Delta Zeta

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Delta Zeta
ΔΖ
File:Delta zeta crest.jpg
Founded October 24, 1902; 121 years ago (1902-10-24)
Miami University, (Oxford, Ohio)
Type Social
Scope International
Colors      Rose      Green[lower-alpha 1]
Symbol Roman Lamp
Flower Pink Killarney Rose
Jewel Diamond
Publication The LAMP of Delta Zeta
Philanthropy Speech and Hearing; The Painted Turtle,
The Starkey Hearing Foundation
Chapters 165
Colonies 5
Members 244,400[4] collegiate
Mascot Turtle
Headquarters 202 East Church Street
Oxford, Ohio, USA
Homepage http://www.deltazeta.org
File:Delta zeta founders.jpg
Delta Zeta Founders
File:Delta Zeta headquarters and museum.jpg
Delta Zeta headquarters in Oxford

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, the United Kingdom, 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).[4]

History

Delta Zeta Sorority was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1902, the same year that the university first allowed female students.[5] 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.[5] 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.[5]

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.[citation needed]

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.[6] Delta Zeta's partnership with The Painted Turtle displays their commitment towards philanthropy while also incorporating their mascot.

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.[citation needed]

Current National Council

The National Council of Delta Zeta is an alumnae board tasked with the governance of the organization.[7]

Accusations of discrimination

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Main article: DePauw University Delta Zeta discrimination controversy

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.[8] 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.[9]

Notable alumnae

File:DeltaZeta Urbana Illinois 4426.jpg
University of Illinois house

Collegiate chapters

Delta Zeta Sorority House at Ohio University.

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Main article: List of Delta Zeta chapters

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The 1905 Baird's Manual lists the colors as "old rose and nile green" which some chapter websites still use.[1][2] The 1991 edition says "old rose and green". However, the official national web cite lists the colors as "rose and green".[3]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.rmudz.com/History.html[dead link]
  2. ↑ http://www.deltazetadrexel.org/newsite/facts.html[dead link]
  3. ↑ http://www.deltazeta.org/aboutdeltazeta/historyandheritage/deltazetafacts[dead link]
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Brewer, Nancy, and Rochelle Mackey. A Century of Sisterhood: The Story of Delta Zeta Sorority 1902-2002. Phoenix: Heritage, Inc., AZ.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Philanthropy

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