[AGDAlum]

Our founders recalled these things--granted, they did so many years ago, but I think they'd be pleased with the way we have managed the legacy.

Jennie Titus Smith Morris wrote a lovely message at the Golden Anniversary in 1954 ("When I recall how a band of merry girls...") and alas, I don't have the complete text right here....But:

Marguerite Shepherd:
“I shall remember as one of the great sensations of my life the beautiful Initiation at the Athens Convention. I kept saying as the inspiring service proceeded, ‘Yes, Jennie wrote that; that was Georgia’s work; why, I thought out that myself. And here are girls from all over the Union, one with us in aspiration and purpose, repeating our words!’ Would any group of college girls today think they could successfully launch a new fraternity without a single party dress or dance? I don’t believe we thought we could, either. That’s why this great sisterhood of ours is such a wonder to us still.”

Estelle Shepard Beswick
“As a founder, I am impressed with the steadfastness with which our early ideas of democracy, of scholarship and of friendliness have been preserved in our organization.”

Grace Mosher Harter:
“…I read with amazement that the circulation of the Quarterly has increased to the seemingly incredible number of 6,000. This amazing growth brings to me a most gratifying sense of satisfaction in having played my small part as a Founder.”


Emily Helen Butterfield:
“The growth and strength that our fraternity has attained is so immeasurably above the founder’s expectation that I hesitate to express any wishes for the future lest they be too paltry. Perhaps the best I could wish for Alpha Gamma Delta is that each member may have a vigorous body, a keen brain and a clear appreciation of all things pure and right, with the will power and genius to make her ideals become real.”


--N