Gamma Phi Delta (ΓΦΔ) is a historically African American service
sorority
Fraternities and sororities are social organizations at colleges and universities in North America.
Generally, membership in a fraternity or sorority is obtained as an undergraduate student, but continues thereafter for life. Some accept gradua ...
for businesswomen, professionals, and students. It was founded in 1943 at the
Lewis College of Business
Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design is a private, historically black college in Detroit, Michigan. It was also the first and only historically black college in Michigan. Founded in 1928 as the Lewis College of Business by Violet T. ...
and expanded to have chapters across the united states
The sorority is an affiliate of the
National Council of Negro Women
The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1935 with the mission to advance the opportunities and the quality of life for African-American women, their families, and communities. Mary McLeod Bethune, the f ...
.
History
Sisters Elizabeth Garner and
Violet T. Lewis
Violet T. Lewis (May 27, 1897March 23, 1968) was an American businesswoman and educator who founded the Lewis College of Business in 1928, the only historically black college in Michigan.
Early life
Lewis was born Violet Temple Harrison on ...
founded the Phi Gamma Delta sorority at the Lewis College of Business in
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at ...
on February 20, 1943.
Lewis was the owner and president of the college and Lewis was a teacher.
Phi Gamma Delta was a business and professional sorority.
The two founders recruited eleven members; these thirteen women are called the Sorority's 13 Original Pearls.
They are:
Each of the Original Pearls was tasked with starting a chapter of Gamma Phi Delta in her home city.
In February 1946, Ivalue Lennear formed the ''Gamma chapter'' in
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Mari ...
, her hometown.
As a special dispensation, the chapter was allowed to use Gamma, instead of Beta, as its name.
Around 1945, the
Phi Gamma Delta fraternity filed a lawsuit against the sorority to discontinue using its hame illegally.
The fraternity had formed more than 100 years before but had never applied for a copyright for the use of the name Phi Gamma Delta.
However, the sorority had received a copyright for the name.
Despite this, the fraternity consisted of wealthy and powerful men, including presidents, senators, and congressmen.
Fearly a lengthy and expensive legal battle, the sorority settled with the fraternity, agreeing to change its name in exchange for $10,000 and payment of legal fees. At that time, the sorority voted to change its name to Gamma Phi Delta.
By 1970, the sorority had 62 chapters in 32 states and the Bahamas.
Gamma Phi Delta seeks to improve youth education and units for civic and community awareness.
The sorority's headquarters is located at 2657 West Grand Blvd. in Detroit, Michigan.
The City of Detroit designated the building as part of the West Grand Boulevard African American Arts and Business Historic District on July 24, 2018.
Symbols and traditions
Gamma Phi Delta's motto is "Peace and Harmony".
The sorority's colors are baby pink and baby blue. Its symbols are the butterfly, dove, and lamp. Its flower is the pink rose and its gemstone is the pearl. The Gamma Phi Delta publication is ''The Lamplighter''.
Chapters
Gamma Phi Delta has both collegiate and graduate chapters across the United States.
Philanthropy
The Gamma Phi Delta Foundation was established in October 1987 to oversee youth scholarships and educational projects.
On the national level, the sorority awards three scholarships and one endowment award annually. The scholarships are: The Gamma Phi Delta Merit Scholarship; the Elizabeth Garner Memorial Scholarship, and the Undergraduate Scholarship.
Its endowment is called The Ann McElwee Perpetual Endowment Fund.
At the local level, chapters raise funds to support education and locally awarded scholarships.
Members also participate in a variety of community service projects with local charities.
Membership
Gamma Phi Delta has five membership types: undergraduate, graduate, association, honorary, and member-at-large.
Membership is by invitation.
Members are required to have completed two years of college study.
Notable members
*
Violet T. Lewis
Violet T. Lewis (May 27, 1897March 23, 1968) was an American businesswoman and educator who founded the Lewis College of Business in 1928, the only historically black college in Michigan.
Early life
Lewis was born Violet Temple Harrison on ...
(''Alpha'') – educator, businesswoman, and founder of Lewis College of Business and Gamma Phi Delta
References
{{Reflist
External links
*
Former Lewis College graduates reflect ahead of school's re-opening (WXYZ ABC)
1943 establishments in Michigan
Student organizations established in 1943
African-American fraternities and sororities
Professional fraternities and sororities in the United States