Delta Gamma - Delta Gamma Firsts

Delta Gamma Firsts

• First fraternity in the United States to establish an independent philanthropic foundation in 1951 in Ohio (Service for Sight)
• The first sorority to have its own in-house printing press
• The only panhellenic group to have its flower registered with the American Rose Society - "Delta Gamma Cream Rose"
• One of the seven original groups that began the National Panhellenic Conference
• The first sorority to build an international headquarters specifically for that purpose
• The first sorority to have seminars and house corporations
• First and only fraternity to sponsor a traveling art exhibit, which was called Art of the Eye and benefited Service for Sight.
• First recipient of the Helen Keller Philanthropic Service Award, given by the American Foundation for the Blind, for assistance to those who are visually impaired and for sight conservation
• First recipient of the Virginia Boyce Award presented by Prevent Blindness America
• First woman’s fraternity to employ a full-time staff member to address the health and wellness needs of its members
• First to have an archivist handling historical materials at the international headquarters
• First to receive recognition from the American Academy of Ophthalmology for Distinguished Public Service
• First to establish challenge grants in values in ethics, through the Dorothy Garrett Martin Lectureship in Values and Ethics