About Tri Delta

  • One life. One love. One letter. ∆∆∆

     

  • Because our founders were young women of great vision, Delta Delta Delta has been national in concept from its inception. Less than three years after its founding, Tri Delta was recognized as an established national organization and was invited to participate in the first Panhellenic meeting. The fraternity’s accomplishments through the years have placed it among the leaders of the Greek world.

 

  • Quick Tri Delta Facts

     

    • One of the seven organizations founding the National Panhellenic School (NPS)
    • The first women’s fraternity to hold a national Leadership Conference
    • The first to establish a central office (now called Executing Office)
    • Chosen to participate in campus expansion programs at many fine institutions when they first opened to NPS fraternities
    • Concentrated its national philanthropic efforts on higher education and has been praised by educators for theses contributions through the Founder’s Anniversary Fellowships, the Zoe Gore Perrin Scholarships and the endowment of the National Humanities Center
    • Led National Panhellenic Council (NPC) organizations in the number of members listed in the first edition of Who’s Who of American Women, and many other members have been added in subsequent editions

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  • Purpose

    The purpose of Delta Delta Delta shall be to establish a perpetual bond of friendship among its members, to develop a stronger and more womanly character, to broaden the moral and intellectual life, and to assist its members in every possible way.

     

    It shall also be the purpose of Delta Delta Delta to promote and develop mutually beneficial relationships between the Fraternity and the colleges and universities where the Fraternity has established chapters, to develop qualities of unselfish leadership among its members, and to encourage them to assume, with integrity and devotion to moral and democratic principles, the highest responsibilities of college women.

     

    Open Motto

    As-‘Fah-Los Aga-Po-Men Al-Lay-Las

    Let us steadfastly love one another

     

    Symbols

    Jewel: The pearl was chosen to symbolize the new member because it is the one jewel that grows, developing from a tiny nucleus into a thing of value and beauty.

     

    Flower: The pansy is symbolic of our alumnae and of the third step in the lifetime development of Delta Delta Delta members.

     

    Tree: The pine tree was chosen to represent the collegiate member.

     

    Dolphin: To the ancient Greeks, the dolphin was a good omen symbolizing rebirth, friendship, and leadership. Poseidon was pictured driving a chariot pulled by dolphins. In Tri Delta the dolphin is symbolic of “clear skies and smooth sailing” and has a special significance for the Fraternity’s elected officers.

     

    Flag: The flag was adopted by the 1906 Convention. The flag is rectangular with three vertical bars, the first sea green with three white deltas, the second white with a green pine tree and the third sea green with three white stars.

     

    Patron: The patron Greek divinity is Poseidon, god of the sea and one of the three rulers of the universe.

     

    Colors: The colors are silver, gold, and blue (cerulean). The green of the new member pin represents the union of the three colors.

     

    The Coat of Arms: The coat of arms was designed by Richard B. Lockwood of New York and adopted by the 1906 Convention. It is a quartered shield. The first and fourth quarters are blue, on which is a silver trident. The second and third quarters are gold, on each of which is a pine tree. Above the shield is the crest, which consists of a torse with six folds alternating gold and blue, from which rises a white, gold, and blue pansy. Below the shield is the motto, “Let us steadfastly love one another” written in Greek on a scroll.