Kappa Delta
Encyclopedia
Kappa Delta was the first sorority founded at the State Female Normal School
(now Longwood University
), in Farmville, Virginia
. It is one of the "Farmville Four" sororities founded at the university. (The others are Alpha Sigma Alpha
, Sigma Sigma Sigma
, and Zeta Tau Alpha
; a clock tower at the university campus with a clock face representing each sorority is dedicated to the four).
Kappa Delta has over 205,000 members, more than 14,000 undergraduate members in 140 active collegiate chapters. Kappa Delta also has more than 510 chartered alumnae chapters, the most of any National Panhellenic Conference
(NPC) group. Its headquarters are located in Memphis, Tennessee
.
immediately upon petition. Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson, was the granddaughter of the former U.S. President John Tyler and was named after her grandmother, First Lady Julia Gardiner Tyler.
The Founders of KΔ:
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 has partnered with the Association of Junior Leagues International
, 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 Sorority has also adopted Prevent Child Abuse America as their Philanthropy.
Kappa Delta founded National Women's Friendship Day to celebrate the friendships among women in this country. It was celebrated on the third Sunday in September until 2009 when the celebration was extended to the entire month of September as National Women's Friendship Month. As of 2010, September is now International Women's Friendship Month, as Kappa Delta took its vision global.
Kappa Delta has also teamed up with Dove to promote the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty
. This program teaches girls and women to have self-esteem, be confident in themselves, and to accept themselves for who they are.
Kappa Delta also started the KiDs Need to be KiDs Campaign after Hurricane Katrina. The campaign brought toys to kids who were affected by the Hurricane. The campaign was relaunched to help those affected by the fires in California.
Kappa Delta sorority has the most philanthropies of any NPC sorority (4 organizations).
, Prevent Child Abuse America, the Children's Hospital of Richmond, Virginia, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Every Kappa Delta collegiate and alumnae chapters hold an annual "Shamrock Event" to raise money for Prevent Child Abuse America; events range from sports events to fashion shows. Since 1986 when the Shamrock Project was founded, Kappa Deltas have raised 8.5 million dollars to prevent child abuse in the United States. Many KD chapters decide to adopt a local Girl Scout troop, helping with troop activities and service unit events including uniquelyMe! programs, programs with the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, and Studio 2B.
Literature
Military
Government
Business
Athletics
Philanthropy & Service
Longwood University
Longwood University is a four-year public, liberal-arts university located in Farmville, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1839 and became a university on July 1, 2002...
(now Longwood University
Longwood University
Longwood University is a four-year public, liberal-arts university located in Farmville, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1839 and became a university on July 1, 2002...
), in Farmville, Virginia
Farmville, Virginia
Farmville is a town in Prince Edward and Cumberland counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 6,845 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Prince Edward County....
. It is one of the "Farmville Four" sororities founded at the university. (The others are Alpha Sigma Alpha
Alpha Sigma Alpha
Alpha Sigma Alpha is a US national sorority founded on November 15, 1901 at the Virginia State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia...
, Sigma Sigma Sigma
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Sigma Sigma Sigma , also known as Tri Sigma, is a national American women’s sorority with membership of more than 100,000 members. Sigma Sigma Sigma is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference and hosts chapters on more than 110 college campuses and 89 alumnae chapters in communities all...
, and Zeta Tau Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha
Zeta Tau Alpha is a women's fraternity, founded October 15, 1898 at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia. The Executive office is located in Indianapolis, Indiana...
; a clock tower at the university campus with a clock face representing each sorority is dedicated to the four).
Kappa Delta has over 205,000 members, more than 14,000 undergraduate members in 140 active collegiate chapters. Kappa Delta also has more than 510 chartered alumnae chapters, the most of any National Panhellenic Conference
National Panhellenic Conference
The National Panhellenic Conference , founded in 1902, is an umbrella organization for 26 national women's sororities.Each member group is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae...
(NPC) group. Its headquarters are located in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
.
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 ConferenceNational Panhellenic Conference
The National Panhellenic Conference , founded in 1902, is an umbrella organization for 26 national women's sororities.Each member group is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae...
immediately upon petition. Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson, was the granddaughter of the former U.S. President John Tyler and was named after her grandmother, First Lady Julia Gardiner Tyler.
The Founders of KΔ:
| Lenora Ashmore Blackiston |  Mary Sommerville Sparks Hendrick |
 Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson |
 Sara Turner White |
Famous Firsts
Kappa Delta was the first sorority that was accepted into the National Panhellenic Conference as soon as they petitioned to join.Kappa Delta became the first National Panhellenic Conference
National Panhellenic Conference
The National Panhellenic Conference , founded in 1902, is an umbrella organization for 26 national women's sororities.Each member group is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women and alumnae...
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 has partnered with the Association of Junior Leagues International
Junior League
The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. is a non-profit organization of 292 Junior Leagues in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom and the United States. Junior Leagues are educational and charitable women's organizations aimed at improving their communities through volunteerism and...
, which has a great impact on women's community leadership, the Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scouts of the USA
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
, and the Women's Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee.
Kappa Delta Sorority has also adopted Prevent Child Abuse America as their Philanthropy.
Kappa Delta has also teamed up with Dove to promote the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty
Dove Campaign for Real Beauty
The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is a worldwide marketing campaign launched in 2004 that includes advertisements, video, workshops, sleepover events and even the publication of a book and the production of a play...
. This program teaches girls and women to have self-esteem, be confident in themselves, and to accept themselves for who they are.
Kappa Delta also started the KiDs Need to be KiDs Campaign after Hurricane Katrina. The campaign brought toys to kids who were affected by the Hurricane. The campaign was relaunched to help those affected by the fires in California.
Kappa Delta sorority has the most philanthropies of any NPC sorority (4 organizations).
Philanthropy
Kappa Delta supports four national philanthropies: Girl Scouts of the USAGirl Scouts of the USA
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
, Prevent Child Abuse America, the Children's Hospital of Richmond, Virginia, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Every Kappa Delta collegiate and alumnae chapters hold an annual "Shamrock Event" to raise money for Prevent Child Abuse America; events range from sports events to fashion shows. Since 1986 when the Shamrock Project was founded, Kappa Deltas have raised 8.5 million dollars to prevent child abuse in the United States. Many KD chapters decide to adopt a local Girl Scout troop, helping with troop activities and service unit events including uniquelyMe! programs, programs with the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, and Studio 2B.
Notable members
Arts and Entertainment- Brooke AndersonBrooke AndersonBrooke Victoria Anderson is co-host of The Insider. Previously, she was a culture and entertainment anchor and producer for CNN and served as co-host for Showbiz Tonight on HLN. Based in CNN's Los Angeles, California bureau, Anderson joined the network in July 2000.Anderson graduated in 2000 with...
(Sigma Phi-University of Georgia) - journalist and anchor for Showbiz TonightShowbiz TonightShowbiz Tonight is an American entertainment news program on HLN .Showbiz Tonight is hosted by A.J. Hammer at CNN New York. The show reports and debates celebrity entertainment news stories and controversies, along with social networking segments involving viewer interaction via social networks and... - Ellen Albertini DowEllen Albertini DowEllen Albertini Dow is an American character actress. She often portrays feisty old ladies and is perhaps best known as the rapping grandmother who performs in the feature film The Wedding Singer...
(Omega Chi-Cornell) - actress (The Wedding SingerThe Wedding SingerThe Wedding Singer is a 1998 romantic comedy film written by Tim Herlihy and directed by Frank Coraci. It stars Adam Sandler as a wedding singer in the 1980s and Drew Barrymore as a waitress with whom he falls in love....
, Wedding CrashersWedding CrashersWedding Crashers is a 2005 American comedy film directed by David Dobkin. It stars Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, with Christopher Walken, Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher, Bradley Cooper, Diora Baird, Jane Seymour, and an uncredited Will Ferrell....
) - Ali LandryAli LandryAli Germaine Landry is a former Miss USA , model and actress. She is perhaps best known as the Doritos Girl from her 1998 Super Bowl commercial, and for her portrayal of Rita Lefleur on the UPN sitcom Eve. In 1998, she was named by People magazine as one of 50 most beautiful people in the world.-...
(Gamma Kappa-Louisiana/Lafayette) - actress, Miss USAMiss USAThe Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
1996; one of People magazine’s 1998 “50 Most Beautiful People”; Frito-Lay spokesperson "Doritos Girl" - Georgia O'KeeffeGeorgia O'KeeffeGeorgia Totto O'Keeffe was an American artist.Born near Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, O'Keeffe first came to the attention of the New York art community in 1916, several decades before women had gained access to art training in America’s colleges and universities, and before any of its women artists...
(Beta-Chatham Episcopal) - artist, Presidential Medal of FreedomPresidential Medal of FreedomThe Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
Recipient - Debbie Maffett WilsonDebra MaffettDebra Sue Maffett was Miss America 1983. Although she competed in the Miss Texas pageant several years without winning, she moved to California and was subsequently crowned Miss California. She represented California when she won the Miss America crown. Debbie graduated from S.P...
(Gamma Rho-Sam Houston State) - 1983 Miss America - Leigh Anne Roberts TuohyLeigh Anne TuohyLeigh Anne Roberts Tuohy is an American interior designer. She is best known for being featured in Michael Lewis's 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, and its 2009 feature film adaptation The Blind Side...
(Alpha Mu-University of Mississippi) - subject of the 2009 film The Blind Side - Lane LindellLane LindellMerica Lane Lindell, from Tampa, Florida, is a United States model and beauty pageant contestant who got appointed as Miss World United States 2008. As a model she has worked for Abercrombie and Fitch,. , St...
(Sigma Phi-University of Georgia) - model, Miss United States World 2008 - Mari WilenskyMari WilenskyMari Wilensky was Miss Florida for 2005, and she placed in the Top 10 in the Miss America pageant. She has been involved in pageantry since the age of 6, and has competed in both the Miss USA and Miss America competitions. She is from Jacksonville, Florida, and went to Bolles High School...
(Beta Pi - University of Florida) - Miss Florida 2005, Miss America 2006 Top Ten Finalist - Breanne Ponder (Beta Sigma - University of Southern Mississippi) - Miss Mississippi USA 2010
- Rachael ToddRachael ToddRachael Christine Todd is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Oviedo, Florida who was named Miss Florida 2009. She had previously won Miss Suncoast. Todd represented Florida in the 2010 Miss America pageant....
(Epsilon Omicron - University of Central Florida) - Miss Florida 2009 - Liz CochranLiz Cochran-Biography:Liz Cochran is a native of Helena, Alabama and graduate of Pelham High School. She attends Birmingham-Southern College, majoring in dance and Pre-Medicine and is a member of First Baptist Church of Pelham-Competitions:...
(Alpha Upsilon - Birmingham Southern College) - Miss Alabama 2009 - Susie CastilloSusie CastilloSusie Castillo is a former beauty queen who held the Miss USA title and competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss Universe pageants...
(Alpha Iota-University of California, Los Angeles) - Miss USA 2003.
Literature
- Pearl S. BuckPearl S. BuckPearl Sydenstricker Buck also known by her Chinese name Sai Zhenzhu , was an American writer who spent most of her time until 1934 in China. Her novel The Good Earth was the best-selling fiction book in the U.S. in 1931 and 1932, and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932...
(Theta-Randolph Macon) - Nobel PrizeNobel PrizeThe Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
Winner, Pulitzer PrizePulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
Winner - Joan Lowery NixonJoan Lowery NixonJoan Lowery Nixon was an American journalist and author, specializing in historical fiction and mysteries for children and young adults.-Biography:...
(Theta Sigma-USC) - author
Military
- Claudia KennedyClaudia KennedyClaudia Jean Kennedy is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army. She is the first female to reach the rank of three-star general in the U.S. Army. She retired in 2000 after 31 years of military service.-Early life:...
(Alpha Delta-Rhodes) - first female three star general in the Army (now retired)
Government
- Kathleen Babineaux BlancoKathleen BlancoKathleen Babineaux Blanco was the 54th Governor of Louisiana, having served from January 2004 until January 2008. She was the first woman to be elected to the office of governor of Louisiana....
(Gamma Kappa-Louisiana/Lafayette) - first female elected Governor of Louisiana - Jean Carpenter CarnahanJean CarnahanJean Anne Carpenter Carnahan is an American politician and writer who served in the United States Senate from 2001 to 2002. A Democrat, she was appointed to the Senate to fill the seat of her posthumously elected husband, becoming the first woman to represent Missouri in the Senate.-Biography:Born...
(Epsilon Alpha-Missouri/Rolla) - U.S. Senator MissouriMissouriMissouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
2000-2002 - Bonnie Dunbar (Sigma Iota-Washington) - NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Astronaut - Christine O' Grady GregoireChristine GregoireChristine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire is the 22nd and current Governor of the state of Washington, and a member of the Democratic Party. Gregoire defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the second female governor of Washington...
(Sigma Iota-Washington) - Governor of Washington
Business
- Suzy SpaffordSuzy SpaffordSuzy Spafford, also known as Suzy Spafford Lidstrom, is an American cartoonist best known for drawing whimsical animal characters. Her "Suzy's Zoo" line of greeting cards, stickers, stationery, calendars, and similar products is sold in thousands of stores all over the world...
(Beta Rho-San Diego State) - creator of the Suzy's Zoo greeting cards - Patricia Polito Miller (Sigma Upsilon-Indiana University) - Co-Owner/President of Vera BradleyVera BradleyVera Bradley Designs, Inc. is an American design company best known for its soft, brightly patterned bags. The Fort Wayne, Indiana company produces a variety of products, including quilted cotton luggage, handbags and accessories. There are more than 3500 retailers of Vera Bradley and stand alone...
Designs
Athletics
- Trischa ZornTrischa ZornTrischa Zorn, born June 1, 1964 in Orange, California, is a United States swimmer. Blind from birth, she competes in Paralympic swimming . She is, at present, the most successful athlete in the history of the Paralympic Games, having won 55 medals, of which 41 are gold...
(Pi-University of Nebraska) - Paralympian
Philanthropy & Service
- Emily Elizabeth DouglasEmily Elizabeth DouglasEmily Elizabeth Douglas is the founder and executive director of Grandma's Gifts Incorporated. She is from Powell, Ohio, and currently works for Battelle Memorial Institute with Battelle for Kids....
(Gamma Nu) - Founder and Executive Director of Grandma's GiftsGrandma's GiftsGrandma's Gifts is an incorporated, non-profit organization started by Emily Elizabeth Douglas in 1993 at age 11, in memory of her grandmother. The organization provides goods and services to impoverished children and their families while focusing on Appalachian areas of the United States...
. - Donna J. StoneDonna J. StoneDonna J. Stone was an American poet and philanthropist. Several of her poems were published individually, both before and after her death, as well as a book of poetry entitled Wielder of Words: A Collection of Poems. Wielder of Words, edited by Ms...
(Lambda) - Founder of Prevent Child Abuse America