Delta Gamma

Delta Gamma was founded by Anna Boyd Ellington, Eva Webb Dodd and Mary Comfort Leonard in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi, at the Lewis School for Girls near the University of Mississippi. The Founders sought to maintain high ideals and standards and to encourage intellectual growth and service in order to exemplify college women at their best.

The early growth for Delta Gamma was confined to women's colleges in the South. Within a few years, Delta Gamma was established in the North and then later expanded to the East. In 1891, Delta Gamma was one of the seven charter members of the National Panhellenic Conference when the first inter-sorority meeting was in Boston.

As the population moved West, so did Delta Gamma. What began as a club in the South soon became an international fraternity in both scope and thinking as Delta Gamma established itself not only in the United States, but also in Canada. Through the years, goals and achievements have grown as Delta Gammas continue to live by the motto set forth by the Founders, "Do Good."

Delta Gammas membership has grown to more than 142,000 women worldwide with 146 collegiate chapters and more than 250 alumnae groups across the United States and Canada.

The original badge of our Founders was the letter “H”. This symbolized Hope, which was our Founders’ watchword.  Only initiated members wear the official badge of the Fraternity. In 1877, the “H” badge changed to an anchor, which is the traditional symbol for hope.