Wikipedia

Tau Gamma Delta

Tau Gamma Delta is a national African American service sorority. It was established in 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, and has since established community-based and collegiate chapters across the United States.

Tau Gamma Delta
Founded1942; 82 years ago (1942)
Lewis Business College
TypeService
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisAfrican Americans
ColorsLight Pink and Light Blue
Chapters16 active
HeadquartersDetroit, Michigan
United States
Websitewww.taugammadeltasororityinc.com

History

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Tau Gamma Delta was established as a service club Phi Gamma Delta Sorority at the Lewis Business College in Detroit, Michigan in 1942.[1][2] Its eight founders or Pearls were:[3]

  • Clotiele Anderson
  • Corine Dean-Hubert
  • Jane Howard-Smith
  • Celillus Palmore-Morgan
  • Elizabeth Parker
  • Juanita Parnell
  • Agnes Sams-Fischer
  • Kathleen Williams-Carter

The sorority's name was changed to Tau Gamma Delta on October 17, 1951.[2][1] Tau Gamma Delta Sorority Inc. was incorporated in the State of Michigan on December 12, 1951.[2] The incorporated sorority's original purpose was to contribute to students ' business and academic training, promote high standards of personal conduct, support community, and civic activities, and "to add to the harmony and discipline and the general welfare of womanhood."[1][4][2][5] Its members were African American professional and business women.[4]

A second chapter, Beta, was established in Detroit Michigan, followed by Gamma in Indianapolis, Indiana.[4] Tau Gamma Delta held its first national convention in 1945.[6] Delta chapter was chartered in Chicago, Illinois in March 1954.[4] At the time, the sorority also had eight affiliate chapters in Augusta, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan; New York City, New York; Pasadina, California; and Sacromento, California.[4]

The sorority had 900 members across the United States in 1974.[7] In March 1976, it had 27 chapters and more than 600 members.[8] By 1979, it had chartered 39 chapters in fifteen states.[9] By 1984, there were also chapters on some college campuses.[10] It had ten collegiate chapters and 36 graduate or community-based chapters in March 1991.[11]

As of 2024, the sorority has at least 16 active chapters in the United States.[12][13][14] Some of its records are preserved at the National Archives for Black Women's History. Tau Gamma Delta's headquarters is in Detroit, Michigan.[2]

Symbols

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Tau Gamma Delta members are called "sorors".[4][10] The sorority's colors are pale pink and pale blue.[10][2] Its emblem was designed by Elza Neal.[15]

Activities

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At its Boule, Tau Gamma Delta gives its Scholarship Award to a worthy student and presents its Charity Award to a nonprofit chosen by the host chapter.[1] The Ballard Award is given to an outstanding member.[6] In 2008, the sorority launched its Trunks for Success program at its national meeting.[16][17] The program is based on the nonprofit Trunk Party Inc. of Chicago, Illinois which provides a trunk filled with essential supplies for college freshmen in need.[17][16] Trunk Party was the recipient of the sorority's Charity Award in July 2008.[17][16]

The national sorority also sponsored the Tautette Club, an organization for junior high and high school girls.[10][8] The Tautlettes is a leadership club that also encourages college education and scholarships.[18][10] Another national program is Taugadetta which provides scholarships for young artists.[18][8] Tau Gamma Delta celebrates Founders Day each year in October.[18][19][20]

True to its founders purpose, the chapters of the service sorority continued to focus on education, raising funds for scholarships that are given to local students.[10] Its individual members also volunteer at various organizations in their communities.[10]

Governamce

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Tau Gamma Delta conducts business and elects its national officers during its annual national meeting called a Boule.[1] Its officers include the supreme basileus, supreme first anti-basileus, supreme second anti-basileus, supreme grammateus, supreme anti-grammateus, supreme epistaleus, supreme tamiochus, national graduate organizer, national keeper-of-pins, national Tauette director, national chaplain, and national historian.[21][22]

In addition, it has regional directors for the Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western regions of the United States.[23] Its chapter officers include supreme basileus,anti-basileus, secretary, recording secretary, treasurer, dean of pledges, parliamentarian, chaplain, and editor-in-chief.[4][19]

Chapters

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In the following incomplete list, active chapters are indicated in bold and inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.

Chapter Charter date and range Institution Location Status Reference
Alpha 1942 Lewis Business College Detroit, Michigan Inactive [2][a]
Beta Detroit, Michigan Inactive [4][24][17][13]
Gamma Indianapolis, Indiana Active [4][24][13]
Delta March 1951 Chicago, Illinois Inactive [4][13]
Epsilon Sacramento, California Inactive [6][25]
Zeta Pasadina, California Inactive [6][20]
Eta New York City, New York Active [17][26]
Theta June 1956 Aiken, South Carolina Inactive [26]
Iota June 16, 1956 Cleveland, Ohio Inactive [15]
Kappa Augusta, Georgia Active [27][26]
Lambda Durham, North Carolina Active [24][17][26]
Mu Beverley Hill, California Inactive [28]
Nu Goldsboro, North Carolina Inactive [29]
Xi November 1956 Washington, D.C. Acitve [24][30][19]
Omicron July 1957 St. Albans, Queens, New York Inactive [30]
Pi Balitmore, Maryland Active [24][21][19]
Rho (First) Milledgeville, Georgia Inactive [29]
Rho Los Angeles, California Active [24][21][14]
Tau Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Active [17]
Chi Rocky Mount, North Carolina Active [24][17][16]
Psi March 22, 1969 Jersey City, New Jersey Active [31][21][7]
Omega Phoenix, Arizona Inactive [5]
Beta Omega Wilson, North Carolina Active
Epsilon Omega March 1976 Greensboro, North Carolina Active [10][5][8]
Theta Omega July 8, 1978 Sumter, South Carolina Inactive [32][b]
Lamda Omega Bayonne, New Jersey Inactive [33]
Mu Omega March 17, 1979 Atlanta, Georgia Inactive [9]
XI Omega Richmond, Virginia Active
Upsilon Omega November 23, 2023 Phenix City, Alabama Active
North Carolina Central University Durham, North Carolilna Inactive
Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan Inactive
Houston, Texas Active [14]
Indiana Active [13]
Michigan Active [13]
Sacramento, California Inactive [34]
  1. ^ Chapter formed as Phi Gamma Delta Sorority. Its name was changed to Tau Gamma Delta in 1951.
  2. ^ Chapter formed from the Torchbearers' Pledge Club

Notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Tau Gamma Delta Meets in Baltimore". Newspapers.com. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: New Pittsburgh Courier. 1971-08-14. p. 6. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "History". Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  3. ^ "Founders". Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Tau Gamma Delta Established New Chicaco Chapter". Newspapers.com. Montgomery, Alabama: Alabama Tribune. 1954-04-02. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  5. ^ a b c "Deltas Hold Boule". Newspapers.com. New Pittsburgh Courier. 1977-08-13. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  6. ^ a b c d "Tau Gamma Delta: Tenth Businesswoman Meet Held in New York City". Newspapers.com. New Pittsburgh Courier. 1955-08-27. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  7. ^ a b "She Heads National Sorority". Newspapers.com. Jersey City, New Jersey: The Jersey Journal. 1974-08-23. p. 11. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  8. ^ a b c d "Sorority Chapter Formed". Newspapers.com. The Greensboro Record. 1976-03-22. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  9. ^ a b "Tau Gamma Delta Sorority". Newspapers.com. The Atlanta Voice. 1979-10-27. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Swindell, Lib (1984-09-02). "Education the Focus for Sorority". Newspapers.com. Greensboro, North Carolina: News and Record. p. 113. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  11. ^ "Tau Gamma Delta". Newspapers.com. Rocky Mount Telegram. 1991-03-10. p. 17. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  12. ^ "Eastern Region". Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "Central Region". Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  14. ^ a b c "Western Region". Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  15. ^ a b "Tau Gamma Delta Adds New Chapter". Newspapers.com. The St. Louis Argus. 1956-06-29. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  16. ^ a b c d "Tau Gamma Delta Sponsors Program". Newspapers.com. Rocky Mount Telegram. 2013-08-18. p. B1, B4. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h "Helping College-Bond Students". Newspapers.com. Rocky Mount, North Carolina: Rocky Mount Telegram. 2016-08-21. p. 8B, 7B. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  18. ^ a b c "National Programs". Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  19. ^ a b c d "Speaking About D.C." Newspapers.com. Washington, D.C.: Washington Afro American. 1961-10-28. p. 8. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  20. ^ a b "Founding Day Lunch Scheduled". Newspapers.com. Pasadena Independent. 1961-10-19. p. 18. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  21. ^ a b c d "National Officers". Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  22. ^ "Mrs. Dean Leads Tau Gamma Deltas". Newspapers.com. New Pittsburgh Courier. 1956-09-01. p. 17. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  23. ^ "Sorority Regions". Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g "Board of Directors". Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  25. ^ "Tau Gamma Deltas Install Officers". Newspapers.com. The Sacramento Bee. 1953-03-25. p. 20. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  26. ^ a b c d "Tau Gamma Delta Adds New Chapter in S.C." Newspapers.com. New York City, New York: The New York Age. 1956-06-23. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  27. ^ "Southern Region". Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  28. ^ "Mu Chapter Celebrates Its Founding". Newspapers.com. Los Angeles, California: California Eagle. 1960-10-27. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  29. ^ a b "Sorority Hosts Regional Conference". Newspapers.com. Macon, Georgia: The Macon Telegraph. 1965-03-23. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  30. ^ a b "Tau Gamma Delta Adds Another Chap. in Eastern Region". Newspapers.com. The St. Louis Argus. 1957-07-12. p. 18, pt 2. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  31. ^ "Psi Chapter Celebrates Founding". Newspapers.com. Jersey City, New Jersey: The Jersey Journal. 1969-10-18. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  32. ^ "Sorority Inducts Members". Newspapers.com. Sumter, South Carolina: The Item. 1978-09-18. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  33. ^ "Tau Gamma Delta Set Cotillion". Newspapers.com. Jersey City, New Jersey: The Jersey Journal. 1983-04-13. p. 11. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  34. ^ "Tau Gamma Deltas Will Hear Speaker". Newspapers.com. The Sacramento Bee. 1954-08-18. p. 17. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
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