Delta Phi Epsilon (social)

On March 17, 1917, at the New York University School of Law, Dorothy Cohen Schwartzman, Ida Bienstock Landau, Minna Goldsmith Mahler, Eve Effron Robin, and Sylvia Steierman Cohn made a pledge to each other to build a women's organization that would stand out from the rest. They could not find a membership accepting of all backgrounds so they formed Delta Phi Epsilon with the purpose of accepting all races and religions— the first non-sectarian, social sorority to do so.

These five women founded the Alpha chapter of the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority to "promote good fellowship among the women students among the various colleges in the country...to create a secret society composed of these women based upon their good moral character, regardless of nationality or creed...to have distinct chapters at various colleges".[1]

Five years later, in 1922, Delta Phi Epsilon was officially incorporated under the state laws of New York and became an international sorority by creating a chapter of the organization at McGill University in Canada. Currently there are more than 67,000 members of Delta Phi Epsilon. The current international president of Delta Phi Epsilon is Roxanne Donovan (Gamma Chapter at Syracuse University).[3]

Delta Phi Epsilon's flower is the Lovely Purple Iris, and its international mascot is the Unicorn. The sisterhood badge is an equilateral triangle in gold surrounded by 21 pearls, the jewel of the sorority. DPhiE's open motto is "Esse Quam Videri" (in Latin: "To be rather than to seem to be").[1]

Delta Phi Epsilon is partnered with several international philanthropies via its Delta Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation: the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.[4]

The Delta Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation, established in 1966 to honor Delta Phi Epsilon's Golden Anniversary, helps to give members and their children the opportunity to further their education through scholarships, grants, and loans. The foundation also supports sorority education and volunteer training initiatives.[5]

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation aids those with the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF) through research, grants, and awareness campaigns. Founded by Phyllis Kossoff, a member of the sorority's Delta chapter at Hunter College, and other concerned parents, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation became the leader in raising funding for research and raising awareness for the disease.[6] At the sorority's December 1957 Convention, Phyllis petitioned her sisters to have the sorority adopt CFF as its official philanthropy. Chapters across North America raise money and awareness. Many chapters host a fundraising event known as Deepher Dude which is a male dance competition. Some chapters fill tote bags, called Tate's Totes, with various items that make an extended hospital stay more comfortable for children with cystic fibrosis and their parents. These totes are then taken to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Care Centers for distribution. Tate's Totes was started by past International President Donna Von Bruening (Sigma Chapter at Ohio State University) shortly after taking office, after her nephew Tate had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Other chapters host 65 Roses Gala events. Sixty-five roses is significant to CF children since the word "cystic fibrosis" is difficult for a child to say. Since 1957, Delta Phi Epsilon has raised millions of dollars for CFF. At the 2016 International Leadership Forum, Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority gave their largest single donation to date of $471,060.[7]

The sorority's other philanthropic partner is the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, which provides resources and education to fight anorexia and other eating disorders. Each chapter sponsors an annual candlelight vigil and an eating disorder awareness week on their campus to increase awareness of eating disorders and provide information to family and friends of sufferers.[8]

As with all National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, women may join Delta Phi Epsilon if they attend as an undergraduate a university with an active chapter from which they receive a membership offer.[9] Before graduation, the sorority's programming focuses on five areas: sisterhood, scholarship, self, service, and social.[10] After graduation, the programming for alumnae moves to five other areas: character, civic, cultural, connection, career.[11]

To further align itself with the organization's founding principles of justice, sisterhood, and love, the Committee on Trans and Gender Non-Binary Inclusion developed a policy inclusive of trans women and non-binary individuals for membership. This policy was subsequently adopted by the organization's International Governing Board.

"This policy reflects Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority’s commitment to anti-discrimination practices in relation to all trans women and non-binary individuals [potential new members, sisters (active and alumnae), volunteers, and staff] and ensures their rights to express themselves and live authentically are respected and protected. The purpose of this policy is to establish an environment that is safe, welcoming, and free from stigma and discrimination for all potential new members, sisters, volunteer, and staff, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression."[16]

Alongside an outline for recruitment, the policy also outlines definitions and guidelines for active chapters to uphold respect for trans and non-binary individuals.

• Pi Sigma Psi, former chapter at Dartmouth College
• List of social fraternities and sororities
• List of Jewish fraternities and sororities

• Delta Phi Epsilon Website