Tri Delta’s story began in 1888 when Sarah Ida Shaw and Eleanor Dorcas Pond recognized a need for an organization to provide college women with lifelong friendships and support for academic excellence.  Our Founders wanted to form an organization which would be “kind alike to all and think of a woman’s inner self and character than of her personal appearance.”  Tri Delta’s early history describes the growth of our Fraternity as women across the country shared in their vision for an organization based upon perpetual friendships.

Our Fraternity story has continued for 117 years.  Today, Tri Delta has 139 collegiate chapters, 323 alumnae chapters and over 224,000 members initiated since our founding. 

Our alumnae membership experience offers friendship to women of all ages.  The needs of our alumnae members today are very different from those of the earliest Tri Deltas.  To continue to be part of the lives of our many alumnae, our organization must continue to adapt to be able to fit into an increasingly busy lifestyle.  Stories about our alumnae today include women who serve as generals in the armed forces, authors, cancer researchers, journalists, mothers and much more.  No matter what the chosen career path of our alumnae members, they share a common desire for Tri Delta friendships.

Although our stories read differently though the many decades of our existence, our Purpose remains the same.  I encourage you to add chapters to your own Tri Delta story by involving yourself in Nashville alumnae activities, becoming a dues-paying member, reconnecting with old Tri Delta friends, volunteering to assist at Tri Delta philanthropic events, or assisting  the Vanderbilt Chapter.  Look for ways to share Tri Delta friendships and to “steadfastly love one another.”

In the Bonds,

Your Nashville Alumnae Chapter Officers