Chapter History

First there was the Chicago Alliance, founded in 1897. One of the original founding four members of Delta Delta Delta, Dr. Elizabeth Dorcas Pond Mann formed this alliance, one of the first national alumnae chapters. Dr. Mann, a woman pioneer in the field of medicine, joined with other professional women to continue the development of Tri-Delta ideals. These traditions remain active today in the Chicago Loop Group Alumnae Chapter. —Loop group website

Our Alumnae Chapter, Chicago SW Suburban, was founded in 1928 by Eleanor “Red” Joern and Florence May “Flo May” Dixon. They founded our alumnae chapter because they had attended West Suburban, Oak Park area, and thought the members were too old. They were in their 20’s at the time and stayed active in our chapter until their deaths, well into their 80’s or more. They had been pledge sisters at Illinois together and were very close friends despite such differences in their personalities. Red was a little firecracker and Flo May was the reserved one.  But they complimented each other beautifully.  Both their “married” families were in the similar industries and the Joern family built many homes in La Grange Park and La Grange. Sometimes listings mention “Joern built home” which is considered high quality. The Dixon family is in real estate and still owns properties in  downtown Western Springs.

Some of our current alumnae members remember Red and Flo May and have some interesting stories to tell.

Today, we are a group of women, of all ages, who share a love and devotion to Tri Delta and her purpose.  We meet regularly for a little business, but mostly to socialize.  Many of our members have been in our chapter for years and we always welcome new Deltas.  After a Delta attends a few meetings, she will soon learn why many of us have been members of our alumnae chapter.  Our members truly steadfastly love one another and uphold the purpose and ideals of our sorority and of a Panhellenic woman.