History

Sigma Delta Tau was founded on March 25, 1917 at Cornell University by Dora Bloom Turteltaub, Amy Apfel Tishman, Marian Gerber Greenberg, Grace Srenco Grossman, Inez Dane Ross, Regene Freund Cohane, and Lenore Blanche Rubinow. Founded by all Jewish women, Sigma Delta Tau was created as a result of most of the seven women having experienced acts of discrimination by other Greek organizations because of their religion. 

These seven young women took this opportunity to establish a sorority that focused on respecting its member's individuality and used personal growth and social development in order to do so.

“It shall be the purpose of this fraternal organization to form a close social and fraternal union of those of similar ideals and to foster, maintain and instill such ideals in the hearts of its members as will result in actions worthy of the highest precepts of true womanhood, democracy and humanity.”

—Sigma Delta Tau National Bylaws, Article I, Section 2