Type Social Colors Rose Green Flower Pink Killarney Rose | Scope International Symbol Roman Lamp | |
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Founded October 24, 1902; 114 years ago (1902-10-24)
Miami University, (Oxford, Ohio) | ||
Delta Zeta (ΔΖ) is an international college sorority founded on October 24, 1902, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Today, Delta Zeta has 160 collegiate chapters in the United States and over 200 alumnae chapters in the United States 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).
Contents
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.
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 partners with Starkey Hearing Foundation and is committed to philanthropy. DZ implements a "Heart For Hearing" to raise money for the foundation.
Philanthropy
Since 1954, the national philanthropy of Delta Zeta is speech and hearing. Part of the Delta Zeta creed states, "To those whom my life may touch in slight measure, may I give graciously of what is mine," in recognition of the importance of service. Delta Zeta has national partnerships with the Starkey Hearing Foundation and Gallaudet University. Individual chapters may also support local organizations in their area.
In addition, Delta Zeta supports The Painted Turtle Camp as a national service project. This camp supports children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Delta Zeta is committed to supporting the camp financially through donations, as well as with our time through volunteering in the camps themselves.
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 Society, members join by donating $19.02.
Current National Council
The National Council of Delta Zeta is an alumnae board tasked with the governance of the organization.
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 Zeta 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
Michele Mitchell is a member of Delta Zeta sorority at Northwestern University.