Written by The Center staff

Why did you join a sorority? Why have you stayed in? Sure there are fun parties and it’s a great way to meet people. It’s a great way to get involved and it can be the popular thing to do on some campuses. But if you’re a member of Tri Delta just to be in a sorority, just for appearances, just because everyone else is, just because you think you’re supposed to, it’s for the wrong reasons.

Sure, you may have joined for any number of reasons. But the reasons you joined are often times not the same reasons that you stay.  Staying in, staying committed, staying involved and staying a part of a sorority is a lot of work! There’s a lot that is expected of members. There are rules. There are standards and expectations. There are dues and requirements. You shouldn’t take part in all of these just because you feel like you have to. Take part in all that membership has to offer by loving Tri Delta and the opportunity that it brings to be a part of something that is so much larger than yourself.

In a month where, red and pink and hearts and arrows and love seem to be smothering all of us wherever we look, take a moment to reflect what it is you love about Tri Delta, what it is you love about your membership, what it is that makes you proud to be a member, what it is that you hold in your heart about your experience. Sisterhood is so unique and offers each of us an opportunity to make lifelong friends, learn lifelong lessons and embrace our membership…our lifelong membership.

Consider these 10 easy ways to fall in love with Tri Delta and then determine what it is that YOU love about your own personal experience:

1. Tri Delta was founded in 1888. This was a time when women didn’t have the right to vote, they weren’t completely accepted in the college environment by their male peers, it was considered a luxury to have a telephone in your house and most people traveled by horse and buggy.
2. Every Tri Delta has participated in the same Initiation Ceremony. During this Ritual, you made a commitment and it is a big one. It’s a commitment to the organization, to your sisters and to yourself. Ask the vice president of chapter development for your chapter if you can check out a ritual book to re-read the commitments you have made. Think about what that means to you and ways that you can fulfill this promise.
3. With over 130 collegiate chapters across North America, Tri Delta’s vast membership creates opportunities to connect with sisters around the world. It is likely you will meet a Tri Delta from another chapter or maybe someone from your chapter who graduated years ahead of you. This could be while you are networking for jobs, traveling or doing your day-to-day activities.
4. As a member of Tri Delta, you also share a common bond with some very notable women. Some of these women include Katie Couric, Elizabeth Dole, Leeza Gibbons, Deborah Norville and Hoda Kotb. Tri Delta has recognized these women and many others with the Women of Achievement Award presented every other year at Convention.
5. The first issue of The Trident, the official Tri Delta magazine, came out on November 25, 1891 and we were the first women’s fraternity to publish a magazine so soon after its founding. While it may look different and the stories have changed, The Trident still exhibits the values and traditions that our founders had for it over 120 years ago.
6. The dolphin, while not one of the original symbols, has been adopted as a Tri Delta symbol. The dolphin is said to symbolize positivity by the ancient Greeks. It represents rebirth, friendship and leadership. The dolphin is symbolic of clear skies and smooth sailing, with significance to fraternity leaders.
7. Tri Delta has a very special relationship with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In 2007, we committed to raise 10 million dollars in 10 years. We did just that in 4 years! Our new goal to raise 15 million in 5 years is well underway and members continue this unbelievable commitment.
8. In 1888, Tri Delta founder, Sarah Ida Shaw said,  “Let us found a society that shall be kind alike to all and think more of a girl’s inner self and character than of her personal appearance.” Little did she know that her words would be seen through fruition, when in 2008 Tri Delta officially launched the Reflections: Body Image Program, the first research based, peer led, body image awareness program designed for sorority women.
9. Tri Delta maintains a central office in Arlington, Texas. The Tri Delta Executive Office is staffed by over 40 employees working daily with the best interest of the Fraternity in mind, propelling the organization in a progressive direction while staying true to our timeless values. They are working to support members and provide the best membership experience to collegians and alumnae alike. The facility is complete with a museum containing various historical items, publications and even the badge belonging to founder, Sarah Ida Shaw.
10. The Stars & Crescent Badge, the official emblem of membership was designed by founders, Sarah Ida Shaw and Eleanor Dorcus Pond in 1888. Upon the creation of the design, members could customize the design and order from various jewelers; so there exists many historical badges adorning pearl, diamonds, opals and various other gems. It wasn’t until 1938, that the Fraternity limited the jewel to be used in the stars on the Stars & Crescent Badge to be the pearl.