About:
Alpha Delta Pi is the first secret society for women around the world. The organization led the way for women in the fraternity system. Originally, Alpha Delta Pi was known as the Adelphean Society. The chapter was founded on May 15, 1851 at Wesleyan Female College. This college was the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women. The motto of this sorority is "We Live For Each Other" and holds true to this day.
At the University of Arizona, Alpha Delta Pi is the Delta Gamma Chapter. This specific chapter was founded on October 14, 1950. Currently, there are over three-hundred active members with each pledge class containing up to 100 women each year. To become a member of Alpha Delta Pi, women must participate in recruitment at the University of Arizona. This process happens at the beginning of every school year and is about three weeks long, on the first 4 weekends for the semester, leading up to Labor Day. Thousands of girls participate in this process to find their "forever home." Recruitment is run by the Panhellenic Council, and is a very strict process. Girls visit every chapter house and speak to different active members to determine where they would best fit. At the end of the week, these potential new members will receive a bid from one chapter. If they choose to accept their bid, they can begin their process to become an official member of the chapter. After accepting the bid, “Bid Day” happens for each chapter which is a celebration to welcome all the new members. The new member process lasts for several months, and the potential new members are considered “new members” until they are initiated in October and become active members. The new members must undergo a series of tasks and study sessions for weekly quizzes. It is crucial that these new members understand the history and rules of the Chapter before they become permanent members.
Founders:
Eugenia Tucker Fitzgerald
Ella Pierce Turner
Octavia Andrew Rush
Elizabeth Williams Mitchell
Sophronia Woodruff Dews
Mary Evans Glass
Philanthropy:
Alpha Delta Pi sisters make an impact on their campuses and in their communities. During the 2019-2020 academic year, Alpha Delta Pi contributed $1,164,900 to charitable organizations, including $1,002,237 to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) across the United States and Canada.
Alpha Delta Pi's partnership began in 1979 with the RMHC. The sorority has contributed more than $16,000,000 to this worthwhile organization. Additionally, as part of the We Believe… Campaign, the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation has established the Ronald McDonald House Charities Endowment. This fund will allow the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation to provide even more resources to RMHC worldwide.
Besides just dollars, ADPi sisters also dedicate a substantial amount of time to RMHC families. Whether cooking meals for families, doing repairs around the house, or spending quality time, the sisters seek to improve the lives of those around them.
Philanthropy events:
At the University of Arizona Alpha Delta Pi chapter, there is a lot of events held throughout the year to raise our own money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. In the beginning of the year they hold "Chicken and Fries with ADPi" where ADPi spends a night in their front lawn selling Raising Canes. They spend the days prior promoting and selling tickets to individuals around the University. The money they make from the event goes to the RMH here in Tucson! This event is a super fun and lively event, with a DJ and games.
In the second semester, they hold their yearly, sports tournament. Groups of girls gather a team of boys to compete against each other playing wiffelball. Boys from fraternities and athletics get involved and buy a shirt to play which goes to the RMHC. This event is another great way to not only raise money but also get the community together. When they are not having any big events, groups of girls go to the local RMH in Tucson about once a month to cook meals for the families currently staying there.
Symbols:
Four-Pointed Diamond
The four points of our diamond symbolize strengthening character and personality, watching attitudes toward fellow beings, recognizing the value of high educational standards, and developing faith and loyalty.
Colors
Azure blue and white are the official colors of Alpha Delta Pi. Blue is symbolic of friendship, the basic spirit upon which Alpha Delta Pi is founded. White symbolizes sincerity and truth.
Flower
The Woodland Violet, which grows wild, is the official flower of ADPi. Because it is unavailable for purchase, African Violets are often used to symbolize the Woodland Violet.
Coat of Arms
Elizabeth Moseley Coles, who was elected national president at the first Grand Convention, was responsible for having the coat of arms designed. Another sister of Alpha chapter, Agnes Chapman, is given credit for the actual design. Symbolism from our ritual and our Alpha pin were combined in the coat of arms, and design originally had a background of violets. In 1919, the convention body voted to make changes and the present design was accepted.
Location:
Alpha Delta Pi at the University of Arizona is located 1443 E 1st St., Tucson, AZ 85719. It is right next to many of the other fraternities and sororities on Greek row. Across is the sorority, Delta Gamma. To the right is the fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon. To the left is the Sigma Chi fraternity. There is a parking lot behind the sorority that is used for many individuals who attend the university as well. It is an easy walk to any of the main areas of campus making it a great location.
Sources:
https://www.alphadeltapi.org/page/history/
https://www.azalphadeltapi.com/
https://houndstoothpress.com/resource/greek-life/sorority-clothing-and-resources/alpha-delta-pi/history/alpha-delta-pis-history
https://www.alphadeltapi.org/page/founders/
https://www.alphadeltapi.org/foundation/philanthropy/
