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About DZ
Our Purpose
The purpose of this sorority shall be to unite its members in the bonds of sincere and lasting friendship, to stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge, to promote the moral and social culture of its members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action; objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose of associated effort. The purpose of this sorority shall be advanced through the National Convention, the National Council, and the college and alumnae chapters.
History
In 1902, Dr. Guy Potter Benton was elected as the new President of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. One of the first things that Dr. Benton did was to allow young women to enroll in the currently all-male University. That coming fall, six of the newly admitted female students organized the first sorority chapter, an idea that was widely accepted due to the free fraternities that already existed on campus.
The date was October 24th, 1902, and the event is still changing lives today. It was on this day that the Delta Zeta Sorority was founded. There were six founders, six extraordinary women:
- Julia Bishop,
- Anne Simmons,
- Mary Collins,
- Mabelle Minton,
- Anna Keen,
- and Alfa Lloyd
Dr. Benton helped in preparation of a ritual, badge, and colors. Four pledges soon became part of the sisterhood, Elizabeth Coulter being the first. Dr. Benton was named as Grand Patron, and became the first and only man to ever wear the Delta Zeta badge.
Delta Zeta is one of the sororities with the largest number of college chapters. Our 162 college chapters and 2 colonies are distributed from coast to coast, while our 250 alumnae chapters offer continuing association in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as the United Kingdom and Canada. Currently, there are over 180,000 college and alumnae members of Delta Zeta.
Delta Zeta National Headquarters is located in Oxford, Ohio. DZ’s quarterly magazine, The Lamp of Delta Zeta, is sent to all collegiate and alumnae members.
The DZ pin is in the Smithsonian as the most beautiful pin and was also honored by Tiffany & Co.!
Delta Zeta was admitted into the National Panhellenic Council in 1910. Our chapter, Alpha Gamma, was founded at the University of Alabama on September 9, 1922.