Delta Gamma, Beta Chapter
Delta Gamma offers to women of all ages a rich heritage based on sound and tested principals of personal integrity, personal responsibility and intellectual honesty. Beta Chapter was founded in 1903, and is one of the oldest and most influential sororites at the University of Washington.
The objects of this Sorority shall be to foster high ideals of friendship among college women, to promote their educational and cultural interests, to create in them a true sense of social responsibility and to develop in them the best qualities of character. Delta Gamma’s primary purpose is to create an environment for its members in which lasting friendships are established and in which members find the processes, the experiences and the disciplines that will stimulate clear thought. Its aim is to foster an atmosphere in which women will develop a deeper love and consideration for mankind, a more profound understanding of the purpose of life and a basic wisdom upon which to build their lives.
Symbols and Traditions
Founded: December 25, 1873
Nickname: Dee-Gee
Motto: “Do Good”
Colors: Bronze, Pink, and Blue
Symbol: Anchor
Flower: Cream Colored Rose
Mascot: Hannah Doll
Publication: The Anchora
Philanthropy: Service for Sight
Chapter History
In October of 1900, Elizabeth Hancock, a transfer from Michigan, Xi chapter, organized a group of 10 women into a local sorority called Delta Alpha with the express purpose of petitioning Delta Gamma. In the fall of 1902, Elizabeth reported that Mrs. Susie Wegg Smith, Omega, (Convention Secretary 1889) a prominent worker in Delta Gamma's earlier days, had moved to Seattle. A tea was held to meet her and secure her assistance in petitioning Delta Gamma. Mrs. Smith consented to go to the 1903 Convention in Wisconsin to report in favor of the charter. The advisability of going to the far northwest, where there were no chapters, was discussed and debated during each of the three days of Convention. On the last day, May 15, Miss Cooley (Xi) moved that a charter be granted to University of Washington. The motion carried. The Greek letter Beta was selected for the chapter to honor Winfield Smith, the husband of Susie Wegg Smith who was a Beta Theta Pi, and the Beta Theta Pi husband of Mrs. Colegrove who assisted the local.
Before the chapter was established, the ten young women of the chartering local group calling themselves Alpha Delta met in their private homes or at the university library where one member worked as an assistant. Between 1904 and 1936 the women of Beta rented several homes to be the Delta Gamma house. In 1936 a new home was built for Beta and the women moved in over Easter weekend.
The Phi Delta Thetas offered the use of their house for initiation. On the night of Friday, June 5, 1903, after dinner and a songfest with the Phi Delts, 10 women were initiated by Susie Wegg Smith and Elizabeth Hancock. A banquet was held the following Monday evening at "The Washington."
Fast Facts:
Beta was the first chapter of Delta Gamma in the Pacific Northwest
Delta Gamma was the first women's fraternity chartered at the University of Washington on June 5th, 1903
20 Beta alumnae have served Delta Gamma as national officers
Beta chapter celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2003
2,622 women have been initiated to Beta chapter