About Alpha Delta Pi

The Creed of Alpha Delta Pi

I BELIEVE in Alpha Delta Pi.
I BELIEVE that my sorority is more than a ritual or a symbol; that it is a way of life.
I BELIEVE that the principles established by our founders in 1851 are enduring attributes, exemplifying the highest ideals of Christian womanhood.
I BELIEVE that our motto, "We Live for Each Other", expresses the true spirit of fraternity; and that by living this motto my life will be enriched by true friendships an by unselfish service to mankind.
I BELIEVE that the privilege of membership in Alpha Delta Pi brings the responsibility to do my best in whatever I undertake, always remembering that leadership requires confidence tempered with humility and courage blended with tolerance.
I BELIEVE that I must strive to become a well-balanced person by following the dictates of the four points symbolized by our diamond-shaped badge: first, strengthening my own character and personality; second, watching my attitudes toward my fellow-beings; third, recognizing the value of high educational standards; and fourth, developing faith and loyalty.
I BELIEVE that these four guide-posts, guarded by the stars and friendly hand clasped in the Adelphean bonds of fellowship, will lead me to achieve a rich and useful life.
--Caralee Strock Stanard

terms and symbols:

Colors: azure blue and white.
blue represents friendship, and white represents sincerity and truth.

Mascot: the lion, nicknamed Alphie!
The lion serves as a symbol of beauty and strength. It represents the strength of mind and strength of character of each sister in Alpha Delta Pi.

Flower: the Woodland Violet
The woodland violet is our official flower, however, due to its rarity, the African Violet is often used. These flowers are everlasting and very difficult to overcome.

Alpha Pin: The Alpha pin, worn by members prior to initiation, is a bar of gold with a lion above the letters "beta upsilon alpha," which stand for our open motto "We live for each other."

Badge: The badge of Alpha Delta Pi is gold with a black enamel center. The Greek letters, two stars, and clasped hands are the symbols on the badge. The badge is the outward, visible symbol of our lifetime loyalty to Alpha Delta Pi. The correct way to wear the badge is over the heart with no other pin (fraternity or honorary) placed above it. Only initiated members are allowed to wear the badge.

Coat of Arms: The original Coat of Arms was designed by Elizabeth Moseley Coles and Agnes Chapman. Symbolism from our ritual and our Alpha pin were combined in the Coat of Arms and the design originally had a background of violets. In 1919 the Convention body voted to make changes and the present design was accepted. Alpha members are not permitted to wear the sorority Coat of Arms in any form, or to have any articles bearing it. Only initiated members are entitled to this privilege.

Symbol: The diamond represents purity, and the four points represent the symmetry of a balanced life.

Official Scripture: The 15th Psalm from the King James Version of the Holy Bible is the official scripture of Alpha Delta Pi.

Philanthropy: Alpha Delta Pi's Philanthropy is the Ronald McDonald House. RMH is a "home-away-from-home" for the parents of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Often times a parent cannot afford to live in a hotel while their child is getting treatment for their illness, so Ronald McDonald Houses offers these parents a place to stay. Alpha Delta Pi contributes to our philanthropy with countless hours of volunteer work

A little about Alpha Delta Pi's national history...
Alpha Delta Pi holds the distinction of being the first secret society in the world for college women. We were founded on May 15, 1851, at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Georgia. The original name of the sorority was the "Adelphean Society." The word "adelphean" is derived from the Greek word meaning sister.
The Adelphean Society flourished throughout the years and in 1904 the members voted to become national and in 1905 changed their name to Alpha Delta Phi. In 1913 it was changed to Alpha Delta Pi because of continued confusion with a mens' fraternity of the same name.
The chapter at Wesleyan was called the Alpha chapter since it was established first. Within two years after nationalization, four new chapters were installed. The chapter roll has continued to grow since that time with the addition of new chapters. Today there are more than 130 chapters located throughout the United States and Canada.

Why Alpha Delta Pi?
Today, there are over 180,000 initiated members of the sorority worldwide and more than 130 collegiate chapters throughout the United States and Canada. As fraternal association becomes an increasingly integral part of the college experience, Alpha Delta Pi continues to expand to campuses across the country to provide young women the opportunity to affiliate. Alpha Delta Pi encourages members to contribute their talent and personality to enhance the sorority. At the same time, Alpha Delta Pi provides members with opportunities for leadership, academic enhancement, personal growth, and social activities within the framework of a mutually supportive sisterhood. Membership in Alpha Delta Pi is for a lifetime. Through the many alumnae associations in the United States and Canada, as well as the network of alumnae all over the world, members are able to enjoy sorority beyond college. Alpha Delta Pi is proud of a leadership heritage in the fraternity system, as exemplified by being a pioneer in the following areas:
• Establishing the first women's sorority.
• Instituting a shortened pre-initiation program, called Total Membership Education.
• Setting up a student grant fund, the Abigail Davis Fund, for the use of Alpha Delta Pi's own members.
• Celebration of its sesquicentennial.

FIRST AND FINEST
No other sorority in the world can claim our heritage as the oldest secret society for college women. Thus, ADPi became the mother of the entire sorority system. There is a special pride in belonging to something that has endured, that has proved it worth over and over again as more than a century has passed.

IDEALS BY WHICH WE LIVE
Ideals mark the kind of people with whom we are proud to be associated. LOYALTY to each other and God, HONESTY in all that we do, PURITY of heart and womanhood, STRENGTH of character and purpose, INTEGRITY as individuals and a chapter, FRIENDSHIP of sisterhood sealed by love, SERVICE to others. Each of these is a worthy attribute found in people of stature and attainment. Together, these elements are the character of Alpha Delta Pi.

PROGRESSIVE GROWTH
ADPi chapters are found in leading colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. Our Alumnae Associations have their latchstrings out in towns and cities all over the country. Our Diamond Badge opens the doors of friendship. We are known in the Panhellenic world for Leadership, Fairness, and Cooperation. We are known on each campus for our standards, good college citizenship, our healthy promotion and participation in worthwhile campus affairs.

POSITION AND LEADERSHIP
We were the first to create a dignified Friendship Week to precede initiation (known as Diamond Days) and the first to abolish any form of hazing. We were also the first to establish an Executive Office for efficient management of sorority's business affairs.

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POSITION AND LEADERSHIP We were the first to create a dignified Friendship Week to precede initiation (known as Diamond Days) and the first to abolish any form of hazing. We were also the first to establish an Executive Office for efficient management of sorority's business affairs.

POSITION AND LEADERSHIP
We were the first to create a dignified Friendship Week to precede initiation (known as Diamond Days) and the first to abolish any form of hazing. We were also the first to establish an Executive Office for efficient management of sorority's business affairs.