House Web Page: http://www.kappadeltaomegachi.org
National Web Page:
http://www.kappadelta.org
E-mail: ejb52@cornell.edu
Chapter Name: Omega Chi Chapter
National Founding/Date: Longwood College - 10/23/1897
Cornell Founding: 05/05/1917
Flower: White Rose
Colors: Oliove Green & Pearl White
Philanthropy: Nautilus Shell
Cornell Chapter of
Kappa Delta
Cornell University
109 Triphammer Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Kappa Delta was founded on October 23, 1897 at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia by Lenora Ashmore, Mary Sommerville Sparks, Sara Turner, and Julia Gardiner Tyler. The thought that neatly one-hundred years ago, four young women could just sit down and create a sisterhood as enduring as Kappa Delta almost defies understanding. But that is exactly what they did. Now, Kappa delta is an organization of approximately 140,000 women, over 190 chartered chapters, and with more than 465 chartered alumni associations nationwide.
Kappa Delta's colors are olive green and pearl white. The flowed is the white rose and the jewels are emeralds, diamonds and pearls. Kappa Delta's symbols are a nautilus shell, a dagger, teddy bears and katydids.
Elna Johnson, Class of 1919, a Kappa Delta of ETA Chapter at Hunter College entered Cornell University in the fall of 1916. She roomed in Sage College where she interested a group of her friends in forming a local chapter of Kappa Delta. The Omega Chi Chapter of Kappa Delta received its charter in the spring of 1917, becoming the 21st chapter in the national sorority. In 1928, Kappa Delta moved into its first house and current residence at 109 Triphammer Rd. KD is one of three Cornell sororities that still own their original properties.
The Omega Chi Chapter of Kappa Delta left Cornell's campus on October 21, 1969 when the entire house deactivated in protest of KD national's refusal to allow Jewish sisters as members. The house was reinstated in May of 1975 after a change in Kappa Delta policy.
Today, the Omega Chi Chapter of Kappa Delta is thriving at Cornell. We are an organization of over 100 diverse, intelligent, talented and strong women. We know that our chapter has helped Kappa Delta become something far beyond what even the Founders dreamed.
