Penning Delta Zeta’s History: Grace Mason Lundy, Order of the Laurel

March kicks off Women’s History Month, and this year’s national theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” Throughout Delta Zeta’s history, we have had many members who lived this through their actions on behalf of the sorority. A cherished tradition from Theta Upsilon, which merged with Delta Zeta in 1962, the Order of the Laurel honors members for sorority service of unusual merit and covering a period of many years. According to the Delta Zeta Constitution, Article XX, National Awards, Section 3, The Order of the Laurel was established to honor those members for sorority service of exceptional merit covering a period of many years.

Grace Mason, initiated into Epsilon Chapter at Indiana University, served her chapter as editor and president. Graduating in 1919 with a degree in Sociology and Economics, she was en route to graduate study in social work when she attended the 1922 National Convention in Ithaca, New York. It was at this convention Delta Zeta planned to open a Central Officeand Grace was selected to serve as the sorority’s first Executive Secretary. She held this position four years, doubling as Historian on National Council and issuing the  first Delta Zeta History in December, 1923.

After her marriage in May, 1926, to Hubert M. Lundy, she served as LAMP Editor (1926-28) and Delta Zeta’s first employed visiting delegate from 1928-1930. From 1930-34, she was National Alumnae Vice President; 1934-1936, LAMP Editor and Chairman of the History and Ritual committees ; 1936-1938, History Chairman; 1938-1940, Extension Vice President; 1940-1946, National President; 1946-1948, Past National President. From 1948 to 1983 as Chairman of the History committee she produced the Golden Anniversary Historical Issue of The LAMP (Volume 41, Number 4 and Volume 42, Number 1 in May and September, 1952) and the fourth History Issue of the LAMP in 1967. In 1948, Council established the Grace Mason Lundy Award “in recognition of her many years of loyal and devoted service to Delta Zeta.” The award is “presented to senior members of Delta Zeta who throughout their college years have given greatest evidence of loyalty, devotion and service to their chapters and to their sorority.

Two of Grace’s sisters were Delta Zetas, Miriam Mason Swain and Rachel Mason Peden. Both were published journalists and Delta Zeta Women of the Year in 1966 and 1972, respectively. Grace’s only daughter, Cynthia, was the 1950 Convention initiate and served as National Vice President of Alumnae on the 1970-1973 Council.