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Time Travel at its Finest

Staige Davis Hodges, Beta Theta-Duke

Researching stories and gathering images for the sesquicentennial pictorial history, Celebrating 150 Years of Delta Gamma, was fascinating and exhilarating. Little did my co-chair, Maureen McCulloh Hollmeyer, Gamma Rho-Wittenberg, or I know what we would discover. We didn’t even know what we were missing.

Beautiful, inspiring discoveries included the number of highly educated, motivated members. Many were pioneers in their fields, trailblazers who pursued higher levels of education as doctors, scientists or professors. Helen (Ella) Florence Tyler Whiteley, Phi-Colorado, pictured right, was the first female to earn a degree at the University of Colorado, the only woman out of a class of six. She and her sister, Lillian Tyler Ward, helped found Phi chapter, and both were initiated in 1886. Their father, Clinton Tyler, helped establish the university. Fellow Phi sister Mary Rippon was the first female professor at the University of Colorado, and one of the first women to serve as a university professor in the United States.

 One of the most fun parts of the book journey – and it was a journey – was meeting a whole cast of characters, and bringing their stories to life. When a committee member would unearth (no pun intended) a sister, story or photo (those were the most magical) from one of our earliest chapters, we found ourselves plunged back suddenly to the 1870s and 1880s. We became sorority time travelers. Saying it out loud sounds admittedly odd, but that is exactly what our committee became.

One of the most memorable moments was getting an email, and then a text, and quite possibly a phone call (it’s all a bit of a blur, as it happened so fast), from committee member Bunny Wilson Shackelford, Delta Psi-Baylor, when she hit the motherlode. Bunny loved to focus on our earliest chapters, most of which have little to no information. Some chapter rosters only had a handful of members before the chapter closed. Bunny was immersed in Upsilon II-St. Lawrence, active from 1884-1887. There were 12 initiates. We had nothing for the chapter more than an old photograph of the campus in 1887.

                                                     

Bunny contacted the St. Lawrence University archivist and asked about information on our Delta Gamma chapter from the 1880s. He was perplexed, thinking about our Gamma Omega chapter at St. Lawrence from the 1960s, and replied, “There was not a Delta Gamma chapter here in the 1880s.” Without skipping a beat, Bunny then shared the names of our 12 members gleefully with him. He became a man on a mission. His interns began going through archival boxes. And more boxes. They found ten. Almost the entire roster.

It was imperative we provide Upsilon II with a composite. Merging all the old cabinet card photos into one image gave Upsilon II its first and only composite – 135 years late. In some of their portraits, you can see large, jeweled badges, one with an ornate Upsilon chapter guard pin. We were mesmerized, and so grateful to the St. Lawrence archivist.

                                                                       


If I had a superpower, it would definitely be time travel.


Interested in learning more about Delta Gamma's history? Check out our sesquicentennial anniversary pictorial history book, Celebrating 150 Years of Delta Gamma, 1873-2023. This 96-page limited edition pays homage to our history, including historical vignettes and images, many of which have never been seen before, curated into a masterful, comprehensive treasure trove. Purchase yours here! 

                             

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Long Live the Letter H

By Staige Davis Hodges, Beta Theta-Duke

Delta Gamma has a Fraternity seal. An official seal. An embossed-paper-kind-of-seal, not the kind with flippers. Our seal has gone through numerous iterations during significant events or times in our history, yet many were incorrect due to various turns of events and mistakes which could be seen as a comedy of errors worthy of William Shakespeare himself. From 1877 until 2022, there are seven variations on the seal, many with mistaken founding dates or lettering. The seal appears on chapter charters and other official documents of the Fraternity, so it is important to get our insignia accurate.

To preface this, let it be known that the official Delta Gamma seal created for the Sesquicentennial is indeed correct, and for that we are mighty proud and grateful!

The first Delta Gamma seal appears on the 1877 Constitution and is impressed on the earliest chapter charters. The Greek letter Ψ at the base of the laurel wreath is a nod to Lewis School. The meaning of the letters “C a P” has been lost to time.

Council approved and saw to the development of the seal by a Chicago firm of the design submitted by a Xi-Michigan chapter committee appointed at the 1899 Convention. We have Xi members Katharine Hine and Anna Barnard to thank for the design, which Clara Mulliken, Kappa-Nebraska, presented at the 1903 Convention for official recognition. She moved that the description of the seal be placed in the Fraternity Constitution, which carried, but this was not done until 1962. Interestingly, the 1905 Convention treasurer’s report lists $10.50 as the cost of the seal, and $3.00 for the hand press. For all of you economic inflation types, that is approximately $345/$99 today! 

The 1904 version of the seal noted the founding date as 1872, which was the first in the series of over a century of errors. The outer Greek words of the seal read “The Great Seal of Delta Gamma.” The inner Greek words of the seal read “Character and Unity.” Keep your eyes on the letters H in the inner circle. 

Sometime in the mid-1900s, the “H” letters in the inner circle were misread as “M” and misprinted, leading to the publication of this seal in the 1945 History and subsequent Constitutions. Additionally, our founding jumped curiously by two years. 

                                             

A date-corrected seal appeared in 1966, yet the inner words still were incorrect with the letter “M.” And then, our Centennial celebration was upon us, starting in 1971. This special Centennial seal was mass-printed on the cover of the 1971 ANCHORA. The erroneous letter “M” lived on, but was corrected after the publication. 

                                               

This brings us to the Sesquicentennial. We have seen that, in the years since the Centennial, incorrect versions still appeared, so we knew we needed to get the sesquicentennial seal back to “Character and Unity” as opposed to some Greek gibberish. In planning sesquicentennial special events and commemorative items, the “M vs. H” was at the forefront of our minds. The committee developed a seal worthy of our Founders and the monumental anniversary, as well as the character and unity of our beloved Delta Gamma. Long live the letter H for many reasons. 


Interested in learning more about Delta Gamma's history? Check out our sesquicentennial anniversary pictorial history book, Celebrating 150 Years of Delta Gamma, 1873-2023. This 96-page limited edition pays homage to our history, including historical vignettes and images, many of which have never been seen before, curated into a masterful, comprehensive treasure trove. Purchase yours here! 

                                                      

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Delta Gamma Recognized at Fraternity Communication Association Annual Conference

By Caitlin Soltesz, assistant director for communications

Marketing and Communications Team

In April, Delta Gamma’s marketing and communications staff attended the Fraternity Communication Association (FCA) Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. During the conference, staff members had the opportunity to attend educational programming, roundtable discussions, networking events and the awards banquet at the conclusion of the week.

Delta Gamma received four awards at the Recognition Banquet for work in 2021.

Pictured, left to right: Digital and Design Specialist Morgan Branson, Alpha Xi-West Virginia, ANCHORA Editor Jayme Crowell, Alpha Pi-Arizona, Director of Marketing and Communications Mallory Borino and Assistant Director for Communications Caitlin Soltesz.

First Place | Two-Page Design

Campus Traditions

This award recognizes excellent two-page design from a magazine, tabloid or other similar spread created during the calendar year 2021. Read the fall 2021 ANCHORA to see the award-winning spread!

 

First Place | Blog

Pride for My Child and My Sisterhood

This award honors the outstanding presentation of a blog managed by headquarters staff. The blog may be general to the organization, related to a specific topic or presented for a limited audience. Entries should be well designed and easy to navigate with engaging content for their intended reader. Read the blog here.

 

Second Place | Story Packaging Long

One Giant Leap for Women

This award honors the ability to combine outstanding writing and design concepts to tell a story through creativity, presentation and organization. The article should include additional graphics, sidebar or visual elements beyond the main article. Read the spring 2021 ANCHORA to read One Giant Leap for Women.

 

Third Place | Video Presentation – Long

Delta Gamma Philanthropy Video  

This award honors outstanding efforts in video production. Entries should be at least three minutes or longer. Presentations can be on any topic and should demonstrate creativity, originality and inventiveness. Watch the video here.

 

What is the Fraternity Communications Association? FCA exists to enhance fraternity communications through the exchange of ideas, experiences and information. As a professional association, FCA is composed of fraternities and sororities, affiliates and associate partners. The organization is unique within the fraternity movement in that the organization, not the individual editor, holds membership. Learn more at their website.

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The History of Founders Day

By Diane Hall, Fraternity Archivist 

Delta Gamma’s three founders Anna, Eva and Mary formed Delta Gamma Fraternity over the holiday break while attending the Lewis School in 1873. But for most of Delta Gamma’s history, this occasion has been celebrated on March 15 (or the nearest convenient date) rather than in December. This tradition goes back to the 1880s. 

In March of 1887 the former ANCHORA Editor Abby Soule, Eta-Akron, made a plea in the publication for a Fraternity-wide reunion day. Eta chapter had been using the date of March 15 (their installation date) as a reunion day and it is likely this was discussed at the 1888 Convention. This date also had the benefit of not conflicting with the winter holiday season. In 1946, Reunion Day was replaced in the Delta Gamma Constitution with Founders Day as a way to remember Delta Gamma’s Founders as the last of the three passed way in 1940. A time for remembrance of history and a reunion with friends, collegiate and alumnae groups will often hold banquets, luncheons or similar events to mark the day. Usual traditions consist of roll call by chapters, talks given by either outside speakers or members, recognition of members for achievement and service and other similar activities.

Founders Day 2022 

Join Delta Gammas across the globe as we celebrate 148 years of the Do Good Sisterhood! Planning a Founders Day event? Check out our toolkit to help you host a successful event. Looking for your collegiate chapter history? All chapter histories are now in the library. Find them by searching your chapter name. 

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 15 at 6 p.m. PT | 9 p.m. ET to join us for a virtual Fraternity-wide celebration. Register here.

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Founders Focus: Eva Webb

By Diane Hall, Fraternity Archivist 

Evelyn "Eva" Webb was born on July 5, 1855, into a well-to-do family in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Her cousin Anna Boyd, and their future friend Mary Comfort were born the following January. She was the daughter of Matilda Anna Boyd and Robert Berry Webb. Being economically well-off allowed her family to send her to school in Oxford, Mississippi, where she attended the Lewis School with Anna and Mary. Bad weather plagued the area in the winter of 1873 which prevented the three girls from returning home for the holidays. It was then that they decided to form the Do Good Sisterhood. Eva would spend two years at the Lewis School. 

On October 12, 1875, she married the Honorable Samuel L. Dodd, an attorney in Kosciusko. They would have eight children together. Samuel passed away in 1928, Eva outlived him by about six-years, passing away on January 28, 1934. After her passing, her friend Mary wrote of her, “She was a charter member of the Twentieth Century Club and for a long time led the civic work of the club. She also took an active part in the organization of the Mississippi Federation of Women’s Club in 1896. She was a devout and consecrated member of the Presbyterian Church and she lived the religion she professed.” 

About Delta Gamma: Delta Gamma Fraternity was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi at the Lewis School for Girls by three young women: Anna Boyd, Mary Comfort and Eva Webb. Founded before the term sorority was used, our fraternity has since grown into one of the largest international women's organizations with more than 260,000 members, 150 collegiate chapters and 190 alumnae groups. 

With Delta Gamma’s founding, Anna, Mary and Eva helped spark a movement to create safe and empowering communities for women on college campuses. We still make that space for each other today, through a culture of belonging, a promise to empower and a commitment to put our purpose into practice.


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Founders Focus: Mary Comfort

By Diane Hall, Fraternity Archivist 

Mary Eleanor Comfort was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, on January 22, 1856, the same day as her future friend, Anna Boyd. She was the daughter of Daniel Benjamin Comfort and Eliza Love Durham. Eliza passed at the age of 22 when Mary was still a young child. Daniel would then marry Eliza’s sister. All together, Mary had 12 siblings and they referred to her by the nickname “Mac-Ellen”. Like her friend Anna, Mary’s family was relatively well-off which allowed them to send her to get an education at the Lewis School in Oxford, Mississippi. She would spend three years at this women’s educational institution. It was here during the winter season that poor weather prevented her, Anna, and their friend Eva from returning to their hometown for the holidays. It was then that the three friends decided to form a society “for mutual helpfulness.” They chose the Greek letters Delta and Gamma to stand for do good.

She married Charles H. Leonard in 1880. They relocated to Tennessee where they both worked as teachers. Just a few years later Charles’ health began to decline and the couple moved to Florida where he passed away in 1887. They had three sons, Cecil, William and Herbert. After he husband’s passing Mary returned to Kosciusko where she continued teaching for 16 years. She would live to see her granddaughter initiated as a Delta Gamma. Mary passed away on August 4, 1940, and was remembered fondly in her community by the generation of students she taught.  

About Delta Gamma: Delta Gamma Fraternity was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi at the Lewis School for Girls by three young women: Anna Boyd, Mary Comfort and Eva Webb. Founded before the term sorority was used, our fraternity has since grown into one of the largest international women's organizations with more than 260,000 members, 150 collegiate chapters and 190 alumnae groups. 

With Delta Gamma’s founding, Anna, Mary and Eva helped spark a movement to create safe and empowering communities for women on college campuses. We still make that space for each other today, through a culture of belonging, a promise to empower and a commitment to put our purpose into practice.

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Founders Focus: Anna Boyd

By Diane Hall, Fraternity Archivist 

Anna Rebecca Boyd was born on January 22, 1856, in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She was the daughter of James Madison Boyd and Caroline A. Kennedy Boyd. Her father was a politician and served as a member of the Mississippi legislature, and her mother was a school teacher. The family was relatively well off, allowing Anna to receive a formal education at the Lewis School in Oxford, Mississippi. Luckily her friend Mary Eleanor Comfort and her cousin Eva Webb also attended. Just shy of 18 years old, Anna along with Mary and Eva, founded Delta Gamma Fraternity when bad weather and poor road conditions kept them from traveling back to the hometown for the holiday season in 1873.  

Like her own mother, Anna became a school teacher. Upon marrying Daniel A. Ellington in 1882, she gave up her career and the two moved to California. They had four daughters together: Lena b.1883, Harriet b.1884, Caroline b.1886 and Lillian b.1888. Sadly, Daniel would pass away in 1890. A few years after her husband's death, Anna returned to Kosciusko with her children. She placed great importance on educating her daughters. By 1907 her goal was almost completed. Her first two daughters had graduated, one was a sophomore, and the youngest was ready to being college. Anna would not live to see her dream achieved, she passed away on August 12 of that year at the age of 51 years. Remembered for her bright mind and quick wit she was also artistically gifted. She left several sketches one of which you can see here.  

About Delta Gamma: Delta Gamma Fraternity was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi at the Lewis School for Girls by three young women: Anna Boyd, Mary Comfort and Eva Webb. Founded before the term sorority was used, our fraternity has since grown into one of the largest international women's organizations with more than 260,000 members, 150 collegiate chapters and 190 alumnae groups. 

With Delta Gamma’s founding, Anna, Mary and Eva helped spark a movement to create safe and empowering communities for women on college campuses. We still make that space for each other today, through a culture of belonging, a promise to empower and a commitment to put our purpose into practice.

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Diary of a CDC: Reflecting on My First Semester

By Haleigh Swenfurth, Eta Kappa-North Carolina State

As I am sitting in the airport waiting to board my flight home after my last visit of this semester, I am overwhelmed with a multitude of feelings. A year ago, I was gearing up for finals and about to graduate from college. I did not know what direction I wanted to go professionally but I knew I had to apply to be a collegiate development consultant (CDC). I had been drawn to the role because of the CDCs who I had worked with during my time in chapter leadership. They pushed me to be the best version of myself while helping me navigate what being a chapter officer really meant. If it were not for the women who came before me seeing my true potential, I would have never applied for this job in the first place. When going through the application process, I thought I knew what this role would provide me if I was one of the ones chosen to serve… I truly had no idea.

Even though I was able to take on my first visit with CDC Katie, I was nervous to show up to a chapter I had never been to and be one they would look to for direction. After that, I started to gain confidence in myself that I didn’t have before. I started to feel like this job was truly for me. With my newfound confidence, I started to feel that I was able to do the work and do it well. Being able to work through challenging situations with collegians and watching them grow in their leadership abilities as well has been one of the most rewarding parts of this job. It doesn’t just stop after leaving a chapter, hearing from those who I have worked with after my visit is done makes it even more worthwhile.    

Despite the challenges that have occurred while on the road, I have had such a fulfilling first semester. From flight delays, luggage issues and other unforeseen circumstances we all have had to adapt to. You never know what the day will present until you are in it! Waking up and being able to meet new collegians, advisers and campus partners is an experience like no other. Even after the most tiring days my cup still overflows with joy. I am looking forward to what this next semester will bring myself and the rest of the team! 

Apply to be a CDC! Applications are now open and close January 2. Learn more and apply here. 

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Diary of a CDC

My CDC Scrapbook: Branching Out and Celebrating My Roots

By Katie Null, Gamma Epsilon-Kent State


Graduating college is a bittersweet time. It’s more than the moment of walking across stage, being handed a fake diploma and shaking hands with campus administrators. For me, at least, it consisted of months of stress wondering if I would get a job, constantly acknowledging each “last” of college and trying to come to peace with saying goodbye to such a formative, memorable and all-around special time in my life. When I got the call offering me a position on the collegiate development consultant (CDC) team, there were so many unknowns. Where would I be traveling? Would I always be alone? Was this really the best step for me, or would I be better off getting a “normal” job?

The one thing I knew was this: I wasn’t ready to distance myself from Delta Gamma just yet. Delta Gamma gave me the sisters I always wanted, leadership experience, a network of women across the country and truly, my best friends for life. I knew then that if I took this job, all the beautiful things that Delta Gamma had given me in college would only grow in my first year post-grad. So, I called my mom, thought on it for a few minutes, and called back to accept.

The time since then has been nothing short of amazing. I have had the opportunity to visit five of our chapters: Theta Zeta-Florida Gulf Coast, Delta Beta-Kentucky, Eta Omega-Portland State, Alpha Nu-USC and Epsilon Kappa-Clemson. I was able to visit Theta Zeta twice during the semester, the first visit being with CDC Haleigh, where we had the best time creating memories with both each other and the amazing women of the chapter. When I visited Eta Omega, I connected with a former CDC and Council member over lunch and heard stories of her time as a CDC. My visits with Alpha Nu and Delta Beta were both virtual, yet both chapters made me feel so welcomed and appreciated, even over Zoom. In the almost two months I spent with Epsilon Kappa, I worked with many other CDCs to recruit our founding class, help to develop them into leaders and show them all that DG has to offer.

Of all the memories I’ve made, some of my favorites are from the times that I was able to return to my alma mater, Kent State, and reconnect with my own chapter of initiation, Gamma Epsilon. My first break of the semester coincided with Gamma Epsilon’s bid day, so I returned to Kent to celebrate and help with the day. It was a full-circle moment for me, as my junior year I planned the chapter’s bid day, and this year one of my littles oversaw the celebration. As I met with other Gamma Epsilon alumnae (including some former CDCs), met the new members joining my chapter and got to share stories about this job with my sisters, a feeling washed over me that I had made the perfect decision to become a CDC; this was exactly where I was supposed to be in that moment. After that visit, I was able to return for Kent State’s homecoming and big/little reveal to welcome amazing my great-great-grand little into our family.

Now, back to graduation and the theme of this blog post. I am beyond lucky to have two of my favorite people in the world as my little sisters in DG, one of whom gave me the most thoughtful and kind graduation gift: a scrapbook to document my CDC travels and memories in throughout the year. The message she chose to display on the cover, “And the adventure begins,” could not have been more fitting. This job is nothing short of a huge adventure. The memories I have made in just one semester are ones that I could not have possibly made in the “normal” jobs I considered. I’ve been able to travel with some of my newfound best friends, stay up until all hours painting banners and making anchor signs, experience new areas of the country I had never visited before and work with amazing Delta Gamma collegians and alumnae everywhere I go. I think there’s something special about printing photos and creating a physical book of memories. When I visit home, one of my favorite things to do is sift through old scrapbooks, sometimes pulling the pages from behind the film to get a better look. As I continue to fill my CDC scrapbook with memories throughout the year, I picture myself five, 10, even 20 years from now looking back on this time in my life, being so grateful to the 21-year-old college senior who decided to have faith in herself and take on this role.

So, to anyone considering taking the step to apply for the 2022-2023 CDC team, DO IT! This job allows you to travel, grow, make new connections and learn so much about yourself, all while giving back to Delta Gamma. I will forever be grateful for the new friends, professional connections and range of experiences I have made in my time thus far as a CDC. Learn more and apply here. Applications close January 2.

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Diary of a CDC: The Sweetest Chapter Memories

By Natalee Jamerson, Eta Tau-Christopher Newport

Applications for the 2022-2023 CDC team open November 16 and close January 2! Learn more here. To learn more about the program follow our blog series - Diary of a CDC! Each week one of our CDCs will share stories from the road, application tips and more. This week, CDC Natalee took some time to write in her diary.

Becoming a collegiate development consultant (CDC) had always been a dream of mine since I joined Delta Gamma in 2018. I was inspired by the direction and growth my own chapter experienced during our CDC visits, and I wanted to do the same for other chapters across the U.S. and Canada. I was so excited when I got the call asking if I wanted to accept the job – my dream of three years was finally coming true. As excitement was settling down and the weight of my luggage was increasing, I started getting nervous. In a few short days, my dream job was about to hit the road and I was suddenly becoming more and more aware of how I’d be traveling alone for the next 107 days.

I went to school out of state, over 600 miles away, so I was not new to traveling alone. The difference? I was always traveling to a location where I knew someone. With this job, I was traveling to chapters I had never visited before and definitely wouldn’t know a single person there. Looking back, it’s silly to think about how nervous I was. If there’s one constant theme, from each chapter I’ve visited, both in-person and virtually, it’s how each and every member treated me as a sister, their sister. I was not outcasted as a visitor to the chapter, rather welcomed with open arms and embraced as if I was an (insert chapter name) initiate.

The first time you’re picked up by collegians from the airport and they help you lug two large suitcases into their car – a bond is immediately created. I will never forget the care and consideration each chapter member has given me on my visits. Every memory I take from this job will be ones I pass down for the rest of my life. Each chapter leaves a different memory, but one constant theme is the same – sisterhood is forever in our bonds. Reflecting upon my visits, specific memories come to mind. The movie night I had with Eta Kappa-North Carolina State members will forever go down as number one. We all laid out on the couch giggling watching The Kissing Booth 3 and snacking on a bulk size Starburst bag. Who would’ve known there could be so much commentary for a movie?! Another sweet memory was at Eta Gamma-Texas A&M, riding around with chapter president, Mabry, for two hours at night and trying out Dutch Bros for the first time. If you’re curious, I was not a fan of their strawberry milkshake (eww). Working as a supporting consultant at Epsilon Kappa-Clemson, the memories were endless. Most special to me was their twin reveal. I had spent weeks planning the event, pairing members, getting donations for the chapter and ordering sweatshirts. Side note: to any chapter member that has placed a clothing order before – you have my sympathy. The pure joy each member had when their twin (or triplet) was revealed to them put the biggest smile on my face. This new chapter was getting to experience some of the sweetest parts of being in a sorority – getting their family line. What could be better?

All in all, this semester has been one for the books. So many memories have been formed between collegians, other CDCs, Executive Offices staff and volunteers that I will cherish for the rest of my life. It’s so silly thinking back on how nervous I was at the beginning of the job. To everyone that had an impact so far, thank you so much! I cannot wait to see what the spring will bring.

 

If you’re looking to expand your relationships within Delta Gamma and make some great memories, I highly recommend applying for this job. Applications close January 2! Learn more about the CDC job and apply here. 

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