Alpha Gamma Delta (ΑΓΔ)
Founded	May 30, 1904 (1904-05-30) (105 years ago) Syracuse University, (Syracuse, New York)
Type	Social
Scope	International
Motto	Inspire the Woman. Impact the World.
Colors	Red, Buff, and Green
Flower	Red and Buff Roses with asparagus ferns
Jewel	Pearl
Philanthropy	The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation
Chapters	182
Members	154,000+ collegiate
Headquarters	8701 Founders Road Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Homepage	http://www.alphagammadelta.org/

Alpha Gamma Delta (ΑΓΔ) is an international women's fraternity founded in 1904 at Syracuse University. The Fraternity promotes academic excellence, philanthropic giving, ongoing leadership and personal development, and a spirit of loving sisterhood.^{[citation needed]} Also known as "Alpha Gam" and "AGD", Alpha Gamma Delta's current membership exceeds 150,000. There are currently 181 collegiate chapters, and over 250 alumnae clubs. The oldest active collegiate chapter is the Delta Chapter at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus. Alpha Gamma Delta is a member of the Syracuse Triad along with Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Phi.

Contents 1 History 2 Philanthropy 3 Mission 4 The Alpha Gamma Delta Purpose 5 Notable alumnae 6 Chapters 7 References 8 External links

[edit] History

Alpha Gamma Delta was officially founded on May 30, 1904 at the home of Dr. Wellesley Perry Coddington, a professor at Syracuse University who was instrumental in the early development of Alpha Gamma Delta. Each of the Fraternity's 11 founders were progressive women who selflessly contributed to the foundation and growth of Alpha Gamma Delta.The eleven female students; Marguerite Shepard, Estelle Shepard Beswick, Georgia Alberta Dickover, Jennie Titus Smith Morris, Ethel Evelyn Brown Distin, Grace Mosher Harter, Edith MacConnel Hickok, Mary Louise Snider, Georgia Otis Chipman, Emily Helen Butterfield and Flora Knight Mayer.

The organization's official designation as a "fraternity" rather than a "sorority" (often seen in the names of women's groups) derives from an early advisor, who noted that soror is a Latin word with no connection to the Greek traditions cited by many collegiate social groups like Alpha Gamma Delta.^[1] Many other Greek-letter organizations for women likewise refer to themselves as fraternities, though in the collective sense are generally called "sororities". The intent behind Alpha Gamma Delta's founding differed from other groups because it was founded to become a National Women's Fraternity rather than a local group or literary society.

Alpha Gamma Delta's flowers are red and buff roses, with green asparagus plumosa fern. The jewel is the pearl. The colors are red, buff, and green. The mascot is a squirrel.

[edit] Philanthropy

The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation was created in 1962 ensuring that the Fraternity's mission would live on into Alpha Gamma Delta's second century, allowing women of all ages to make positive differences on their campus and in their communities - leaving a legacy for generations of women to follow. The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation assists members through scholarship grants, wellness programs, leadership training and workshops. Members in emergency financial need are also aided through the support of the Foundation.

Through the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, large grants are made annually to organizations and individuals for diabetes research, treatment and education. Diabetes research was chosen as diabetes "continues to affect our members and their friends, families and acquaintances."^[2]

[edit] Mission

Alpha Gamma Delta is an international fraternity for women that exists to provide opportunities for personal development through the spirit of sisterhood:^[3]

• To support lifelong learning as a means to gain understanding and wisdom.
• To promote the value of fraternal membership and commitment to higher education.
• To help prepare members to contribute to the world's work.
• To advocate lifetime involvement in Alpha Gamma Delta.

Its vision is "Inspire the Woman. Impact the World."^[3]

[edit] The Alpha Gamma Delta Purpose

To gain understanding that wisdom may be vouchsafed to me.
To develop and prize health and vigor of body.
To cultivate acquaintance with many whom I meet.
To cherish friendship with but a chosen few and to study the perfecting of those friendships.
To welcome the opportunity of contributing to the world's work in the community where I am placed because of the joy of service thereby bestowed and the talent of leadership multiplied.
To honor my home, my country, my religious faith.
To hold truth inviolable, sincerity essential, kindness invaluable.
To covet beauty in environment, manner, word, and thought.
To possess high ideals and to attain somewhat unto them.
This shall be my purpose that those who know me may esteem Alpha Gamma Delta for her attainments, revere her for her purposes, and love her for her Womanhood.

[edit] Notable alumnae

• Fran Allison (Pi) - radio and TV personality; (Kukla, Fran and Ollie)^[4]
• Amber Brkich (Alpha Epsilon) - actress; (Survivor: All-Stars, Survivor: The Australian Outback, The Amazing Race)^[4]
• Rita Coolidge (Gamma Beta) - singer^[4]
• Donna Fargo (Gamma Eta) - singer^[4]
• Gloria Loring (Delta Alpha) - singer, songwriter, author, and actress; (Days of our Lives)^[4]
• Karen McCullah Lutz (Gamma Mu) - screenwriter, author; (10 Things I Hate About You,Legally Blonde,She's the Man, The House Bunny)^[5]
• Dorothy Provine (Iota) - actress; (The Alaskans)^[4]
• Judy Baar Topinka (Lambda) - first female state treasurer in Illinois^[4]
• Barbara Jo Walker (Gamma Zeta) - Miss America, 1947^[4]
• Blanche Devereaux (television character from the series The Golden Girls)^[6]
• Lorraine Jensen Davis (Epsilon Gamma) (former editor of Vogue)^[7]
• Meredith Phillips (Phi) (contestant on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette)^[8]

[edit] Chapters

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Alpha Gamma Delta's official website
• Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation official website

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