Delta Theta Tau
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Delta Theta Tau (ΔΘΤ) is a non-college, community based sorority founded on October 16, 1903, in Muncie, Indiana. Today, Delta Theta Tau has 120 chapters in the United States and over 50 alumnae chapters in the United States and Canada.
History
Delta Theta Tau-The Beginning In the early 1900’s it was very common for Greek letter organizations to form in high schools.[citation needed] Later, many of the founders of these organizations would look back on the experience and laugh. At that time it was the “in thing” to do, a status symbol. But for five young women in Muncie, Indiana, it became much more.
Previous to October 16, 1903 five young women formed a new society. Their club was called the Tyrolean Club. But on that remarkable October evening, the name was changed to Delta Theta Tau, an organization to outlive all the others of its kind and surpass the expectations of other clubs in years to come. This was a remarkable feat for five young women in that time. In the early 1900’s there were less than fifty paved highways miles, 8,000 cars, and the average wage was 22 cents an hour. Given all this, our founders were indeed visionary.
The new fraternity name was chosen at the home of Betsy Gordon, her mother almost as excited as she was. That evening there was much to discuss. Ethel Busch was chosen as their leader, olive green and white for colors, and they drew up a constitution. With the motto, “Grit Wins”, the motto of their high school class, they had a new organization. Initially the organization was solely social in nature. They celebrated their new organization that evening with an oyster supper prepared by Mrs. Gordon. The first pledges were Bess Staigers, Charline Knapp Murray, Anna Hilling, Della Ault and Florence Jackson.
The Beta Chapter was installed on February 9, 1905 in Elwood, Indiana. Exactly who knew who is unknown. Also in 1905, Winnie Hartley of Muncie Indiana designed our badge. It is the same as designed back then. Nora Spurgeon Charman was the first of the founders to die and it was in her honor that the founders’ names would be included in the ritual. The first convention was held in 1906. In 1907 the third chapter was installed in Tipton, Indiana. By 1913, there were 11 active chapters. Not bad for only a decades worth of work! The first Grit was published in 1917 and was appropriately named Grit because of all the hard work and grit that was needed to get it done. By 1920 women were granted the right to vote and Delta Theta Tau had 18 chapters. As of 1978, Delta Theta Tau had installed 339 chapters and alumnae associations with 24,455 members having been initiated. Not all were active at the same time however. Today there are 120 chapters total.
Philanthropy
Delta Theta Tau Sorority is a service sorority and raises money through various efforts for many different charities. Nationally they have supported the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasia (NFED)for the last ten years. The ectodermal dysplasia (ED) syndromes are a group of about 150 heritable disorders that affect the ectoderm, the outer layer of tissue in a developing baby. ED syndromes affect both males and females of all races and ethnic groups.
The ectoderm contributes to the formation of many parts of the body, including the skin, sweat glands, hair, teeth, and nails. During embryonic development, these and/or other parts of the baby’s body, including the lens of the eye, parts of the inner ear, the fingers and toes, or nerves, among others, may fail to develop normally.
When a child has at least two types of abnormal ectodermal features—for example, malformed teeth and extremely sparse hair—the child is identified as being affected by an ED “syndrome.” Each of the roughly 150 ED syndromes represents a different combination of abnormalities. Physical symptoms can range from mild to extremely severe. Very few types of ED involve learning difficulties. More information can be obtained at the website www.nfed.org.
The Delta Theta Tau Golden Hand Fund
The Delta Theta Tau Golden Hand Fund is a is a non-profit entity within the organization that provides charitable contributions to various philanthropies.
Delta Home
Delta Theta Tau is unique in that is also have a separate fund that is used for members entering their golden years who experience financial difficulties. Delta Home provides annonymous assistance to members who apply.
Mission statement
Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Inc. is a national women's organization dedicated to the advancement of philanthropy and charity, nonsectarian, nonacademic, promoting welfare for all and fostering the spirit of good fellowship.
Honorary Members
- Shirley Temple Black -actress
- Imogene Jones Long
- Lura Lee Whitesell
- Helen Lawrence Scott
- Mary Pickford
- Eve Joestring
Important Information-What makes Delta Theta Tau unique?
- Delta Theta Tau is the first non-sectarian sorority.[citation needed] It is also not religiously affiliated in any way. Members are only required to "believe in a higher power."
- Delta Theta Tau members do not have to become alumnae; they may remain active members as long as they wish.
- Delta Theta Tau has a national and province convention every year.
- Delta Theta Tau raised over $600,000 in 2005-2006 for philanthropy.
- Delta Theta Tau, like any other sorority, enjoys the following traditions and privlidges: big/little sisters,ritual, convention, meetings, Christmas social, songs, chants, formals, banquets, scholarships, emergency aid to members, etc.
- Official Colrs: Olive Green and White
- Official Motto: Grit Wins
- 2005-2006 Motto: "This is the way to the stars"
- Official flower: White Rose
- All Delta Theta Tau chapters send a newly formed chapter $5 called "Welcome Dollars". This assists the new chapter with expenses and starting their projects.
External link
Resources
- www.deltathetatau.org
- Golden Years of Delta Theta Tau
- Diamond Years of Delta Theta Tau
- Grit Quarterly Publication of Delta Theta Tau
- Interviews with the 2004-2005 National Council, 2005-2006 National Council, and members of the Zeta Zeta Chapter
- www.nfed.org
- NFED fundrasing director