePauw University Delta Zeta discrimination controversyAt the end of 2006, the Delta Chapter of Delta Zeta at DePauw University became enmeshed in a controversy that would eventually make national headlines and result in the chapter's closure. The Delta Zeta national leadership was criticized after the New York Times published an article accusing the National office of moving certain members of the Delta Chapter at DePauw University to alumnae status based on their perceived attractiveness. Founded in 1909, the Delta chapter was the sorority's second oldest active chapter and its fourth oldest chapter overall (a "single letter" chapter). Despite its long history at DePauw, the Delta chapter struggled with declining membership and had acquired a negative reputation on campus. As a result, the Delta chapter members voted to request Delta Zeta Sorority to close the chapter due to falling numbers and lack of interest in recruitment. When notified of the chapter decision, Delta Zeta Sorority arranged a chapter membership review and chapter reorganization rather than close the chapter completely. Several of the members that were moved to alumnae status (and therefore required to move out of the Delta Zeta house at DePauw) argued that they were moved to alumnae status due to their perceived unattractiveness, weight, or ethnicity and contacted the media.
On March 29, 2007, it was reported in the New York Times that Delta Zeta's national office, based in Oxford, Ohio, had filed suit in U.S. Federal District Court in Indianapolis against DePauw University for expelling the sorority from campus.[15] The university said the lawsuit completely lacks merit. "From the beginning, DePauw University has acted to protect its students."[16] In November, 2007, Delta Zeta withdrew the lawsuit and DePauw agreed that the sorority will have the opportunity to compete with other sororities attempting to colonize a chapter on the campus beginning in academic year 2010/11[17][18] however Delta Zeta elected not to compete for the 2010/2011 academic year and as of May 2010 has no future plans to do so.[19]
In 1999, eight former members of the sorority's Alpha Theta Chapter at the University of Kentucky sued the national organization, claiming they had been forced to take early alumnae status based on their appearance during a similar reorganization. ΔΖ settled the lawsuit in 2001. [21]
Notable alumnae
University of Illinois houseFor a full list of notable Delta Zeta alumnae please visit here. [4]
- Mercedes Bates (Theta) – first female corporate officer of General Mills Foods. After being appointed to head the Betty Crocker division, she was often referred to as "Betty Crocker".[4]
- Sally Ride Astronaut. Youngest person to go to space at age 32
- Shelley Berkley - U.S. Representative for Nevada's 1st congressional district
- Marti Dodson (Theta) – lead singer for national recording artist, Saving Jane[5]
- Nanette Fabray (Xi Omicron) – actress, worked to bring sign language and captioning to television[6]
- Edith Head (Alumna Initiate, Mu) – Emmy Award-winning designer; 7-time Oscar winner in costume design[7]
- Florence Henderson (Alumna Initiate, Alpha Chi) – actress, (The Brady Bunch)[8]
- Shelly Hepke Moore (Xi Beta) 1989 CBS Big Brother 13.
- Maurine Brown Neuberger (Omega) – former US Senator[9]
- Melissa Ordway (Delta Delta) – actress and model[citation needed]
- Pat Priest (Alpha Chi) – actress, (The Munsters)[9]
- Ivy Baker Priest (Alpha Chi) – Former United States Treasurer[9]
- Märtha Sofia Lovisa Dagmar Thyra (Alumna Initiate, Upsilon) – Known formally as Princess Märtha of Sweden, she was both a princess of Sweden and the Crown Princess of Norway.[10]
- Marcia Wallace (Delta Nu) – TV and stage actress[11]
- Kay Yow (Zeta Lambda) – women's basketball Coach, NC State[12]
Collegiate Chapters
Delta Zeta Sorority House at Ohio University.Main article: List of Delta Zeta chaptersReferences
- ^ The 1905 Baird's Manual lists the colors as "old rose and nile green" which some chapter websites still use.[1][2] The 1991 edition says "old rose and green". However, the official national web cite lists the colors as "rose and green".[3]
- ^ "Delta Zeta History". Delta Zeta. http://www.deltazeta.org/Content/NavigationMenu/AboutDeltaZeta/History/default.htm. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
- ^ "Philanthropy and Service - Delta Zeta Sorority". Delta Zeta. http://www.deltazeta.org/pages/content/philanthropy.html. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ "Up Close and Personal: OSU's Connection to ‘Betty Crocker’". OSU Alumni Association. http://www.osualum.com/s/359/index.aspx?sid=359&gid=1&pgid=508. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ "Spring 2006 - The Lamp of Delta Zeta" (PDF). Delta Zeta. http://www.deltazeta.org/pages_blocks_v3/images/links/2006_Spring_Lamp_Final_for_Web.pdf. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ "Lamplighters host 50th Annual Flame Fantasy to Benefit the House Ear Institute". Delta Zeta. November 7, 2006. http://www.deltazeta.org/news/?d=693. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ "Delta Zeta Sorority - Edith Head". Delta Zeta. http://www.deltazeta.org/pages_blocks_v3_exp/index.cgi?Key=572&Field=key_field&catg=scholarships&Exact=Yes&this_sect=Scholarships&thisroot=/pages. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ "Florence Henderson Official Site - FAQ". Florence Henderson Official Site. http://www.flohome.com/flofaq.html. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ a b c "Famous Delta Zeta sisters". Tech Turtles of Delta Zeta. Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. http://web.archive.org/web/20070311151143/http://dzgraphics.tripod.com/fame.html. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ Brewer, Nancy, and Rochelle Mackey. A Century of Sisterhood: The Story of Delta Zeta Sorority 1902-2002. Phoenix: Heritage, Inc., AZ.
- ^ "Spring 2005 - The Lamp of Delta Zeta" (PDF). Delta Zeta. http://www.deltazeta.org/pages_blocks_v3/images/links/2005_Spring_Lamp_Website_05_09_05.pdf. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ "Kay Yow ΖΛ ’62, 1987 Delta Zeta Woman of the Year". Delta Zeta. October 8, 2007. http://www.deltazeta.org/news/?d=825. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
External links
Philanthropy
Categories:- Organizations established in 1902
- International student societies
- National Panhellenic Conference
- Miami University
- Delta Zeta
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