History
In the early 1900s it was very common for Greek letter organizations to form in high schools. This information can be found in their history book, The Diamond Years of Delta Theta Tau by Teresa McAllister. Many of the high school organization did not extend past their immediate schools. Delta Theta Tau would become much more.
The organization began as the Tyrolean Club. On October 16, 1903, the name was changed to Delta Theta Tau. The new fraternity name was chosen at the home of Betsy Gordon. That evening there was much to discuss. Ethel Busch was chosen as their leader, olive green and white for colors, and they drew up a constitution. With the motto, "Grit Wins", the motto of their high school class, they had a new organization. Initially the organization was solely social in nature. They celebrated their new organization that evening with an oyster supper prepared by Mrs. Gordon. The first pledges were Bess Staigers, Charline Knapp Murray, Anna Hilling, Della Ault and Florence Jackson.
The Beta Chapter was installed on February 9, 1905 in Elwood, Indiana. Also in 1905, Winnie Hartley of Muncie, Indiana designed the badge, which has remained the same ever since. Nora Spurgeon Charman was the first of the founders to die and it was in her honor that the founders' names would be included in the ritual. The first convention was held in 1906. In 1907 the third chapter was installed in Tipton, Indiana. By 1913, there were 11 active chapters.
The sorority's newsletter, Grit, was first published in 1917. By 1920, Delta Theta Tau had 18 chapters. Today there are 109 active chapters total, as well as 53 alumnae chapters.
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