Kappa Delta (ΚÎ") was the first sorority founded at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University), in Farmville, Virginia. It is one of the "Farmville Four" sororities founded at the university. (The others are Alpha Sigma Alpha, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Zeta Tau Alpha; a clock tower at the university campus with a clock face representing each sorority is dedicated to the four).
Kappa Delta has over 230,000 members, more than 14,000 undergraduate members in 165 active collegiate chapters. Kappa Delta also has more than 510 chartered alumnae chapters, the most of any National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) group. It is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.
History
Lenora Ashmore Blackiston, Mary Sommerville Sparks Hendrick, Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson, and Sara Turner White founded Kappa Delta on the beliefs of friendship, fellowship, and sisterly love.
The Founders of Κappa Delta:
- Lenora Ashmore Blackiston:
Lenora was the first to propose the idea of forming a sorority. However, she was not able to leave much of a mark on the start of Kappa Delta due to her transfer to Randolph-Macon Women's College.
- Mary Sommerville Sparks Hendrick:
Mary was 23 at the time Kappa Delta was founded. She was much older than the other girls and served as their mentor. She spent a significant amount of time as a Bible study teacher and remained at the university to assist in the start of Kappa Delta.
- Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson:
Julia came from a very well respected family. Her father was the president of the College of William and Mary and she was the granddaughter of former U.S. President John Tyler. She was named after her grandmother, First Lady Julia Gardiner Tyler.
- Sara Turner White:
Sara was the daughter of a Virginian senator. She was not as successful in her academics as the rest of the founders but preferred social activities.
Kappa Delta was the first sorority that was accepted into the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) as soon as they petitioned to join. Kappa Delta then became the first NPC group to form partnerships with various women's organizations, such as the Association of Junior Leagues International, which influences women's community leadership, the Girl Scouts of the USA, and the Women's Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee.
National Council
- President- Alison Jakes Argersinger
- Vice President- Susan Stockton
- VP Membership- Karen Thomas Fesmire
- VP Collegians- Barb Hamilton Stacy
- VP Alumnae- Tricia Ruma Spence
- VP Finance- Jodi Scheurenbrand
- NPC Delegate- Julie Landgren Johnson
- Executive Director - Pamela Nix
Symbols
The official symbols of ΚÎ" are the nautilus shell and the dagger, while the mascots are the teddy bear and the katydid. The official colors are olive green and pearl white. The official flower is the white rose. ΚÎ" has 3 official jewels, the diamond, the emerald, and the pearl.
Kappa Delta's coat of arms (often called the crest) is a white Norman shield, surmounted by a lamp of ancient design, against a background of ornamental scroll. A ribbon underneath the shield bears the date of the sorority's founding and the Greek Open Motto, "ta kala diokomen" which means "let us strive for that which is honorable, beautiful, and highest". Each part of the crest has a special meaning, which is learned during initiation.This symbol is reserved for use by initiated members only, and most often is made into a shield or plaque to be displayed in a chapter house, or as a small insignia on clothing or letterhead. The letters K and D on clothing, stationery products, and accessories may be worn and used by new members and initiates alike.
Notable members
Arts and entertainment
- Madison Brown (Beta Delta-Utah State University) - TLC Sisterwives
- Wendi Nix (Epsilon Sigma-Wofford College) - ESPN commentator
- Lauren Elaine (Sigma Epsilon-University of Texas) - celebrity Fashion Designer, Actress, and TV Personality
- Brooke Anderson (Sigma Phi-University of Georgia) - journalist and anchor for Showbiz Tonight
- Ellen Albertini Dow (Omega Chi-Cornell) - actress (The Wedding Singer, Wedding Crashers)
- Ali Landry (Gamma Kappa-Louisiana/Lafayette) - actress, Miss USA 1996; one of People magazine's 1998 "50 Most Beautiful People"; Frito-Lay spokesperson "Doritos Girl"
- Georgia O'Keeffe (Beta-Chatham Episcopal) - artist, Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
- Debbie Maffett Wilson (Gamma Rho-Sam Houston State) - 1983 Miss America
- Leigh Anne Roberts Tuohy (Alpha Mu-University of Mississippi) - one subject of the 2009 film The Blind Side
- Lane Lindell (Sigma Phi-University of Georgia) - model, Miss United States World 2008
- Mari Wilensky (Beta Pi-University of Florida) - Miss Florida 2005, Miss America 2006 Top Ten Finalist
- Rachael Todd (Epsilon Omicron-University of Central Florida) - Miss Florida 2009
- Liz Cochran (Alpha Upsilon-Birmingham Southern College) - Miss Alabama 2009
- Hannah Roberts, (Beta Sigma-University of Southern Mississippi) Miss Mississippi 2015, 1st runner-up to Miss America 2016
- Susie Castillo (Alpha Iota-University of California, Los Angeles) - Miss USA 2003
- Sarah Jane Waddell (Eta Theta-Villanova University) - Miss Trinidad & Tobago World 2014
- Caitlin Upton (Epsilon Epsilon-Appalachian State University) - Miss Teen South Carolina 2007
- Amanda Cerny (Epsilon Omicron-University of Central Florida) - Playboy's Miss October 2011, Youtube/Vine Personality
Lauren Daniels (Zeta Gamma-University of Arkansas) Miss Arkansas 2015
Literature
- Pearl S. Buck (Theta-Randolph Macon) - Nobel Prize Winner, Pulitzer Prize Winner
- Joan Lowery Nixon (Theta Sigma-USC) - author
Military
- Claudia J. Kennedy (Alpha Delta-Rhodes) - first female three-star general in the Army (now retired)
Government
- Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (Gamma Kappa-Louisiana/Lafayette) - first female elected Governor of Louisiana
- Jean Carpenter Carnahan (Epsilon Alpha-Missouri/Rolla) - U.S. Senator Missouri 2000-2002
- Bonnie Dunbar (Sigma Iota-Washington) - NASA Astronaut
- Christine O' Grady Gregoire (Sigma Iota-Washington) - Governor of Washington
Business
- Suzy Spafford (Beta Rho-San Diego State) - creator of the Suzy's Zoo greeting cards
- Patricia Polito Miller (Sigma Upsilon-Indiana University) - Co-Owner/President of Vera Bradley Designs
- Patricia Wood Barnes (Delta Delta-Troy) - Founder of Sister Schubert's Rolls
Athletics
- Trischa Zorn (Pi-University of Nebraska) - Paralympian
Philanthropy and service
- Ruth Johnson Colvin (Lambda) - Founder of Literacy Volunteers of America, now called ProLiteracy Worldwide
- Emily Elizabeth Douglas (Gamma Nu - Miami University (Ohio)) - Founder and Executive Director of Grandma's Gifts
- Donna J. Stone (Lambda) - Founder of Prevent Child Abuse America
Chapters
Kappa Delta currently has a total of 163 collegiate chapters across North America.
See also
- International Day of the Girl Child
- Fraternities and sororities in North America
- List of Kappa Delta chapters
- List of social fraternities and sororities
References
External links
- Kappa Delta Website