Kappa Delta History

    Kappa Delta was founded October 23, 1897 at State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) by Lenora Ashmore, Mary Sommerville Sparks, Julia Gardiner Tyler, and Sara Turner.  These women envisioned an organization based on the ideals of friendship, fellowship and sisterly love.  In 1912, Kappa Delta was the only sorority to become a member of the National Panhellenic Council immediately upon petition.  In doing so, our founding chapter relinquished its charter as NPC required all chapters to be at four year institutions which the Female Normal School was not.  In 1949 when the school became Longwood University, a four-year institute, the chapter was able to recolonize.

     As of January 2004, Kappa Delta has 206 chartered chapters across the nation.  With 487 chartered alumnae associations, Kappa Delta has the most of any NPC organization.  Active chapter sizes range from 40 to 200 with approximately 10,000 collegiate members and over 180,000 alumni.

 

Fast Facts

Symbols and Mascots:  nautilus shell, dagger, teddy bear and katydid
Colors:  pearl green and olive white
Flowers:  white rose

Famous Kappa Deltas

    

Ellen Albertini Dow-actress best known as the rapping granny in "The Wedding Singer"

Christine O'Grady Gregoire-Governor of Washington State

 

Donna Stone-Founder of Prevent Child Abuse America

 

Sara James-Dateline:  NBC correspondent