Kappa Delta History

History "A chilly rain splattered against the windowpanes of the little dormitory room on Professional Hall, the dormitory floor where most of the seniors lived. Saturday meant no classes, and the dreary weather that hung over Farmville was a perfect excuse for the four friends to tuck themselves away in that cozy spot and talk for hours...It was that afternoon that Kappa Delta was born—October 23, 1897—at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia." —Ordinary Miracles: 100 Years of Kappa Delta Sorority
It was because of the beautiful friendship of Lenora Ashmore, Mary Sommerville Sparks, Julia Gardiner Tyler, and Sara Turner that Kappa Delta began. And today, the ideals of friendship, fellowship and sisterly love have remained constant and strong for over 100 years, just as our four founders envisioned it in the beginning. In 1912, Kappa Delta Sorority was the only Sorority to become a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Conference (NPC) immediately upon petition. However, this did not come without sacrifice. NPC required all chapters to be four year institutions, and

two of our chapters were not, one being our beloved founding chapter (Alpha). The sisters of these two chapters selflessly relinquished their charters for the sake of the future of Kappa Delta. Joyfully, Alpha chapter was re-colonized in 1949 when (now) Longwood College became a four-year baccalaureate institution. As of January 2004, Kappa Delta has 206 chartered chapters. In addition, Kappa Delta has 487 chartered alumnae associations all over the country, the most of any NPC group. With active chapter sizes ranging from 40 to 200, membership has grown to approximately 10,000 collegiate members and over 180,000 alumnae.
Founding Members Lenora Ashmore Blackiston
		Lenora Ashmore Blackiston was unconventional. She was a dreamer and an idealist filled with enthusiasm for new ideas. Nicknamed "Nora," she was a writer and a poet, able to put her thoughts into action. She was the one who first suggested the idea of forming a sorority, but was unable to put her lasting personal marks on Kappa Delta's beginnings because, after Christmas holiday, she transferred to Randolph-Macon Women's College.

Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson
		Quiet and extremely intelligent, Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson came from a distinguished and respected family; her grandfather was John Tyler, former U.S. president, and her father was the president of the College of William and Mary. She was characterized as capable, dependable and possessing considerable artistic talent. She illustrated most of the school's first yearbook and designed the Kappa Delta badge. After helping to found the sorority, Julia spent another year at State Female Normal before transferring to Dana Hall, a preparatory school for Wellesley College where she earned her AB degree in 1904. She joined her founding sister Sara at Kappa Delta's 50th anniversary celebration at the 1947 convention.

Sara Turner White
		Daughter of a Virginia senator, Sara Turner White was gracious and friendly, but known as being a bit more straight-laced than most students. She enjoyed her friends and social activities more than she did her studies. Sara did not return to college after that first year, but remained steadfastly involved with Kappa Delta throughout her life.
Mary Sommerville Sparks Hendrick
		Mary Sommerville Sparks Hendrick was much loved and respected by all students at State Female Normal School . She was known for her fine character and gentle understanding. Mary had concern for others, perhaps because, at 25, she was more mature than the younger students. She was a Bible class leader. Mary stayed on and helped the fledging sorority through its early years.

This page is cited from the National Kappa Delta Website.