Alpha Xi Delta

Alpha Xi Delta (ΑΞΔ) was founded on April 17, 1893 by ten women at Lombard College, Galesburg, Illinois, who shared a vision of an organization dedicated to the personal growth of women. Alpha Xi Delta is one of the oldest women's fraternities as well as one of the ten founding fraternities of the National Panhellenic Conference. The National Panhellenic Creed, which is still read aloud today at every NPC meeting across the country, was even written by an Alpha Xi Delta. Alpha Xi Delta maintains chapters at 113 institutions ranging from the University of Washington to Florida International University.

A national fraternity with more than 140,000 initiated members, the stated vision of Alpha Xi Delta is to "inspire women to realize their potential." The colors of Alpha Xi Delta are double blue (light and dark) and gold. The fraternity flower is the pink rose, as chosen by the Founders to complement the white rose of Sigma Nu fraternity whose brothers helped to found Alpha Xi Delta at Lombard. The general sorority mascot is the teddy bear, the official mascot is named BetXi Bear. Each initiated member wears the quill which represents their open motto "The Pen is Mightier than the Sword."

Founders

The ten founders were Cora Bollinger Block, Alice Bartlett Bruner, Bertha Cook Evans, Harriett Luella McCollum, Lucy W. Gilmer, Lewie Strong Taylor, Almira Lowry Cheney, Frances Elizabeth Cheney, Eliza Drake Curtis Everton, and Julia Maude Foster.

Philanthropy

Alpha Xi Delta's national philanthropy is Choose Children. Their philanthropy differs from other sororities' because it is an idea rather than an actual physical foundation. Alpha Xi Delta chapters and alumnae around the country are encouraged to find worthy philanthropy organizations nearby that embody the idea of helping children.

Notable alumnae

• Megan Blake (Gamma Eta) - Actress, Young and Restless
• Jan Davis (Gamma Eta) - Astronaut
• Betsey Johnson (Eta) - Fashion designer
• Gail Kobe (Alpha Xi) - Actress, Former executive producer of The Guiding Light
• Amanda Pennekamp (Epsilon Iota) - Miss South Carolina USA 2004, Miss Earth USA 2006
• Deborah Pryce (Psi) - Politician, U.S. Representative from Ohio
• Patsy Ramsey (Iota) - Miss West Virginia 1977 and the mother of JonBenét Ramsey
• Laurie Lea Schaefer (Pi) - Miss America 1972
• Sandra Scheuer (Beta Tau) - Victim of the Kent State shootings
• Karen Marie Shelton (Epsilon Xi) - Internet (Hairboutique.com) & Telephony (T&S Software) Entrepreneur
• Karen Tumulty (Beta Alpha) - Time National Political Correspondent
• Kim Webster (Iota) - Actress

References

External links

• Alpha Xi Delta
• Lombard College Scrapbook