Delta Zeta - History

History

Delta Zeta Sorority was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1902. Miami is dubbed the "Mother of Fraternities" because of the many prominent men's fraternities which were founded there.

In 1902, Dr. Guy Potter Benton was elected as the president of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. One of his first actions was to allow young women to enroll in the previously all-male university. That fall, six of the newly admitted female students organized the first sorority chapter.

When these six young women came together in 1902 to form a social sorority, they had a vision of lifetime sisterhood fostered by ideals that they cherished. These friends bonded quickly as they faced the challenges of starting a sorority on a male-dominated campus.

The young women consulted Dr. Benton regarding the founding of such an organization. Having been a leader in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity he was familiar with the processes of a Greek organization and became a valuable resource for the women in the establishment of the first Delta Zeta chapter.

The women were harassed for wanting to form a sorority. In one account, someone stole the constitution out of the secretary's hand but Dr. Benton pursued the offender and retrieved the constitution.

On October 24, 1902, the State of Ohio issued formal Articles of Incorporation establishing the Delta Zeta Sorority. The founding members were: Alfa Lloyd Hayes, Mary Jane Collins, Anna Louise Keen, Julia Lawrence Bishop, Mabelle May Minton, and Anne Dial Simmons.

Dr. Guy Potter Benton aided in preparation of the ritual, badge, and colors. Four new members soon joined the sisterhood, the first of whom was Elizabeth Coulter. Dr. Benton was named the Grand Patron and became the only man ever awarded the Delta Zeta badge.

The sorority joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1910. Through the years, Delta Zeta has absorbed four other sororities: Beta Phi Alpha in 1941, Phi Omega Pi in 1946, Delta Sigma Epsilon in 1956, and Theta Upsilon in 1962. Delta Zeta marked its Centennial Celebration in 2002. Chapters nationwide celebrated the event as well as a special convocation during the summer at the Delta Zeta National Convention.