Delta Delta Delta

Delta Delta Delta
ΔΔΔ
Founded November 27, 1888
Boston University, (Boston, Massachusetts)
Type Social
Scope International
Motto Let us steadfastly
love one another
Colors

     Silver      Gold

     Cerulean Blue
Symbol ΔΔΔ
Flower Pansy
Tree Pine
Jewel Pearl
Mascot Dolphin
Patron Greek divinity Poseidon
Publication The Trident
Philanthropy Children's Cancer Research, partnered with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Chapters 139
Members 200,000+ collegiate
Headquarters 2331 Brookhollow Plaza Drive
Arlington, Texas, U.S.
Homepage http://www.tridelta.org

Delta Delta Delta (ΔΔΔ), also known as Tri Delta (or "Tri-Delt"), is an international sorority founded on November 27, 1888 at Boston University. With over 200,000 initiates, Tri Delta is one of the world's largest National Panhellenic Conference sororities.

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). Shaw 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."

Shaw and Pond wrote the rituals and constitution and designed the emblems. Choosing the name was a mutual decision. Pond suggested a triple letter while Shaw chose the actual letter and developed Greek mottos and passwords. Inspiration came from Egyptian Lore, Hindu mysticism, Greek and astronomy, reflecting Shaw's wide and various interests.

The Founders of ΔΔΔ:[1]

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

Tri Delta firsts

Tri Delta was the first sorority to:

Symbols, emblems, and insignia

Symbols:[2]

Colors: The colors of Tri Delta are silver, gold and cerulean blue. Green is also a significant color, symbolizing the union of the three colors.

Symbols: Using the Greek alphabet the name Delta Delta Delta is depicted above. The Greek letter Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and is commonly seen as an isosceles triangle.

Jewel: The pearl is the jewel of Tri Delta. The one jewel that grows, it symbolizes the new member, developing from a tiny grain of sand into a thing of great value and beauty.

Tree: The pine tree is a symbol of Tri Delta's collegiate members. As a tree able to grow in very challenging conditions, it represents the collegiate members ability to thrive in hard times and adversity.

Flower: The pansy is Tri Delta's flower. It is a symbol of alumnae membership and the third and final step in the lifetime development of Delta Delta Delta's members.

Mascot: The dolphin is recognized as an additional symbol of importance as it was considered to be a good omen by the ancient Greeks. It symbolizes rebirth, friendship and leadership.

Emblems:[3]

The coat of arms consists of a shield quartered, first and fourth quarters in blue on each of which is a silver trident, second and third gold on each of which is a green pine tree. Above the shield, the crest, consisting of a torse with six folds alternating gold and blue, from which rises a white, gold and blue pansy. Below the shield the open motto, "Let us steadfastly love one another," is inscribed in Greek on a scroll.

Official insignia:[4]

New member pin The new member pin is worn prior to initiation. It is a green and silver enamel badge described in the 1888 constitution as an “inverted Delta, surrounded by three Deltas.”

The Trident The trident symbolizes the first degree of initiation and is returned prior to initiation into the Stars and Crescent degree. A gold trident may be worn as a badge guard.

The Stars and Crescent Three golden stars, crown set with pearls, within a gold crescent of three hundred degree bearing three deltas in black enamel is the official badge of the Fraternity. Tri Delta initiates receive a Stars and Crescent Badge with her initials, the Greek letters of her chapter, and her chapter Initiation number engraved on the back. The badge belongs to Tri Delta and is "lent" to each member during her lifetime or as long as she remains a member.

Philanthropy

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 the three were combined to support children's cancer charities as the designated philanthropy.

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

In 1999, Tri Delta partnered with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude (through the fundraising branch, ALSAC) assists Tri Delta chapters in planning philanthropy events that benefit the children and subsidize research costs at St. Jude. Many chapters coordinate fundraising activities such as pancake breakfasts and football tailgates on their campuses each year. Since 1999, Tri Delta has raised more than $30 million for St. Jude.[5]

In 2002, Tri Deltas committed to raising $1 million to build a Teen Room at the St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Tri Delta fulfilled the commitment in 2005.

In July 2006, Tri Delta committed to raise $10 million in 10 years to build a new patient treatment floor focusing on brain tumor research at St. Jude. Tri Delta instead raised $10.4 million in 4 years.

In 2010 a new philanthropic goal was announced to raise $15 million in 5 years.[6] During the 2012–2013 academic school year, Tri Delta raised $5.6 million for a total of $14.2 million toward their "$15 million in 5 years" pledge to benefit St. Jude.

On February 1, 2014, it was announced that Tri Delta surpassed the $15 million goal in just 3.5 years.[7] On July 4, 2014, Tri Delta announced a new philanthropic goal to raise $60 million over 10 years, the largest single commitment by a partner of St. Jude in the history of the hospital. Their pledge funded the Tri Delta Place, a housing facility for families of hospital patients. Tri Delta was also named the St. Jude partner of the year for 2014, making Tri Delta the first non-corporation to receive this honor. Tri Delta has raised more money than any sorority or fraternity in the world and accounts for more than 25% of philanthropic dollars raised by all Greeks combined.

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

Every year, chapters host many events to help raise money. Greeks at Bat is a common spring philanthropy event. Greeks at Bat is a baseball competition between all of the participating fraternities on campus. Tri Delta members get assigned a team and coach them through a weekend of baseball. Another annual event is Dhop. Dhop is a pancake breakfast hosted by the Tri Delta chapter. Tri Delta members help prepare and serve pancakes to hundreds of college students. All of the money earned goes to St. Jude.

During the holiday season, Tri Delta members also send out letters to family and friends asking for donations for St. Jude. This year, the University of Illinois (Delta Pi Chapter) raised $62,000 with these two events plus donations.

The Trident

The Trident is Tri Delta's award-winning publication, published continuously since 1891. The Trident's purpose is to bring to life shared values and reflect on the Tri Delta experience. The Trident is sent to member's homes monthly, while they are still in college. The publication includes news about current members and alumni.

Delta Shop

Delta Shop is a new addition to the sorority website that sells Tri Delta apparel, accessories, jewelry, stationary and other gifts. All products can be purchased online.

Chapter Positions

Each Tri Delta chapter slates members to lead the chapter.

Administration Team - This team consists of the house manager, secretary and VP Administration President - In charge of the whole house VP Administration - In charge of monthly schedule and assists President VP Chapter Development - Incorporates ritual into Tri Delta's everyday life VP of Finance - In charge of chapter budgets and member invoices New Member Educator - Works with new members VP Academics - In charge of member academics VP Public Relations - Represents and promotes the chapter and events Treasurer - Assists with Finance Team VP of Membership - In charge of recruitment House Manager - Works with the chapter, and local and national house corporations to maintain a safe and comfortable living environment Secretary - Tracks chapter attendance and house points VP Member Development - In charge of sisterhood events Licensing Chair - Designs apparel for the chapter and all chapter events Alumnae Relations - Keep in touch with Tri Delta Alumni Chapter Correspondent - Oversee internal and external chapter outreach and prepares chapter agenda for meetings Reference Chair - Gather references for recruitment Internal Philanthropy Chair - In charge of chapter's philanthropy events and raising money for St. Jude External Philanthropy Chair - Promotes other sorority/fraternity chapter events on campus Social Chair - In charge of planning chapter events

Notable members

Beauty pageant contestants

Business and education

Entertainment media

News media

Literature

Politics and public service

Sports

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Tridelta.org
  2. ↑ https://www.tridelta.org/AboutUs/Symbols,%20Emblems%20and%20Insignia/AboutUs/symbols
  3. ↑ "Emblems". Tri Delta. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  4. ↑ "Insignia". Tri Delta. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  5. ↑ "St. Jude Fundraising Update". Delta Delta Delta. January 11, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  6. ↑ "$15 Million in 5 years". Delta Delta Delta. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  7. ↑ "$15 Million Raised for St. Jude in 3.5 Years". Tri Delta. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 8.21 8.22 8.23 8.24 8.25 8.26 8.27 8.28 8.29 8.30 8.31 8.32 "Distinguished Deltas". Delta Delta Delta. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  9. ↑ "The Miss Wyoming Pageant".
  10. ↑ "Winners of Miss Virginia USA".
  11. ↑ "Melissa Witek -About Me". Melissa Witek Online. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
  12. ↑ Facebook.com/Betsy-Boze
  13. ↑ programme.pdf
  14. ↑ "The Soap Opera Digest Awards: 1989". Soap Opera Digest. soapoperadigest.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Duke University’s Tri Delta Sorority Makes Your New Favorite TERRIBLE Recruitment Video". Brobible. brobible.com. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Distinguished Deltas". Tri Delta. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  17. ↑ Didion, Joan. "The White Album". New York Noonday Press, 1994, p. 207.
  18. ↑ http://www.sltrib.com. "Olympics: U.S. skier Caldwell surprises, Randall disappoints | The Salt Lake Tribune". Sltrib.com. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  19. ↑ "Meryl DAVIS / Charlie WHITE: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 10, 2014.
  20. ↑ http://www.usawaterpolo.org/Home.aspx
  21. ↑ "Abby Johnston". USA Diving. 1989-11-16. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  22. ↑ "USA Synchronized Swimming". Usasynchro.org. Retrieved 2014-08-20.

External links