Delta Gamma History

Delta Gamma began in 1873 at Lewis School in Oxford , Mississippi in an effort to unite woman with common goals and aspirations for the future. Three young women founded Delta Gamma: Mary Comfort Leonard, Eva Webb Dodd and Anna Boyd Ellington. These three women choose “H” as their emblem as it stood for hope and in 1877 they replace it with an anchor badge. In 1844 the first Anchora magazine was published and shortly thereafter the cream colored rose was chosen as the fraternity flower at a convention in Madison , Wisconsin.

By 1936 Delta Gamma was growing rapidly and they started their own philanthropy, aiding the blind.. Delta Gamma celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1998. Each year in March Delta Gamma celebrated Founders Day, a day of reunion with sisters and a time for renewal of friendship and rededication to the fraternity and its ideals.


Gamma Sigma History

As early as 1940, Houston alumnae were interested in starting a Delta Gamma Chapter at the University of Houston . It was not until 1955 that the University of Houston Board of regents gave approval for local fraternities and sororities to petition nation organizations of their choice.

Following interviews and parties with the Houston alumnae, the Pi Lambda Chi local group formally petitioned Delta Gamma. This local group, founded in 1940 was the second oldest women’s group on campus. The members met to form a lasting foundation for enriching university life, building character and improving scholarship. Members of the sorority had distinguished themselves as campus leaders and the group won many honors during the fifteen years they had been on campus.

A letter from Mary Ann Geraghty, president of Pi Lambda Chi date July 16, 1955, says, “May I tell on behalf of Pi Lambda Chi how proud we are of the privilege of petitioning Delta Gamma. We realize that we have very much to learn, but that with your guidance we shall be selected to become Gamma Sigma chapter of Delta Gamma next spring. I can assure you that Pi Lambda Chi is eager to cooperate with Delta Gamma in every way to prepare our group for future membership.”

Twenty pledge and active members of Pi Lambda Chi traveled by charter bus to University of Texas on November 20, 1955 where they were pledged by Beta Eta members. Installation weekend began on Friday, February 3, 1956 . Initiation was held on February 4th by members of Gamma Nu chapter, North Texas State College. An installation banquet followed in the evening at Lakeside Country Club. Gamma Sigma became the 85th chapter of Delta Gamma and the 7th in Texas .

Today, the Gamma Sigma chapter has become one of the most popular and highly spirited group in the UH community. In fact, last year they received the Most Spirited Campus Organization 2002-2003 and qualified for the Greek Chapter of the Year 2003-2004. Gamma Sigma members exhibit strength not only socially but academically and philanthropically. Just last semester, the chapter’s GPA ranked first in the Greek community, and raised a record-breaking $2000 at their spring Putt-Putt tournament.