Defunct North American Collegiate Sororities - Phi Delta

Phi Delta

Phi Delta grew from two sororities: Sigma Epsilon (New York University, 1919) and Alpha Delta Omicron (New York State Teachers College at Albany). The two sororities came together to form Phi Delta on January 19, 1927. (Although October 25, 1919 was the official founding date). Baird's (1930) stated the objects are "to create a friendly spirit among the girls of the institutions represented, to uphold the honor spirit of the institution, and to develop the abilities of members for most effective college life" (p. 322).

By 1930, there was 6 active chapters with a total of 223 members:

1919 Alpha New York State College

1919 Beta New York University (NYU)

1927 Gamma UCLA

1927 Epsilon Cincinnati

1927 Zeta George Washington University (GWU)

1929 Eta Temple University

SUNY Albany's online archives state that Phi Delta was founded for Protestant women, and that it was the first sorority for Protestant women founded at a state university.

Baird's (1930) described the insignia "The badge is a Phi, studded with pearls, superimposed upon a plain gold Delta. The pledge pin is a black shield with a gold sword and star. Colors are gold and black. The flower is the yellow tea rose" (p. 322). The Phi Delt was the bi-monthly magazine.

Butterfield (p. 42) described the coat- of arms as "sable a sinister bend or, superimposed by a white open book proper on which in turn is superimposed a torch palewise or, flamed argent. Crest. An eagle displayed, or". The motto was the sorority's name, and placed on the banner underneath the shield.

Phi Delta suffered from the Great Depression. In 1935, the NYU and GWU chapters affiliated with Beta Phi Alpha; Cincinnati became an Alpha Delta Pi chapter. UCLA struggled for a short time as a local, and ultimately dissolved. Albany remained a local until 1973 (Baird's).