Delta Delta Delta was founded at Boston University on November 28, 1888, which fell on the day before Thanksgiving that year. Founders’ Day is celebrated on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
In the fall of 1888, four senior women who had not joined any of the three women’s fraternities then at Boston University discussed their situation. Eleanor Dorcas Pond (Mann, M.D.) talked to Sarah Ida Shaw (Martin) and they decided to start a society of their own. Pond suggested that they use a triple Greek letter and Shaw chose the Greek letter Delta. Shaw also developed the mottoes and passwords.
All was finished by Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, 1888. However, the two met again on Wednesday afternoon, before leaving for the holiday. They met in the Philological Library at the top of the college building. Shaw and Pond embraced and said “Tri Delta is founded.”
Shaw and Pond were intent on getting the other two unaffiliated seniors to join their organization. Florence Stewart quickly agreed, but Isabel Breed took a little more convincing due to her highly religious nature. When she was given the job of chaplain, she relented and joined her friends. The four are considered founders. Soon they were joined by three juniors, five sophomores, and six freshmen. These women were initiated at the Joy Street home of Emily F. Allen on January 15, 1889.
Below are links to posts about previous #WHM profiles. I invite you to learn more about these interesting women.
Janet Greig Post was an initiate of the Knox College chapter.
Janet Greig Post, Delta Delta Delta, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2024
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Dixie Carter was an initiate of the University of Tennessee chapter.
Dixie Carter, Delta Delta Delta, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2023
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Laura Kuykendall was an initiate of Southwestern University chapter.
Laura Kuykendall, Delta Delta Delta, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2022
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Dorothy Allison Carlin was an initiate of the Cornell University chapter.
Dorothy Allison Carlin, Delta Delta Delta, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2021
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Annette Abbott Adams was an initiate of the University of California, Berkeley, chapter.
Annette Abbott Adams, Tri Delta, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2020
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Etta May Budd was initiated at the Alpha chapter at Boston University.
Etta May Budd, Tri Delta, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2019
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Dr. “Mattibelle” Boger Shattuck was an initiate of the Boston University chapter.
Dr. “Mattibelle” Boger Shattuck, Tri Delta, #WHM2018, #notablesororitywomen
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R. Louise Fitch was an initiate of the Knox College chapter.
R. Louise Fitch, Delta Delta Delta, #notablesororitywomen, #WHM2017
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#WHM – Bessie Leach Priddy was a charter member of the Adrian College chapter.
#WHM – Bessie Leach Priddy, Dedicated ΔΔΔ and Dean of Women
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“On the Battle Line” During World War I
Tri Delta “On the Battle Line” During World War I
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Sarah Ida Shaw Martin founded Delta Delta Delta.
Sarah Ida Shaw Martin and the Triangle Windows at 5 Cobden Street
