Cornell Delta Gamma
"Doing Good" at Cornell for more than 140 years
History of Delta Gamma
On Christmas Day in 1873, snow-blocked roads made it impossible for three young women at the Lewis School for Girls in Oxford, Mississippi to return home. Together that snowy day, Anna Boyd Ellington, Mary Comfort Leonard and Eva Webb Dodd endeavored to create a club of “mutual helpfulness” and Delta Gamma was born.
Our founders chose the Greek letters Delta and Gamma because of their desire to “Do Good.” It remains Delta Gamma’s motto today and a driving force in all we do. They wanted a sisterhood built on a commitment to making the world better not only through service, but also a deep appreciation for each individual and together they laid the foundation for a rich legacy built on the sound and tested principals of personal integrity, personal responsibility and intellectual honesty.
DG is now an international Fraternity with 150 collegiate chapters, over 250,000 members and more than 220 alumnae groups. Delta Gamma's sisterhood continues to inspire women through these timeless values. But you can't tell the story of Delta Gamma without speaking of hope. In 1877, the Fraternity adopted the anchor as our symbol, the age-old symbol for hope.
“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.”
Chi's Story - Celebrating 140 Years at Cornell in 2025!
Chi chapter of Delta Gamma was inaugurated at Cornell University on March 7, 1885, by eight women. The women were described in the June 1885 ANCHORA Magazine as: “our dignified Rachel Meyers, our grave Lucy Alvord, sweet Kate E. Selmser, the scribe, Fredrika Meloy, poetical Esther Sanford, wise Anna Wideman, stern Carrie Bristol, and merry Ida Brett.” The high standards maintained by Chi chapter in the selection of its membership are reflected by the large number of alumnae who have attained prominence. Many alumnae have continued their interest in the fraternity through their activity on local, province, national and international levels.
Our Crest
Our Flower
The cream colored rose
Our Mascot
The Hannah Doll