Women’s History Month: Belonging

Delta Zeta is a beautiful combination of individual members, many of whom came to the Sorority through the four national mergers we’ve celebrated in our history. Read more below about these significant events from the Summer 1990 LAMP article by Susan Mease Samford, Alpha Pi-Samford (AL).

We often speak of Delta Zeta as the sum of its parts – the collegians, the alumnae, the college chapters, the alumnae chapters – all of which make up the sorority. There is, however, another element which we need to remember has been added to the mix. Four other national sororities merged into Delta Zeta with their rituals, awards, new collegiate chapters and dedicated alumnae.

The first group to join Delta Zeta was Beta Phi Alpha in 1941. Their gavel, made of the tusk of a walrus and engraved with the names of the founders of both sororities and their national presidents, is used to open every Delta Zeta National Convention. Beta Phi Alpha also gave us the very moving song “Convention Lights” which concludes each National Convention.

The next merger came at the end of World War II and was with Phi Omega Pi which had originally been named the Achoth Sorority. Delta Zeta’s Achoth Award for dedicated service to the sorority on the local level is a result of this merger.

In 1956 Delta Sigma Epsilon, which also had been founded at Miami University, joined Delta Zeta. Three members of their Grand Council later served on Delta Zeta’s National Council. The See Loving Cup, awarded at National Convention to the collegiate chapter showing unusual improvement, was named for a Delta Sigma Epsilon member.

Theta Upsilon was the last merger, in 1962. Delta Zeta continued Theta Upsilon’s involvement with Navaho Assistance until that work was taken over by the Federal Government. In addition, Theta Upsilon provided us with Past National President Carolyn Gullatt.

National Officers, new chapters, coveted awards, elements of our custom – all these are among the benefits Delta Zeta gained in the mergers represented in our current traditions.