History

“Hers was a dream of hands clasped in lifelong friendship, of a sisterhood of shared ideals, of woodland violets, of blue and white ribands proudly proclaiming ‘We Live for Each Other.’ That dream has had a destiny spanning scores of years that will know no end.”
                                    --Miss Maxine Blake, former Grand President Emeritus

The Beginning

          Eugenia Tucker was just sixteen years old when she left her family home in Laurens County, Georgia, to enter Wesleyan College. Before the end of her first year she would establish the first sorority in the world. When Eugenia Tucker decided to form a society, her dearest and most admired friends were asked to join her. She listed them in her journal as: Ella Pierce, Octavia Andrew, Bettie Williams, Sophronia Woodruff, and Mary A. Evans.

On May 15, 1851, at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Georgia, The Adelphean Society was born. The Adelphean Society flourished, and in 1904 the members voted to become a national organization. In 1905 the name was changed to Alpha Delta Phi, but because of continued confusion with a mens' fraternity of the same name, the name was changed once again to Alpha Delta Pi in 1913.

The qualifications for membership have remained unchanged through the years: scholarship, high principles of behavior, and true friendships. The basic principles and ritual are also much the same as those that our founders developed. To date, Alpha Delta Pi has initiated more than 182,500 women, many of whom are actively involved in one of our over 130 collegiate chapters or 150 alumnae associations throughout the United States and Canada.

On May 15, 2001, Alpha Delta Pi became the first sorority in the world to turn 150 years old. This historic event was celebrated locally by all chapters, as well as at a 150th Anniversary Convention held in downtown Atlanta.

Alpha Delta Pi at the University of Pittsburgh

The Alpha Iota Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority at the University of Pittsburgh was colonized on February 20, 1920. Alpha Iota originally began as the Sorosis Club on October 15, 1916. Sorosis is greek for sisterhood. The founder of the Sorosis Club, Louise Hetherington, began the club in response to religious pressure. The sororities on campus at the time were Protestant and would not admit Catholic women.The Sorosis Club was recognized by the University Senate and the faculty at the time, and its members participated in campus activities.

In 1918, the Sorosis Club decided to affiliate with a national sorority. Louise Hetherington talked to alumnae groups in the area. She was given the name of Mrs. Smith who, with Ethyl Taylor from Boston, suggested Alpha Delta Pi.

At that time, Alpha Delta Pi had inspectors who would visit a prospective site and either approve or disapprove it. Before the Sorosis Club could have an inspection, it needed recognition from the University Senate and the Dean of Women. The club petitioned Dean Amos, the Dean of Women at the time. Erma Tapp for Alpha Delta Pi conducted the inspection, and on February 20, 1920, the Sorosis Club became the Alpha Iota Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi. Miss Hetherington had already graduated from Pitt, so she returned and was initiated into Alpha Delta Pi.

The Alpha Iota Chapter went through a period of struggling, and the chapter was closed by the national level of Alpha Delta Pi. Miss Hetherington and other alumnae continued to meet and plan for the opening of Alpha Iota again. These women planned a tea which resulted in the pledging of 18 new women, and the chapter was opened again.

After the initiation of these women, the chapter wanted a house. With the help of Louise Hetherington, they bought a house on Bigelow Boulevard, which was first occupied by Delta Delta Delta. The house had eight bedrooms and housed fourteen women. They hired Mrs. Montgomery as their house mother.

In 1960, the University bought the Alpha Delta Pi house, which is the current location of the Holiday Inn Express, and Alpha Iota moved to its current location on the tenth floor of Amos Hall. The sororities currently located in Amos Hall drew numbers to decide on which floor they would reside. Alpha Iota had first choice and asked for the penthouse. The original elevator in Amos Hall said PH, not 10. Mrs. Montgomery lived in the suite until the late 1960s, since all sororities were required to keep their housemothers. After her retirement, Mrs. "Monty" was initiated into Alpha Delta Pi.

In 2000, Alpha Iota celebrated its 80th anniversary.