National History

Alpha Delta Pi was founded on May 15, 1851 at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Georgia, making it the first secret society in the world for college women. (This is why ADPi is often referred to as the "First and Finest.") Wesleyan was also the first chartered college for women in the world, and women who attended it could be as young as fourteen or fifteen years old!

Its founders were Eugenia Tucker Fitzgerald (the first President), Octavia Andrew Rush, Mary Evans Glass, Ella Pierce Turner, Elizabeth Williams Mitchell, and Sophronia Woodruff Dews. By July 1, 1851 the membership had grown to thirteen.

The organization was originally called the Adelphean Society, named from the greek word for "sister." The sisterhood went national in 1904, and in 1905 the name of the Sorority was changed to Alpha Delta Phi. By 1906 the Sorority had added four new national chapters, and held a national convention! 1907 saw publication of the first issue of the Adelphean, and the Sorority joined the National Panhellenic Conference in 1909. In 1913 the organization was again renamed, this time to Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, to avoid confusion with Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.

Significant Dates in Alpha Delta Pi History

1851	Adelphean Society founded May 15th at Wesleyan Female College in Georgia
1904	On August 1st, the sisters decide to "go national"
1905	Beta Chapter created on March 25th at Salem College in North Carolina
1905	Name changed to Alpha Delta Phi on July 19th
1906	First convention held in Macon, Georgia, in December
1906	Nanaline King presents modern design of the Sorority pin at first convention
1907	First issue of The Adelphean published in March
1909	Joined the National Panhellenic Conference
1913	Name changed to Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, pin modified with new name
1919	Present design of the coat of arms accepted
1925	First executive office established in Ames, Iowa
1929	Beta Zeta chapter installed at the University of Toronto, Canada
1951	Centennial Convention held at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia
1955	Dedication of Memorial Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia
1979	Ronald McDonald House becomes the National Philanthropy
1983	Alpha Delta Pi Foundation, Inc. established
1990	Total Membership Education pilot program begins
1991	Total Membership Education Program begins for all chapters
1992	Alpha Delta Pi becomes sole Greek sponsor of the Ronald McDonald Houses
1997	National sorority becomes Alpha Delta Pi International Sorority
2001	Sesquicentennial Convention held in Atlanta, Georgia, celebrating our 150th Anniversary
2001	New lion's head logo adopted as official image of the Sorority