Kappa Delta
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Kappa Delta (ΚΔ) is a sorority founded at the State Female Normal School, now Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. It currently has over 186,000 alumnae, 10,000 undergraduate members with 128 active college chapters. Kappa Delta also has 487 chartered alumnae associations, the most of any NPC group. Its headquarters are located in Memphis, Tennessee.
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[edit] History
Kappa Delta was founded by Lenora Ashmore Blackiston, Mary Sommerville Sparks Hendrick, Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson, and Sara Turner White on the beliefs of friendship, fellowship and sisterly love. Kappa Delta has the distinction of being the only sorority to become a member of the National Panhellenic Conference immediately upon petition.
The Founders of KΔ:
 Lenora Ashmore Blackiston |
 Mary Sommerville Sparks Hendrick |
 Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson |
 Sara Turner White |
[edit] Famous First
Kappa Delta became the first National Panhellenic Conference group to form partnerships with various women's organizations that have a great effect on the role of women in leadership positions. Kappa Delta Sorority is partners with the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. which has a great impact on women's community leadership, the Girl Scouts of the USA, and the Women's Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. Kappa Delta has founded National Women's Friendship Day to celebrate the friendships among women in this country. It is celebrated on the third Sunday in September. Kappa Delta has also teamed up with Dove to promote the Campaign for True Beauty. This programs teaches girls and women to have self-esteem, be confident in themselves, and to accept themselves for who they are.
[edit] Kappa Delta Beliefs
- The Purpose:
The purpose of Kappa Delta Sorority is to promote true friendship among the college girls of our country by inculcating into their hearts and lives those principles of truth, of honor, of duty, without which there can be no true friendship.
- The Object
The object of Kappa Delta Sorority is the formation and perpetuation of good fellowship, friendship and sisterly love among its members; the encouragement of literature and education; the promotion of social interest; and the furtherance of charitable and benevolent purposes.
- The Creed
May We, Sisters in Kappa Delta, strive each day to seek more earnestly the honorable and beautiful things. May We each day through love of those within our circle, Learn to know and understand better those without our circle. May the diamond shield that guards our love find us each day Truer, Wiser, More Faithful, More Loving, and More Noble.
- Open Motto
Ta Kala Diokomen. Let us strive for that which is honorable, beautiful and highest.
- Vision
Kappa Delta Sorority is committed to providing opportunities and experiences that inspire women to greatness.
- Mission Statement
Kappa Delta Sorority is a national organization for women committed to:
-Inspiring our members to reach their full potential;
-Preparing our members for community service, active leadership and responsible citizenship;
-Creating opportunities for lifetime involvement through innovative and responsive programs, and strategic collaborations and partnerships; and
-Fostering the development of our time-honored values within the context of friendship.
[edit] Philanthropy
Every Kappa Delta collegiate chapter holds a "Shamrock Event" to raise money for their national philanthrophy, Prevent Child Abuse America, as well as a local philanthropy of their chapter's choice.
[edit] Notable alumnae
For a full list of notable Kappa Delta alumnae please visit here. [1]
Arts and Entertainment
- Ellen Albertini Dow (Omega Chi-Cornell) - Actress, best known as the “Rappin Granny” in The Wedding Singer
- Ali Landry (Gamma Kappa-Louisiana/Lafayette) - Actress, Miss USA 1996; one of People magazine’s 1998 “50 Most Beautiful People”; Frito-Lay spokesperson "Doritos Girl"
- Georgia O'Keeffe (Beta-Chatham Episcopal) - Artist, Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
- Debbie Maffett Wilson (Gamma Rho-Sam Houston State) - Crowned Miss America in 1983
Media
- Pearl S. Buck (Theta-Randolph Macon) - Nobel Prize Winner, Pulitzer Prize Winner
- Sara James (Beta Alpha-Virginia) - NBC reporter; award-winning correspondent for Dateline NBC.
- Joan Lowery Nixon (Theta Sigma-USC) - Author
Military
- Claudia Kennedy (Alpha Delta-Rhodes) - Highest ranking female officer in US Army history (now retired)
Government
- Kathleen Babineau Blanco (Gamma Kappa-Louisiana/Lafayette) - First female elected Governor of Louisiana
- Jean Carpenter Carnahan (Epsilon Alpha-Missouri/Rolla) - U.S. Senator Missouri 2000-2002
- Bonnie Dunbar (Sigma Iota-Washington) - NASA Astronaut
- Christine O' Grady Gregoire (Sigma Iota-Washington) - Governor of Washington
Business
- Patricia Polito Miller (Sigma Upsilon-Indiana) - Vera Bradley Designs Co-Owner/President
- Suzy Spafford (Beta Rho-San Diego State) - Creator of the Suzy's Zoo greeting cards
