History

Delta Gamma was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi, at Lewis School by three young women who were unable to go home for the Christmas break. Together, Anna Boyd, Mary Comfort and Eva Webb created a club of "mutual helpfulness."

They chose the Greek letters Delta and Gamma because of their desire to "do good." It remains  motto today and a driving force in all we do. Delta Gamma is a sisterhood built on a commitment to making the world better through not only service, but also a deep appreciation for each individual.

What started with three women in Oxford, Mississippi, has since grown into an international Fraternity with 150 collegiate chapters and more than 215 alumnae groups. Delta Gamma's sisterhood continues to inspire women through the values that were built into our very first Constitution. Article II, written by our Founders in 1873, states:

"The objects of this Fraternity shall be to foster high ideals of friendship among women, to promote their educational and cultural interests, to create in them a true sense of social responsibility and to develop in them the best qualities of character."

While the Constitution spells out the values of a Delta Gamma woman in Article II, you can't tell the story of Delta Gamma without speaking of hope. The original pin of the Fraternity was the letter "H," which the Founders meant to stand for hope. A few years before she died, Founder Mary Comfort Leonard described the first pin:

"We went to a local jeweler and had our pin made, the letter 'H,' which stood for hope, for we hoped for great results and have not been disappointed…" 

Delta Gamma Fraternity does not discriminate in its membership selection on the basis of race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, physical disability or other characteristics protected by state, provincial or federal law. Membership is open to all individuals who identify as women. Those selected for membership in Delta Gamma must have good scholarship, be of good character and standing, have an interest in activities that will enhance the academic atmosphere at the college or university, and have a sincere desire to contribute to the work of Delta Gamma. 

All efforts are in place to guarantee those selected for membership in Delta Gamma have good scholarship, are of good character and standing, have an interest in activities which will enhance the academic atmosphere at the college, university or community, and have a sincere desire to contribute to the work of Delta Gamma. The Executive Offices will continue to work with the individual chapters to ensure that all policies and procedures are followed at all times. 

For a complete list of our policies, please visit our library.

 

A History of Virginia Tidewater Alumnae Chapter of Delta Gamma

     The Virginia Tidewater Alumnae chapter debuted as the Tidewater Hope Group in the autumn of 1976 with Cheryl Wuttke, DeltaRho, as president. The group became an association on October 19, 1981. Fifteen members signed the petition and Cheryl Wuttke Schindele served as the president. Early association activities include a Ladies’ Night Out, a holiday couples party, a pool party with local collegians, and vision screening. The association’s fundraising goals were met through garage sales and a Christmas bazaar with much of the funds being donated to the sight wing at Norfolk General Hospital. In 1984, the association voted to sponsor the Province II Collegiate Foundation Award.

     On February 1, 1990, Virginia Tidewater became an alumane chapter with Barbara Borje Douglas, Gamma Mu, as the first chapter president. That same year the new chapter won the Province II Mary Fances Grubb Award for Outstanding Alumnae Chapter at Convention.  The new chapter also played an integral part in the establishment of the Epsilon Mu chapter at the College of William and Mary and helped in the development of the Epsilon Gamma chapter at the University of Virginia.

     Throughout the 1990’s, the chapter continued to achieve on many levels. VTAC members contributed their time to Epsilon Mu and assisted with fall recruitment efforts. Fundraising activities were added, such as selling Entertainment books and Yankee Candles. During this time, the chapter also began wrapping gifts at Barnes & Noble during the holidays to raise money for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a local puppy raising program.    

     In 1992, VTAC was named the Outstanding Alumnae Chapter in Province II. At the 1996 convention, VTAC received the gold medal for Alumnae Excellence and the province award for Most Improved Foundation Awareness. Our chapter won a province award for our outstanding newsletter in 1998, and we were in the top five among alumnae chapters collecting for the Campbell’s Labels for Education Program in 1999. 

    In the new millennium, VTAC has continued its tradition of winning awards and providing opportunities to Do Good and rekindle the bonds of sisterhood.  We participated in a walk to benefit those with Cystic Fibrosis, and a beeping egg hunt for children with visual impairments. We have consistently achieved Alumnae Excellence and the Five Stars to Alumnae Success Awards. 

     We are honored to have so many outstanding women as members of VTAC! Seven current and former members of Cabinet/Council are among our ranks, as well as some national award winners:

• Becky Nantz King serves as Council Appointed Coordinator for Christopher Newport University's Eta Tau chapter.
• Patricia Boyce Halstead served as Province Collegiate Chairman.
• Fran Oliveri Spence served as Province Alumnae Chairman and as VP: Alumnae on Council.
• Mary Hicks Schery served as a Province Alumnae Chairman and as a member of Cabinet as Fraternity Housing Corporation Director-at-Large. 
• Nikki Kozares Steckroth served as Province Collegiate Chairman and Regional Housing Director.
• Robin Evans Magrisi has served as a Regional Alumnae Programming and Recruitment Specialist.
• Tina DeBaun Tate has served on the House Corporation Board at William and Mary. 
• Karen Sandvig Knott received the Oxford Award in 2000 for excellence in community service. 
• Fran Oliveri Spence and Mary Hicks Schery are recipients of the Cable Award, awarded to members who have demonstrated unusual loyalty and devotion to Delta Gamma.   

    In 2014, the Williamsburg/Peninsula Alumnae chapter merged with VTAC.  We welcome the ladies of this region and look forward to the many opportunities to fulfill Delta Gamma's mission of Doing Good and expand our club of mutual friendship.

    Virginia Tidewater continues to be a vibrant, dynamic alumnae chapter today. Our social calendar is full with various activities for Delta Gammas and their friends. We continue to raise funds for Foundation and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. With 500+ alumnae in our area, we have members representing more than 80 different collegiate chapters --we are certain that there is a place for you in the Virginia Tidewater Alumnae Chapter!