About Us
National Kappa Delta
Chapter History / Famous KΔs
"Out of such pure and simple beginnings grow great and wonderful things"
--Lenora Ashmore Blackiston
Kappa Delta was founded on October 23, 1897 at State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) in Farmville, Virginia. It was because of the beautiful friendship of Lenora Ashmore, Mary Sommerville Sparks, Julia Gardiner Tyler, and Sara Turner that Kappa Delta began. Today, the ideals of friendship, fellowship, and sisterly love have remained constant and strong for 109 years, just as our four founders envisioned it in the beginning.
In the Kappa Delta archives is a small booklet containing the text of a college commencement address given in 1893 by Dr. Anna Robertson Brown. In the speech, Dr. Robertson states that the things that made her life relevant and filled with purpose were a strong faith in God, the love of her family, and everlasting friendships. Four years later, our four founders discovered the small volume, and and were so profoundly influenced by the philosophy that they adopted it for the sorority they would establish in 1897.
The four founders set in motion their plans for an organization that would be "a national force for good." These young women sought members for their sorority who shared their values and aspirations and who would make worthwile contributions to the organization. Today, 109 years later, Kappa Delta's mission remains strong; we strive in every way to be a national force for good, to be relevant to every member, and to use our skills to be the best we can be as individuals and as an organization.
In 1912, Kappa Delta was the only Sorority to become a member of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) immediately upon petition. However, this did not come without sacrifice. NPC required all chapters to be four year institutions, and two of our chapters were not, one being our beloved founding chapter, Alpha. The sisters of these two chapters selflessly relinquished their charters for the sake of the future of Kappa Delta. Joyfully, Alpha chapter was re-colonized in 1949 when (now) Longwood University became a four-year baccalaureate institution.
Kappa Delta also became the first NPC group to form partnerships with various women's organizations that have a great effect on the role of women in leadership positions. Kappa Delta is partners with the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., the Girl Scouts of the USA, the Women's Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee, and, most recently, the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty.
As of November 2006, Kappa Delta has 128 active collegiate chapters. In addition, Kappa Delta has 492 chartered alumnae associations nationwide, the most of any NPC group. With active chapter sizes ranging from 40 to 200, membership has grown to approximately 190,000 collegiate members and over 186,000 alumnae.
Lenora Ashmore Blackiston was unconventional. She was a dreamer, a romantic, and an idealist, filled with enthusiasm for new ideas. Nicknamed "Nora," she was a writer and a poet, able to put her thoughts into action. She held her beliefs closely and was known to be a loyal and dutiful friend. She was the one who first suggested the idea of forming a sorority, and it was her affinity for friends that made her co-founders take her inspiration for a sorority to heart. She was unable to put her lasting personal marks on Kappa Delta's beginnings because, after Christmas holiday, she transferred to Randolph-Macon Women's College. Even so, she continued to remain involved in Kappa Delta throughout her life.
Quiet and extremely intelligent, Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson came from a distinguished and respected family; her grandfather was John Tyler, former U.S. president, and her father was the president of the College of William and Mary. She was characterized as capable, dependable and possessing considerable artistic talent. It was she who designed the Kappa Delta badge and authored the sorority's first song, "A Faithful Band of Sisters We." Upon graduation, Julia became a teacher and married Dr. James Southall Wilson, a professor at the University of Virginia. She remained active in Kappa Delta throughout her life, sometimes even being treated like royalty by later sisters.
The daughter of a Virginia state senator, Sara Turner White was the true Southern belle amongst the four founders. Although she was the youngest girl enrolled in the school (she was fifteen years old in her second year), she was popular amongst her classmates and with the boys at nearby Hampden-Sydney. Nicknamed "Sagie" she was known to enjoy her friends and social activities more than she did her studies. Sara left the university in 1898, but remained steadfastly involved with Kappa Delta throughout her long life.
Mary Sommerville Sparks-Hendrick was much loved and respected by all students at State Female Normal School. She was known for her fine character and gentle understanding, and was the true heart and soul of Kappa Delta. Mary had concern for others, perhaps because, at 25, she was more mature than the younger students. She had a maturity of judgment and an essential goodness which bound the early stages of Kappa Delta. Mary stayed on and helped the fledging sorority until 1902, when she left to pursue her masters' degree in teaching at the University of Virginia. She married T.W. Hendrick in July of 1909.
Facts
Founded:
October 23, 1897 at State Female Normal School (now Longwood University), Farmville, Virginia
Membership: Over 190,000 throughout the world
National Headquarters:
3205 Players Lane, Memphis, Tennessee 38125
(901) 748-1897; (800) 536-1897
National Philanthrophies:
Girls Scouts of the USA,
Prevent Child Abuse America,
Orthopedic Research Awards, and
Children's Hospital in Richmond, Virginia
Symbols & Mascots: nautilus shell, dagger, teddy bear and katydid
Colors: olive green and pearl white
Jewels: diamond, emerald, pearl
Flower: white rose
