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Sorority Terminology
The History of Tri Delta
Tri Delta Sorority started at Boston University in 1888, when Sarah Ida Shaw and Eleanor Dorcus Pond saw a need for a group which would be different from the others. “Let us found a society that shall be kind alike to all and think more of a girl’s inner self and character than of her personal appearance.” Not only did they found a fraternity, but also they wrote the rituals and constitution, and designed the emblems.
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1891 The Trident (The Tri Delta Magazine) is first published on the third anniversary of Tri Delta’s founding.
1892 The first alumnae group, called the Alpha Alumnae Alliance, is formed.
1974 Sleighbell Day, a new national philanthropy, is established to support children’s cancer charities.
1986 The Tri Delta Foundation is created as a 501(c)3 organization to “assist its members in every possible way.”
1991 The Fraternity forms National House Corporation (NHC).
1999 Tri Delta begins its partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
2012 Tri Delta launches BodyImage3D® as a multidimensional approach to body image awareness and education.
2014 Tri Delta receives the St. Jude Partner of the Year Award and announces the largest single pledge in St. Jude’s history, receiving prominent recognition on the hospital’s campus at Tri Delta Place, a short-term housing facility.
Tri Delta is one of the largest national sororities with 17,000 active members, over 140 chapters, and more than 200,000 alumnae. Tri Delta has supported St. Jude Children's Research Hospital since 1999 raising more than $45 million for the hospital. In July 2014 the sorority announced a fundraising commitment of $60 million over 10 years—the largest fundraising commitment in St. Jude's history.
Tri Delta Purpose and Symbols
The Purpose of Tri Delta is 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 is also the Purpose of Tri 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
Greek Letters: Using the Greek alphabet, the name Delta, Delta, Delta or Tri Delta is depicted here. The Greek letter for delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and is commonly seen as an isosceles triangle.
Pearl: The jewel of Tri Delta is the pearl. Because it is the only jewel that grows, developing from a tiny grain of sand into a thing of great value and beauty, it is a symbol of the Fraternity's new members.
Pine Tree: The tree of Tri Delta is the pine tree. The pine is also a symbol of Tri Delta’s collegiate members because it represents growth and lofty aspirations.
Pansy: The flower of Tri Delta is the pansy. It is also the symbol of alumnae membership and the third step in the lifetime development of Tri Delta’s members.
Dolphin: A special symbol of Tri Delta is the dolphin. It was recognized as a good omen by the ancient Greeks and symbolizes clear skies and smooth sailing, It also symbolizes rebirth, friendship and leadership. In Tri Delta, the dolphin has a special significance for Fraternity officers.
Poseidon: The patron Greek divinity of Tri Delta is Poseidon. He is god of the sea and one of the three rulers of the universe
Colors: The primary color of Tri Delta is Cerulean Blue. The primary supporting colors are Gold, Silver, and Bright Blue. Green is also a significant color since it represents the union of three colors
Sorority Terminology
Active Member: An undergraduate who has been initiated into lifelong membership of a sorority.
Associate: An individual who has not yet been initiated into a sorority, yet has full active rights.
Alumna: An initiated member who has married or graduated from college.
Bid: A formal invitation to join a sorority, each potential member can receive only one bid.
Big Sis: An active member and special friend who advises, guides, and mentors a new member.
Chapter: The local collegiate membership of a national sorority.
Exchange: A social event between a fraternity and sorority.
Greek: A member of a sorority or fraternity.
Initiation: A ceremony by which pledges become lifetime members after having completed a satisfactory new member program.
Legacy: A potential member who is a daughter or stepdaughter or sister or stepsister of a Tri Delta member.
National: The composite of all chapters across the nation of a specific Greek organization.
New Member: A potential member who has accepted the bid of a sorority, but has not yet been initiated.
Panhellenic Council (PHC): The governing body of all sororities.
Potential New Member: The guest of a sorority, registered with PHC as interested in being a member of a sorority.
Presents: A ceremony to present the new members of the sorority to their families and the Greek community.
Sorority: A Greek letter sisterhood, also called a women’s fraternity.
Tri Delta Pearl Sister: An active member who serves as a sponsor and guide through the first few weeks of membership, and is paired with a new member on bid night.
Tri Delta Dolphin Sister: After several weeks, another pairing is made between an active member and a new member to further integrate and bond the new members into the house
