Sigma Delta Tau () is an American sorority and member of the National Panhellenic Conference. Sigma Delta Tau was founded on March 25, 1917 at Cornell University by Jewish women. However, there is no religious requirement for membership to the sorority, and it prides itself on being inclusive of all, as well as being historically Jewish. Sigma Delta Tau has over 70,000 initiates from 105 chapters around the United States.
History
Sigma Delta Tau was founded on March 25, 1917 at Cornell University by seven Jewish women: Dora Bloom Turteltaub, Amy Apfel Tishman, Marian Gerber Greenberg, Grace Srenco Grossman, Inez Dane Ross, Regene Freund Cohane and Lenore Rubinow. The original name, Sigma Delta Phi, was changed after the women discovered a sorority with the same name already existed.
Symbols
The sorority's official flower is the golden tea rose and its jewel is lapis lazuli. The colors of Sigma Delta Tau are cafe au lait and old blue. The sorority's symbol is the torch, which is also the name of its national publication.
The current badge is a jeweled gold torch. On the front of the torch are the Greek letters ΣΔΤ, with six pearls and a diamond. The badge is worn as an emblem of membership by initiated members. Uninitiated members wear a different badge, a gold torch enameled in old blue.
Philanthropy
The current national philanthropies of Sigma Delta Tau are Prevent Child Abuse America, the Sigma Delta Tau Foundation, and Jewish Women International.
Prevent Child Abuse America was selected as Sigma Delta Tau's National Philanthropy in 1982. Each Sigma Delta Tau chapter conducts an annual service project, educational program or major fund raiser for the benefit of Prevent Child Abuse America. Since 1982, Sigma Delta Tau has donated more than $3 million to PCAA.
The Sigma Delta Tau Foundation was chosen as an official philanthropic partner in 2017.
Chapters
Sigma Delta Tau currently has a total of 64 active collegiate chapters across North America.
Membership
The national president of Sigma Delta Tau is voted on by the chapters and National Council Members every two years.
Notable alumnae
Joyce Brothers (Alpha chapter, Cornell University) – psychologist, television and radio personality, writer Arielle Charnas (Omega chapter, Syracuse University) – influencer and creative director of SomethingNavy Meredith Deane (Alpha Xi chapter, Boston University; Mu chapter, University of Southern California) – actress Heather Dubrow (Omega chapter, Syracuse University) – actress and cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County Sherry Lansing (Sigma chapter, Northwestern University) – actress, CEO of Paramount Pictures, president of production at 20th Century Fox Christy Carlson Romano – (Gamma Tau chapter, Columbia University/Barnard College) – Broadway and television actress Flo Steinberg (Psi chapter, University of Massachusetts Amherst) – publisher
Remy Zaken (Gamma Tau chapter, Columbia University/Barnard College) – Broadway actress Bari Lurie (Alpha Tau chapter, George Washington University) – non-profit executive Carol Saline (Omega chapter, Syracuse University) – journalist, broadcaster, and award-winning author
See also
List of social fraternities and sororities
List of Jewish fraternities and sororities
References
1917 establishments in New York (state) Cornell University National Panhellenic Conference Student societies in the United States Student organizations established in 1917 Historically Jewish sororities in the United States Jewish organizations established in 1917 Fraternities and sororities based in Indianapolis