Sigma Delta Tau (ΣΔΤ) is a national sorority and member of the National Panhellenic Conference, was founded March 25, 1917 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The original name, Sigma Delta Phi, was changed after the women discovered a sorority with the same name already existed. Today, Sigma Delta Tau has over 40,000 initiates from over 90 chapters around the United States.

Sigma Delta Tau was founded by 7 Jewish women; Dora Bloom Turteltaub, Amy Apfel Tishman, Marian Gerber Greenberg, Grace Srenco Grossman, Inez Ross, Regene Freund Cohane, Lenore Rubinow. There is no religious requirement for membership to the sorority, nor is it affiliated with any one religion. Colors are cafe au lait and old blue. Symbol is the Torch, as is the name of the national publication.

The national philanthropy of Sigma Delta Tau is PCAA (Prevent Child Abuse America).

Symbols

The membership badge is represented by the torch.

The current badge is a jeweled gold torch. On the front of the torch are the Greek letters ΣΔΤ, with 6 pearls and a diamond. The badge is worn strictly as an emblem of membership and only by initiated members. New Members of Sigma Delta Tau wear a different badge, a gold torch enameled in old blue, representing the colors of the sorority, cafe au lait and old blue. The new member pin is only worn during the new member period, after which it is returned to the chapter.

The teddy bear is the official mascot of Sigma Delta Tau. The official flower is the golden tea rose and the sorority jewel is the lapis lazuli. The sorority coat of arms combines all the elements of Sigma Delta Tau.

Mission Statement

The mission of Sigma Delta Tau is to enrich the college experience of women of similar ideals, to build lasting friendships and to foster personal growth. Sigma Delta Tau shall encourage each member by providing intellectual, philanthropic, leadership and social opportunities within the framework of mutual respect and high ethical standards.

Philanthropy

At the 1982 National Convention, the convention body unanimously agreed to adopt Prevent Child Abuse America as Sigma Delta Tau's National Philanthropy. Prevent Child Abuse America is a voluntary organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse through citizen action.

Each Sigma Delta Tau chapter conducts an annual service project, educational program, or major fund raiser for the benefit of Prevent Child Abuse America. Together, the SDT chapters contribute more than $50,000 each year to their National Philanthropy.

April is "Child Abuse Prevention" Month. Many Sigma Delta Tau chapters participate in the National Blue Ribbon Campaign. Blue ribbons are distributed on campuses across the country to help spread the awareness of child abuse to undergraduates everywhere.

Notable alumnae

• Joyce Brothers (Alpha, Cornell) - psychologist, TV and Radio personality, writer
• Sherry Lansing (Sigma, Northwestern) - the first woman to head a major film studio
• Christy Carlson Romano (Gamma Tau, Barnard) - actress and singer
• Joan Rivers

References

External links

• Sigma Delta Tau Official Website