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Delta Gamma (ΔΓ) is one of the oldest and largest women's sororities〔Most organizations typically referred to as ''sororities'' are officially fraternities〕 in the United States and Canada, with over 210,000 members worldwide. It has 148 collegiate chapters in the United States and Canada and 131 alumnae chapters.〔()〕 The organization's executive office is in Columbus, Ohio. The Delta Gamma Foundation gives more than 150,000 volunteer service hours and raises thousands of dollars annually for the enrichment of the lives of its members through scholarships and grants, schools and assistance for the visually impaired, and support for U.S. veterans.〔()〕 Delta Gamma creates an environment for its women to establish long lasting friendships. According to The Shield, the philosophy of Delta Gamma is to "foster an atmosphere in which women will develop a deeper love and consideration for mankind, a more profound understanding of the purpose of life, and a basic wisdom upon which to build their lives". ==History== Delta Gamma was founded in December 1873, in Oxford, Mississippi, at the Lewis School for Girls near the University of Mississippi. The group was founded by Mary Comfort Leonard, Eva Webb Dodd, and Anna Boyd Ellington. Leonard, Dodd, and Ellington sought to maintain high ideals, as to encourage the intellectual growth and a dedication to service for college women to be their best selves.〔 The badge of Delta Gamma is a golden anchor and may be worn only by initiated members. Before the adoption of the golden anchor, the symbol of Delta Gamma was simply a "H" for the word "Hope".〔 In 1877, the original "Hope" badge was changed to the traditional symbol of hope, the anchor. Today's badge has a small rope wrapping around the top of the anchor, with the Greek letters Tau Delta Eta (''ΤΔΗ'') on the crosspiece.〔 Delta Gamma's motto is "Do Good," and its flower is the cream rose.〔 Article II, written by the Founders in 1873, states: "The objects of this Fraternity shall be to foster high ideals of friendship among women, to promote their educational and cultural interests, to create in them a true sense of social responsibility and to develop in them the best qualities of character."The Hannah Doll is their mascot. The early growth for Delta Gamma was confined to women's colleges in the southern United States. Within a few years, Delta Gamma had established itself in the northern United States and later to the East with the help of George Banta, a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and Delta Gamma's only male initiate.〔 Banta played an integral part in the expansion of Delta Gamma chapters from Oxford, Mississippi, to well-recognized northern colleges. In 1882, Banta married Lillian Vawter, a Delta Gamma at Franklin College. After Lillian died in 1885, he was remarried to Ellen Lee Pleasants. In his latter years of life, Banta assisted with the rewriting of the Delta Gamma ritual.〔 He also frequently visited Delta Gamma conventions, often participating as a guest speaker. He appeared for his last speech in 1934, a year before his death.〔 As a result of the assistance provided by Banta, Delta Gamma retains close historical ties with the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Delta Gamma was one of seven charter members of the National Panhellenic Conference when the first inter-sorority meeting was held in Boston, Massachusetts in 1891. Delta Gamma and the six other charter members formally joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1902. Today, the National Panhellenic Conference is the governing body of sororities in America with 26 members. Today, Delta Gamma has 147 collegiate chapters in the United States and Canada. It also has more than 250 alumnae groups in the United States, Canada and England.〔 The oldest existing chapter of Delta Gamma, Eta, is located at the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, and was founded in 1879. The largest chapter is currently Beta Psi at the University of Alabama with 323 members.〔()〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Delta Gamma」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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