To refer to Delta Zeta's founding as a single, historic event, is to deny the effects of the Founders' work after their initial steps and to deny the work of their followers who have developed the original concepts day after day, and year after year. The founding of an organization is an on-going activity; it perpetuates what was once begun; it recreates it at every turn -- otherwise it withers and dies. (Source: The Delta Zeta Way)
Founding: October 20, 1902 - Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.
Alpha Epsilon Charter: October 22, 1922 and reinstalled in 1984.
Colors: Old Rose and Vieux Green
Flower: The Killarney Rose
Magazine: The Lamp of Delta Zeta
Jewel: The Diamond 
Mascot: The Turtle 
Symbol: The Lamp 
Our Badges: Pledge Pin and Member Badge
Our Creed:
To the World
I Promise Temperance, 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 M. Williams, AZ Chapter
Purpose: To build up the character and cultivate the truest and deepest friendship among its members. To stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge and the attainment of a high standard of morality; to inculcate elevated sentiments and noble principles and to afford each other every possible assistance and to incite all the attainment of a memorable fame (Source: The Articles of Incorporation; Delta Zeta Sorority)
National Philanthropy: Speech and Hearing.
Delta Zeta Sorority was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio
in 1902. Julia Bishop, Anne Simmons, Mary Collins, Anna Keen, Mabelle
Minton, and Alfa Lloyd were among the first women allowed to enroll at
Miami as full-time students. Dr. Guy Potter Benton, the new president
of Miami, was instrumental in allowing women to enroll.
Julia Bishop and Anne Simmons roomed together, as did Mary Collins and Anna Keen. Alfa Lloyd lived in Oxford, and Mabelle Minton lived on a farm just twenty miles away. All six were native daughters of Ohio.
Delta Zeta was "born" on October 24, 1902 (Alfa's birthday) as that is the date the Articles of Incorporation were signed. Lillian Minton and Bess Coulter were the first pledges. On February 8, 1903 Bess Coulter and Noble Miller were initiated at the Minton's home. The planned initiation was, apparently, changed at the last minute when a mysterious group of men broke into their rooms and stole the coffin! (Source: Delta Zeta Sorority 1902-1982 )
Delta Zeta Today Delta Zeta is among the largest international sorority for women. Speech and the Hearing Impaired are the International Philanthropies of Delta Zeta, with years of support for Gallaudet University, the National University for the Deaf in Washington D.C.
For more information:
Delta Zeta Sorority National Headquarters
202 E. Church Street
Oxford, OH 45056
1-800-6-ALUMNA or
1-513-523-7597 or
e-mail: DZS@DZSHQ.COM
Are you a Delta Zeta? Is your information updated with National? If not, you can update your information on the Delta Zeta website, www.deltazeta.org.