Tau Gamma Delta

Tau Gamma Delta was established as a service club Phi Gamma Delta Sorority at the Lewis Business College in Detroit, Michigan in 1942.^[1][2] Its eight founders or Pearls were Clotiele Anderson, Corine Dean-Hubert, Jane Howard-Smith, Celillus Palmore-Morgan, Elizabeth Parker, Juanita Parnell, Agnes Sams-Fischer, and Kathleen Williams-Carter.^[3]

The sorority's name was changed to Tau Gamma Delta on October 17, 1951.^[2][1] Tau Gamma Delta Sorority Inc. was incorporated in the State of Michigan on December 12, 1951.^[2] The incorporated sorority's original purpose was to contribute to students ' business and academic training, promote high standards of personal conduct, support community, and civic activities, and "to add to the harmony and discipline and the general welfare of womanhood."^[1][4][2][5] Its members were African American professional and business women.^[4]

A second chapter, Beta, was established in Detroit Michigan, followed by Gamma in Indianapolis, Indiana.^[4] Tau Gamma Delta held its first national convention in 1945.^[6] Delta chapter was chartered in Chicago, Illinois in March 1954.^[4] At the time, the sorority also had eight affiliate chapters in Augusta, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan; New York City, New York; Pasadena, California; and Sacramento, California.^[4]

The sorority had 900 members across the United States in 1974.^[7] In March 1976, it had 27 chapters and more than 600 members.^[8] By 1979, it had chartered 39 chapters in fifteen states.^[9] By 1984, there were also chapters on some college campuses.^[10] It had ten collegiate chapters and 36 graduate or community-based chapters in March 1991.^[11]

As of 2024, the sorority has at least sixteen active chapters in the United States.^[12][13][14] Some of its records are preserved at the National Archives for Black Women's History. Tau Gamma Delta's headquarters is in Detroit, Michigan.^[2]

Tau Gamma Delta members are called "sorors".^[4][10] The sorority's colors are pale pink and pale blue.^[10][2] Its emblem was designed by Elza Neal.^[15]

At its Boule, Tau Gamma Delta gives its Scholarship Award to a worthy student and presents its Charity Award to a nonprofit chosen by the host chapter.^[1] The Ballard Award is given to an outstanding member.^[6] In 2008, the sorority launched its Trunks for Success program at its national meeting.^[16][17] The program is based on the nonprofit Trunk Party Inc. of Chicago, Illinois which provides a trunk filled with essential supplies for college freshmen in need.^[17][16] Trunk Party was the recipient of the sorority's Charity Award in July 2008.^[17][16]

The national sorority also sponsored the Tautette Club, an organization for junior high and high school girls.^[10][8] The Tautlettes is a leadership club that also encourages college education and scholarships.^[18][10] Another national program is Taugadetta which provides scholarships for young artists.^[18][8] Tau Gamma Delta celebrates Founders Day each year in October.^[18][19][20]

True to its founders' purpose, the chapters of the service sorority continued to focus on education, raising funds for scholarships that are given to local students.^[10] Its members also volunteer at various organizations in their communities.^[10]

Tau Gamma Delta conducts business and elects its national officers during its annual national meeting called a Boule.^[1] Its officers include the supreme basileus, supreme first anti-basileus, supreme second anti-basileus, supreme grammateus, supreme anti-grammateus, supreme epistaleus, supreme tamiochus, national graduate organizer, national keeper-of-pins, national Tauette director, national chaplain, and national historian.^[21][22]

In addition, it has regional directors for the Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western regions of the United States.^[23] Its chapter officers include supreme basileus, anti-basileus, secretary, recording secretary, treasurer, dean of pledges, parliamentarian, chaplain, and editor-in-chief.^[4][19]