Tau Gamma Delta is a national African American service sorority. It was established in 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, and has since established community-based and collegiate chapters across the United States.
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]
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 16 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]
Symbols
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]
Activities
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 individual members also volunteer at various organizations in their communities.[10]
Governamce
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]
Chapters
In the following incomplete list, active chapters are indicated in bold and inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.
