Sigma Delta Tau


Sigma Delta Tau is an American sorority and member of the National Panhellenic Conference. Sigma Delta Tau was founded on March 25, 1917, at Cornell University by Jewish women. However, there is no religious requirement for membership to the sorority. Sigma Delta Tau has over 70,000 initiates from 105 chapters around the United States. It is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference.

History

Sigma Delta Tau was founded on March 25, 1917, at Cornell University by seven Jewish women. Its founders were students Dora Bloom Turteltaub, Amy Apfel Tishman, Marian Gerber Greenberg, Grace Srenco Grossman, Inez Dane Ross, Regene Freund Cohane and Lenore Rubinow. The original name, Sigma Delta Phi, was changed after the women discovered a sorority with the same name already existed.
The sorority was formed as a local organization, with no plans for expansion. However,a second chapter was formed at the University of Pennsylvania in 1920, followed by a chapter at Ohio State University in 1921. By 1930, Sigma Delta Tau had chartered ten chapters and had initiated 540 members. It also had established alumnae chapters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; New York City; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The sorority is governed by an executive council that is elected at a biennial convention.
There is no religious requirement for membership to the sorority, and it prides itself on being inclusive of all, as well as being historically Jewish. Sigma Delta Tau has over 70,000 initiates from 105 chapters around the United States. Its headquarters is in Carmel, Indiana.

Symbols

Sigma Delta Tau's motto is Patriae Multae Spes Una or "one Hope of Many People". The colors of Sigma Delta Tau are cafe au lait and old blue. The sorority's symbol is the torch. Its flower is the golden tea rose. Its jewel is lapis lazuli.
The Sigma Delta Tau badge is a jeweled gold torch with Greek letters ΣΔΤ, with six pearls, and a diamond on the flame. The new member pin is round with a background of blue enamel with a gold torch enameled in old blue.
Its publication, The Torch, was established in 1922.

Philanthropy

The current national philanthropies of Sigma Delta Tau are Prevent Child Abuse America, the Sigma Delta Tau Foundation, and Jewish Women International.
Prevent Child Abuse America was selected as Sigma Delta Tau's National Philanthropy in 1982. Each Sigma Delta Tau chapter conducts an annual service project, educational program or major fund raiser for the benefit of Prevent Child Abuse America. Since 1982, Sigma Delta Tau has donated more than $3 million to PCAA.
The Sigma Delta Tau Foundation was chosen as an official philanthropic partner in 2017.

Chapters

Sigma Delta Tau currently has 64 active collegiate chapters across North America.

Governance

The national president of Sigma Delta Tau is voted on by the chapters and National Council Members every two years.

Notable members