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| History |
Delta Delta Delta was founded in 1888 at Boston University. Although there were already three existing sororities on campus, Sarah Ida Shaw saw the need for a group that would stand apart from the rest. With these thoughts in mind Sarah enlisted the assistance of her friend Eleanor Dorcas Pond to “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.” By November of that year, the two women had written the constitution, rituals and selected the emblems and insignia for the new fraternity.
On November 27, 1888, Thanksgiving Eve, the two friends swore loyalty and allegiance to Delta Delta Delta under the shadow of the Park Street Church.
Following the holiday break, the women began building the chapter by recruiting the first initiates into Tri Delta. On January 15, 1889, eighteen women were initiated into the chapter, including seniors Florence Isabelle Steward and Isabel Morgan Breed, both of whom are also considered founders.
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| The Founders |
Sarah Ida ShawThe inspirational force behind the founding of Tri Delta was Sarah Ida Shaw. Born in Missouri, Sally (her childhood name) moved to Boston at age six. Sarah was one of the best students in the class of 1889 at Boston University, and her academic excellence was recognized by Phi Beta Kappa. Following graduation, Sarah remained involved with Tri Delta on a number of levels and spent more than 30 years of her life employed as a professional Greek consultant.
Eleanor Dorcas Pond
Eleanor Dorcas Pond was valedictorian of her high school class and was awarded a scholarship to Boston University. A person of high intellectual ability, Eleanor was also a fun-loving but practical young woman, a perfect complement to Sarah Ida Shaw's visionary personality. It was she who suggested the name be a triple letter, and she also influenced the development of the ritual, badge, emblems and Constitution.
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Opening Motto
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"Let us steadfastly love one another."
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| Symbols |
The Pearl
The pearl is the jewel of Tri Delta. It was chosen to symbolize the new member, because it is the one jewel that grows, developing from a tiny grain of sand into a thing of great value and beauty.
The Pine
The pine tree is a symbol of Tri Delta's collegiate members because it represents growth and lofty aspirations.
The Pansy
The pansy is Tri Delta's flower. It is a symbol of alumnae membership and the third step in the lifetime development of Delta Delta Delta’s members.
The dolphin is recognized as our mascot as it was considered to be a good omen by the ancient Greeks. It symbolizes rebirth, friendship and leadership. In Tri Delta, the dolphin is symbolic of clear skies and smooth sailing and has special significance for Fraternity leaders.
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| Badge and Insignia |
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Tri Delta initiates receive a Stars and Crescent badge with her initials, the Greek letters of her chapter and her chapter Initiation number engraved on the back. The badge belongs to Tri Delta and is lent to each member during her lifetime or as long as she remains a member.
The New Member Pin
The new member pin has three open deltas inscribed within an open delta and is made of silver with green enamel. It is worn during the introduction to membership and is returned to the chapter before Initiation.
The Stars and Crescent Badge
The Stars and Crescent badge is the official emblem worn by initiated members of Delta Delta Delta, both collegiate and alumnae. The emblem consists of three stars, crown set with pearls, within a plain Roman golden crescent of three hundred degrees bearing three deltas in black enamel.
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| Coat of Arms |
The coat of arms consists of a shield quartered, first and fourth quarters in blue on each of which is a silver trident, second and third gold on each of which is a green pine tree.
Above the shield, the crest, consisting of a torse with six folds alternating gold and blue, from which rises a white, gold and blue pansy.
Below the shield the open motto, "Let us steadfastly love one another," is inscribed in Greek on a scroll.
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| Colors |
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The colors of Tri Delta are silver, gold and blue. Green is also a significant color for it symbolizes the union of the three colors.
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| Greek Letters |
Using the Greek alphabet the name Delta Delta Delta is depicted above. The Greek letter Delta is the forth letter of the Greek alphabet and is commonly seen as an isosceles triangle.
The letters Delta Delta Delta were selected by the founders because they are both well-balanced and symmetrical, and also because they appear the same in the mirror as they do on the person.
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