DG History
Delta Gamma was founded, on Christmas day, 1873, by three women of the Lewis School in Oxford, Mississippi: Mary Comfort Leonard, Eva Webb Dodd and Anna Boyd Ellington. At first, the fraternity was confined to the south, but with the help of George Banta, Delta Gamma began to flourish throughout the nation.
At the dawn of the revolution for women’s rights, recognition for the fraternity did not come easily. Many schools refused to identify various chapters as pertinent groups. Yet, the women’s commitment to service, as well as their character and talent was undeniable. In 1881, the first Delta Gamma Convention took place, and correspondence between different chapters strengthened.
By the late 1800’s chapters owned houses; DG women were riding bicycles, and members were enrolled in medical and law school. One must keep in mind, the societal segregation placed on women. Yet, Delta Gamma and its first members proved that segregation would only make the bond between women stronger. By 1887, Delta Gamma chapters appeared from coast to coast. The group survived the Great Depression, World War I, World War II, and other ills of society. The group survived to be what it is today: one of the most prevalent female fraternities in the nation.
Delta Gammas not only excel academically at their respective universities, but they also share the memories of becoming a responsible woman in society. A Delta Gamma is responsible for herself, her family, her school, and her community. Delta Gamma sisters share a bond that cannot be broken by society, history, or any other outside forces.
