thumb|Albion College chapter Lodge
Delta Gamma (), commonly known as DG, is a North American sorority, although they often still use the term "women's fraternity." It was established in 1873 at the Lewis School in Oxford, Mississippi. It has 151 collegiate chapters and more than 200 alumnae groups. The organization's executive office is in Columbus, Ohio. Delta Gamma was one of seven charter members of the National Panhellenic Conference.
History
Delta Gamma was founded as a fraternity in December 1873 at the Lewis School in Oxford, Mississippi, near the University of Mississippi. In his later years, Banta helped rewrite the Delta Gamma ritual. Delta Gamma and the six other charter members formally joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1902.
By 1907, the sorority had initiated 2,100 members at seventeen collegiate chapters. It also had five alumni chapter and five alumni associations. The organization's executive office is in Columbus, Ohio. Delta Gamma symbol is the anchor, representing hope. Its colors are bronze, pink, and blue. Its publication is the ANCHORA, which has been published quarterly continuously since 1884.' It has three main philanthropic focuses: service for sight, grants to the fraternity for educational and leadership purposes, and grants to individual members.
The fraternity is one of the first recipients of the Helen Keller Philanthropic Service Award, given by the American Foundation for the Blind for assistance to those who are visually impaired and for sight conservation. It was also the first recipient of the Virginia Boyce Award presented by Prevent Blindness America.thumb|[[Ohio University chapter house]]Anchor Splash and Anchor Games are Delta Gamma's fundraising events hosted on college campuses across North America. The proceeds of these events go to Delta Gamma's philanthropy, such as service for sight. The event has different campus organizations create a synchronized swimming dance. The dance is performed at Anchor Splash for an audience. Each chapter decides how to implement these events on its campus; some host flag football tournaments or volleyball tournaments as their fundraiser.
Membership
Potential members must attend a college where there is a Delta Gamma chapter. Members join through either formal recruitment or continuous open bidding (COB). A COB can occur when a potential new member wants to join outside of recruitment. Joining outside of recruitment can happen at any time of the year.
Chapters
thumb|[[Columbia University chapter house]]
Delta Gamma has 151 collegiate chapters in Canada and the United States. It has more than 200 alumnae groups in the United States, Canada, and England.
See also
- List of social sororities and women's fraternities