Founding of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority

On May 15, 1851, Alpha Delta Pi was founded at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Georgia, originally as the Adelphean Society. This establishment marks a significant moment in educational and women’s history as it became the first secret society for women.

Context and Background

During the mid-19th century, opportunities for women in higher education were limited, and women’s status in society was largely restricted by prevailing social norms. Wesleyan Female College was one of the few institutions providing collegiate education to women. The foundation of the Adelphean Society symbolized a breakthrough, offering women a space for intellectual and personal growth beyond the traditional domestic sphere.

Key Figures and Founding

The society was founded by Eugenia Tucker Fitzgerald and five other women: Ella Pierce Turner, Octavia Andrew Rush, Mary Evans Glass, Sophronia Woodruff Dews, and Elizabeth Williams Mitchell. Their objectives were to foster personal development and advocate sisterhood amongst women, who were largely excluded from existing collegiate societies dominated by men.

Significance

By forming the Adelphean Society, these women established a model that combined fellowship, academic excellence, and community service. The group later adopted the Greek motto and expanded its principles to other college campuses, solidifying its role in the broader sorority movement across the United States.

Evolution and Legacy

In 1905, the society adopted the Greek letters Alpha Delta Pi and laid the groundwork for what is known today as one of the oldest and largest sororities in the United States. Its founding principles continue to resonate, promoting leadership, scholarship, community service, and sisterhood.

The inexorable drive towards equality and support visioned by the society’s founders paved the way for countless other women’s organizations, contributing significantly to the advancement of women’s rights and education accessibility.

Alpha Delta Pi’s legacy endures through its expansive alumnae network and philanthropy, serving as a testament to its enduring influence on collegiate life and women empowerment.