National History
March 25, 1917
On March 25, 1917, seven young women who exemplified self-confidence and the willingness to take a chance, founded a new sorority at Cornell University. The name chosen, Sigma Delta Phi, was soon changed to Sigma Delta Tau when the women discovered the letters belonged to another Greek organization. Most of the seven had experienced the subtle, but very real, discrimination practiced against religious minorities by many Greek organizations at the time.
In response to the closed doors, and as a way to meet their own social and housing needs, these young women established a sorority which would respect the individuality of its members. The personal growth and social development of each individual was the basis upon which the new organization would be built.
In response to the closed doors, and as a way to meet their own social and housing needs, these young women established a sorority which would respect the individuality of its members. The personal growth and social development of each individual was the basis upon which the new organization would be built.
(From Left to Right)
Dora Bloom, Amy Apfel, Marian Gerber,
Grace Srenco, Inez Ross, Regene Freund,
Lenore Rubinow
Dora Bloom, Amy Apfel, Marian Gerber,
Grace Srenco, Inez Ross, Regene Freund,
Lenore Rubinow
Local History
January 26, 1990
Gamma Xi was colonized at Montclair State University on September 12, 1989. Kerry Raftery, Donna Fitzgerald, Michele Iannetta, Lisa Balcom and Marlene Young decided to form a sorority of their own in the Spring of 1989 because they were unsatisfied with the Greek organizations already established on campus. Originally, our chapter was named Delta Tau while we were still a local group seeking colonization. During the following summer, the young women responsible for starting Gamma Xi had received responses from several different National sororities, offering them chances of establishment. They chose Sigma Delta Tau, and out of 50 girls who expressed interest the previous Spring, 27 were pinned as pledges in the fall.
The 27 founders took the Alpha new member class, and together completed the pearls necessary for them to become initiated members of Sigma Delta Tau. On January 26, 1990, the Gamma Xi chapter of Sigma Delta Tau was officially established at Montclair State University. Since then, we have initiated 43 more new member classes.
The 27 founders took the Alpha new member class, and together completed the pearls necessary for them to become initiated members of Sigma Delta Tau. On January 26, 1990, the Gamma Xi chapter of Sigma Delta Tau was officially established at Montclair State University. Since then, we have initiated 43 more new member classes.
Sigma Delta Tau - 1989
