History

Founders

Alpha Gamma Delta was founded in 1904 at Syracuse University by Marguerite Shepard, Estelle Shepard Beswick, Jennie Titus Smith-Morris, Georgia Dickover, Ethel Brown Distin, Edith MacConnell Hickok, Flora Knight Mayer, Mary Louise Snider, Grace Mosher Harter, Georgia Otis Chipman, Emily Helen Butterfield and was "dedicated to academic excellence, leadership development, high ideals and sisterhood." (National Website)

 

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Founded: May 30, 1904 @ Syracuse University

Jewel: Pearls

Flower: Red and buff roses with green plumosa fern

Colors: Red, Buff, and Green

Mascot: Squirrel 

Purpose

 

To gain understanding that wisdom may be vouchsafed to me.

To develop and prize health and vigor of body.

To cultivate acquaintance with many whom I meet.

To cherish friendships with but a chosen few and to study the perfecting of those friendships.

To welcome the opportunity of contributing to the world’s work in the community where I am placed because of the joy of service thereby bestowed and the talent of leadership multiplied.

To honor my home, my county, my religious faith.

To hold truth inviolable, sincerity essential, kindness invaluable.

To covet beauty in environment, manner, word and thought.

To possess high ideas and to attain somewhat unto them.

This shall be my Purpose for that those who know me may esteem Alpha Gamma Delta for her attainments, revere her for her purposes and love her for her womanhood.
Mission 
Alpha Gamma Delta is an international fraternity for women that exists to provide opportunities for personal development through the spirit of sisterhood.

*We support lifelong learning as a means to gain understanding and wisdom.
*We promote the value of fraternal membership and commitment to higher education.
*We help prepare members to contribute to the world's work.
*We advocate lifetime involvement in Alpha Gamma Delta.
 

Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation 
So that Alpha Gams can contribute to their communities beyond their collegiate career, Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation supports these efforts.

 

"The Mission of the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, Inc. is twofold:

  • To generate financial resources to fund the educational, philanthropic and leadership purposes of Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity

  • To support those purposes, for both members and non-members, through financial grants for scholarships; leadership training; diabetes research, education and equipment; emergency financial assistance; wellness issues; and programs that enhance high personal standards of ethics and values." alphagammadelta.org
Philanthropy
 Alpha Gamma Delta was the first national women's fraternity to declare a international philanthropy in 1919, a camp for underprivileged children in Michigan then Ontario.  The camp was staffed by collegians and alumnae for over 25 years.  Alpha Gamma Delta's international philanthropy has changed over the last 100 years but remained focused on helping children:
  • 1947, Alpha Gamma Delta changed the international philanthropy to sponsoring training programs for those working with the rehabilitation of individuals who are physically impaired through the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults . 
  • 1964, Alpha Gamma Delta now focuses on providing supports to children with minimal brain dysfunction and sponsored a cleft-plate symposium.  The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation was beginning by providing grants to sisters in need.
  • 1979, Alpha Gamma Delta adopted Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as its official international philanthropy.

For information on the Beta Xi's philanthropic efforts and community service projects, please see the Philanthropy page.