Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Delta Zeta at the University of Alabama

Photographed By Kai NeSmith, November 3, 2023

1. Delta Zeta at the University of Alabama Marker

Inscription. Delta Zeta at the
University of Alabama
Founded October 24, 1902, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Alpha Gamma Chapter Installed September 9, 1922
The sixth national sorority at the University of Alabama began in 1920 as local sorority Delta Lambda. The Sigma chapter at Louisiana State University, University of Alabama President George H. Denny, and Mary Burke, the University of Alabama's Dean of Women, sponsored the sorority for Delta Zeta installation. Julia Bishop Coleman, one of Delta Zeta's six founders, initiated eleven charter members including Alice Ansley, Mary Louise Ikerman, Gladys Hailler, Frances Pickens, Marion Bishop, Julia Corley, Louisa Wheeler, Mary Maude Bailey, Sara Vemsom, Mary Charles Armentrout, and Naomi Pool. Alpha Gamma has remained in continuous operation at the University of Alabama since 1922 and is the 14th oldest Delta Zeta chapter in operation.

Reverse Side
Delta Zeta at the
University of Alabama
Alpha Gamma Chapter Installed September 9, 1922
Within a year of its founding, alumnae of Alpha Gamma of Delta Zeta formed a corporation to finance the construction of a chapter house. The two-story white clapboard house opened in 1925 and served as the home to Alpha Gamma until 1961, when the chapter built a three-story

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white-columned brick structure. The current house at 900 Magnolia Drive opened in 2018 on the site of the 1961 house. The current house features a fireplace mantle from the first house and bricks from the second house. These visible, tangible reminders exemplify Delta Zeta's steadfast presence at the University of Alabama, the women who made it possible, and the enduring bonds of love forged in the light of the flame over a century of sisterhood.

Erected 2022 by Virginia Gilbert Loftin (1977), Margaret A. Purcell (1982), and the Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 33° 12.427′ N, 87° 32.895′ W. Marker is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa County. Marker is on Magnolia Drive, 0.1 miles north of Paul W Bryant Drive, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 Magnolia Drive, Tuscaloosa AL 35401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Alpha Delta Pi (within shouting distance of this marker); Zeta Tau Alpha (within shouting distance of this marker); Kappa Delta (about 300 feet away, measured

Photographed By Kai NeSmith, November 3, 2023

2. Delta Zeta at the University of Alabama Marker

Reverse side of the marker.

in a direct line); Alpha Gamma Delta at the University of Alabama (about 700 feet away); The President's Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Evergreen Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Autherine Lucy Foster (approx. 0.2 miles away); University of Alabama (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuscaloosa.

Delta Zeta, Alpha Gamma Chapter House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kai NeSmith, November 3, 2023

3. Delta Zeta, Alpha Gamma Chapter House

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2023, by Kai NeSmith of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2023, by Kai NeSmith of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.