It all started as a dorm room discussion of college friendships between two sisters and grew into an international sisterhood of thousands of friends on and off the college campus.� It grew into Alpha Gamma Delta.
The Alpha Gamma Delta Mission Statement:
An international fraternity dedicated to academic
excellence, leadership development, high ideals, and sisterhood.
�
Our Eleven Founders:
MARGUERITE SHEPARD
Our first founder, since she was the first to
pledge herself to forming the new Fraternity.� Marguerite was conservative,
dedicated, conscientious, and highly intelligent-- our first Phi Beta Kappa.
ESTELLE SHEPARD BESWICK
The first editor of the Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly,
as well as the first Exrension Chairman.� She, like her sister, was
elected to Phi Beta Kappa.� She had much enthusiasm for every project
she undertook and possessed a great sense of humor.
JENNIE TITUS SMITH MORRIS
The first president of the Alpha Chapter and
the first Grand President of the Fratenity.� She was the author of
a considerable part of The Ritual and contributed to the organization
of nine Alpha Gamma Delta chapters.� Jennie wore the first badge and
treasured it always.� A woman of pioneering spirit, she had a warm
personality and a helpful and sincere manner.
GEORGIA DICKOVER
A dedicated worker who gave of her time quietly
and continuously, Georgia served as Editor of the Quarterly for
two years and as Historian of the Fraternity for eighteen years.�
Her service in these offices culminated in the preparation of the History,
published in 1931.� She, together with Edith MacConnel Hickok, compiled
some of our Ritual.
ETHEL BROWN DISTIN
The second president of Alpha Chapter, 1905-1906.�
She was instrumental in developing and installing Beta Chapter.� Among
her greatest contributions to Alpha Gamma Delta were her loving interest,
her close friendships, her loyalty, and the manner in which she imparted
those feelings to younger members.� She was a natural leader with
a charming personality.
EDITH MacCONNELL HICKOK
Edith wrote several of the early fraternity songs,
including "Iniation Song" and "Autumn Tints."� She also worked with
Georgia Dickover on the beginning of the Iniation Ceremony.� Edith
led an active life and had a deep interest in social work and religion.�
She was the mother of the first Alpha Gamma Delta legacy baby.
FLORA KNIGHT MAYER
She had great musical talent and was the chapter
pianist in the early years.� She contributed her knowledge and love
of music to the development of early Fraternity songs and the importance
of music in the Ritual.� Flora was a pretty, shy, quiet young woman
and only her close friends were aware of her comical sense of humor.
MARY LOUISE SNYDER
A deeply compassionate woman, she was Alpha Gamma
Delta's first missionary, going out under the board of the Methodist Church
to Concepcion College, Concepcion, Chile.� She served there for thirteen
years, part of which time she was principal of the college.� While
there, she originated and helped organize the first summer institute of
Epworth Leagues ever held in South America.
GRACE MOSHER HARTER
"Midge" was energetic and vivacious.� Throughout
her college days her home in nearby Parish, New York, was the scene of
many happy Alpha Gamma Delta weekend house parties.� She helped install
Gamma Chapter.� Grace's daughter, Margaret Harter Sanders and granddaughter,
Susan Dee Sanders, were initiated at the 1964 Convention.
GEORGIA OTIS CHIPMAN
A capable, attractive, and witty young woman.�
Following her graduation from college, she taught in Chatham Episcopal
Institute in Virginia.� She became the first Business Manager of the
Quarterly.
EMILY HELEN BUTTERFIELD
Brilliant and filled with vitality, Emily was
Michigan's first woman Architect.� She designed Alpha's chapter house
and the buildings for the Alpha Gamma Delta summer camp in Jackson, Michigan.�
Emily designed and wrote the symbolism for our Armorial Bearings.�
She also designed Armorial Bearings for several other fraternities and
was recognized as the foremost authority on fraternity heraldy.� The
purpose of Alpha Gamma Delta, with its illuminated border, is another of
Emily's gifts to the Fraternity.
You are the visitor since July 14, 1999.
Alpha Gamma Delta, Epsilon Nu
425 North Jackson
Edmond, Oklahoma 73034
(405) 341-6380
The above excerpt of information was taken from the Alpha Gamma Delta New Member Manual, "Our Founders" section.
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