Delta Zeta History

Delta Zeta, founded in 1902 at Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, originally consisted of Alfa Lloyd, Mary Collins, Anna Louise Keen, Julia Lawrence Bishop, Mabelle M. Minton and Anne Dial Simmons.
It was not uncommon for young women to gather in the homes of their friends and enjoy social affairs; however, they wished to form a campus organization to continue their enjoyment of social affairs. Many women found the idea of a sorority quite appealing, and their wishes came true when they established the Alpha chapter of Delta Zeta.

As the six women planned, they chose as their flower a new hybrid rose becoming very popular, the Killarney rose. From this they drew the logical colors of rose and green to represent their sorority. They applied for and received Articles of Incorporation from the Department of State of Ohio. The six chartered members announced their sorority to the student body at an elaborate "Rose Reception" held in Alfa Lloyd's home. However strong in conviction and determined they were, the six coeds endured much difficulty in their first year as they attempted to establish the sorority at Miami University.

Today Delta Zeta is now the largest international sorority for women. It has the largest number of active chapters on University and College campuses in the United States and Canada. There are Alumnae chapters across the United States,Canada and one in Great Britain.