Delta Zeta



Delta Zeta (ΔΖ) is an international college sorority founded on October 24, 1902, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Today, Delta Zeta has 158 collegiate chapters in the United States and over 200 alumnae chapters in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. As of 2013, there are over 244,400 college and alumnae members, making them the third largest sorority in the nation (after Alpha Delta Pi and Chi Omega). Although they are a popular sorority nationally, they have not been without controversy. In 2007, a New York Times article regarding the closure of the DePauw University chapter of Delta Zeta accused the organization of alleged discrimination of girls based on looks.

History
Delta Zeta Sorority was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1902, the same year that the university first allowed female students. Miami is dubbed the "Mother of Fraternities" because of the many prominent men's fraternities which were founded there.

Six of the newly admitted females consulted university president Dr. Guy Potter Benton regarding the founding of the first sorority chapter. Having been a leader in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity he was familiar with the processes of a Greek organization and helped the women establish the first Delta Zeta chapter. Benton aided in preparation of the ritual, badge, and colors. For his contributions, he was named the 'Grand Patron'. The Delta Zeta Sorority was officially incorporated in October 24, 1902. The founding members were: Alfa Lloyd Hayes, Mary Jane Collins, Anna Louise Keen, Julia Lawrence Bishop, Mabelle May Minton, and Anne Dial Simmons.

Article II of the Mission Statement reads as follows: "The purpose of this sorority shall be to unite its members in the bonds of sincere and lasting friendship, to stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge, to promote the moral and social culture of its members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action; objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose of associated effort."

The women were harassed for wanting to form a sorority. In one account, someone stole the constitution out of the secretary's hand but Dr. Benton pursued the offender and retrieved the constitution.

The sorority joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1910. Delta Zeta has absorbed four other sororities: Beta Phi Alpha in 1941, Phi Omega Pi in 1946, Delta Sigma Epsilon in 1956, and Theta Upsilon in 1962. Delta Zeta marked its Centennial Celebration in 2002.

Symbols
Delta Zeta's official colors are rose and green. The Roman lamp is considered the official symbol. DZ's flower is the pink killarney rose, while the official stone is the diamond.

Delta Zeta's officially recognized mascot is the turtle. Delta Zeta's partnership with The Painted Turtle displays their commitment towards philanthropy while also incorporating their mascot.

Philanthropy
The sorority supports several hearing and speech impaired programs. Individual chapters support fund raising for Gallaudet University and programs such as the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

In 2006 Delta Zeta partnered with The Painted Turtle and The Starkey Hearing Foundation; adding both to the national philanthropic project.

One event that many Delta Zeta chapters use to raise funds for their philanthropies is a Turtle Tug, a tug-of-war contest conducted across campuses by both sororities and fraternities to raise money for The Painted Turtle and their local hearing and speech foundation. Trophies and prizes are given to the winning teams and the most spirited team.

Delta Zeta 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.

The Delta Zeta Foundation
The Delta Zeta Foundation is a not-for-profit entity within the organization that provides various scholarships for members of the sorority as well as funding leadership, philanthropy, and education programs. There is a national philanthropic organization for active members of Delta Zeta known as the 1902 Loyalty Circle, members join by donating $19.02.

Accusations of discrimination
At the end of 2006, the Delta Chapter of Delta Zeta at DePauw University became enmeshed in a controversy that would eventually make national headlines and result in the chapter's closure. The Delta Zeta national leadership was criticized after the New York Times published an article accusing the National office of moving certain members of the Delta Chapter at DePauw University to alumnae status based on their perceived attractiveness. Founded in 1909, the Delta chapter was the sorority's second oldest active chapter and its fourth oldest chapter overall (a "single letter" chapter). Despite its long history at DePauw, the Delta chapter struggled with declining membership and had acquired a negative reputation on campus. As a result, the Delta chapter members voted to request Delta Zeta Sorority to close the chapter due to falling numbers and lack of interest in recruitment. When notified of the chapter decision, Delta Zeta Sorority arranged a chapter membership review and chapter reorganization rather than close the chapter completely. Several of the members that were moved to alumnae status (and therefore required to move out of the Delta Zeta house at DePauw) argued that they were moved to alumnae status due to their perceived unattractiveness, weight, or ethnicity and contacted the media.

Notable alumnae

 * Mercedes Bates (Theta) – first female corporate officer of General Mills Foods. After being appointed to head the Betty Crocker division, she was often referred to as "Betty Crocker".
 * Joy Behar- The former cohost of The View
 * Shelley Berkley (Iota Phi) – U.S. Representative for Nevada's 1st congressional district
 * Marti Dodson (Theta) – lead singer for national recording artist, Saving Jane
 * Nanette Fabray (Xi Omicron) – actress, worked to bring sign language and captioning to television
 * Edith Head (Alumna Initiate, Mu) – Emmy Award-winning designer; 7-time Oscar winner in costume design
 * Florence Henderson (Alumna Initiate, Alpha Chi - Honorary Member) – actress, (The Brady Bunch)
 * Maurine Brown Neuberger (Omega) – former US Senator
 * Melissa Ordway (Delta Delta) – actress and model
 * Pat Priest (Alpha Chi) – actress, (The Munsters)
 * Ivy Baker Priest (Alpha Chi) – Former United States Treasurer
 * Märtha Sofia Lovisa Dagmar Thyra (Alumna Initiate, Upsilon) – princess of Sweden, crown princess of Norway.
 * Marcia Wallace (Delta Nu) – TV and stage actress
 * Kay Yow (Zeta Lambda) – women's basketball Coach, NC State

Philanthropy

 * Gallaudet University
 * The Painted Turtle
 * The Starkey Hearing Foundation