The National Fraternity of Alpha Xi Delta was founded at Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois on April 17, 1893.  Because many of the societies that tried to organize there had failed, the 10 founding women kept it a secret until their plans were finalized.  The men of the Sigma Nu Fraternity helped the young women organize thier ideas.  The quote, "The pen is mightier than the sword" inspired the badge, which was made to look like a quill pen.  They chose dark and light blue as their colors in case they decided to affiliate with Kappa Kappa Gamma. The pink rose was chosen as the flower to compliment the white rose of Sigma Nu. In 1902, the current members decided to turn the small local sorority into a national fraternity.  A group of enthusiastic girls from Iowa Wesleyan became the Beta Chapter.  With thier addition the fraternity added gold to thier colors.  Today, there are over one hundred chapters at colleges all across the United States.

The Founders of Alpha Xi Delta

Cora Bollinger Block -- She served as Alpha Xi Delta's first President and Grand President. Alice Bartlett Bruner -- She was an accomplished musician and played an important role in establishing the Beta Epsilon chapter at Monmouth College. Almira Lowry Cheney -- She became a Universalist minister and was a pioneer in religious education. Frances Elizabeth Cheney -- She was a talented writer who wrote many of the fraternity's first songs. Bertha Cook Evans -- She was a fraternity house director and an administrator of a home for the elderly. Two of her daughters became Alpha Xi Deltas. Eliza Drake Curtis Everton -- She became a Universalist pastor and was an executive director of a chapter of the Red Cross during World War I. Julia Maude Foster -- She was on the committee that drafted the fraternity's first constitution. Lucy W. Gilmer -- She was Alpha Xi Delta's first Vice President as well as a teacher and a nurse. Harriet Luella McCollum -- She became a nationally known lecturer and author. Lewie Strong Taylor -- She designed the fraternity's badge, The Quill.

The Bonds of Sisterhood book was the source of the information and the photo.