Fort Worth Delta Gamma

Our Fort Worth alumnae history...

The following is taken from Fort Worth alumnae chapter's first scrapbook from 1937. The author is unknown and this text was all handwritten on an old faded piece of paper. The text is copied exactly from the scrapbook and any mistakes in spelling have not been changed as to keep with the original document.

History of the Fort Worth Delta Gamma Alumnae Association 1937-1944

"On October 4, 1937 eight Delta Gammas living in Fort Worth found each other and decided to form "The Fort Worth Delta Gamma Association". The name was so much larger than their tiny group that they were most anxious to add to their numbers. In the seven years after they were organized 36 women who wore the anchor of DG were affiliated with their group. Those who met at that first luncheon on October 4 were:

Jeanne Stevenson Senevey (Mrs. Felix), Mu

Francis Ledford Yates (Mrs. L.B.), Mu

Ruth Dahl Chisholm (Mrs. Roy D.), Alpha Theta

Marion Waugh Eschenbrenner (Mrs. John), Alpha Epsilon

Mary Louise Wendland Salmon (Mrs. J.R.), Alpha Upsilon

Evelyn Melton Smith (Mrs. R.M.), Alpha Upsilon

Lois Johnston, Alpha Iota

Lucille Coffey Pritchett ( Mrs. F. Ray), Alpha Iota

Although the group was small no more enthusiastic DGs could be found anywhere. They immediately set about raising funds to help the national project for the blind thru the help of Marion Eschenbrenner's husband who was an Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat Specialist they were able to establish a small fund for the Prevention and Cure of Blindness. During the first years this fund was maintained and it was through the efforts of Ludi Mae Sensabaugh Goode (Mrs. John V.), Alpha Upsilon that they were able to carry on that project. Since that time the fund was raised mainly through their "Piggy Bank".

Their nearest collegiate chapter was Alpha Upsilon at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and relations with that group were most pleasant and inspiring. During the first summer a large group from the SMU active chapter came to Fort Worth to help them rush. It was that first year that DG was about to colonize at the State University in Austin and this group felt that the girls they got from Fort Worth must be especially strong and outstanding. Because of the fact that DG had only one chapter in Texas the small group of alumnae in Fort Worth had a most difficult time rushing against old established fraternities at "State". However they were gratified that year to have four very worthwhile girls pledge DG at State.

World War II changed the personal of the group greatly. Husbands were transferred to other cities and entered various branches of the service. Many of the young married women stayed right here in Fort Worth while their husbands were overseas and they themselves were carrying on bravely with war jobs. Several of the DGs went into active wartime duty as Estella Knapp who was "now" Ensign Knapp. They also gained new members to the group because of the Fort Worth Army Air Field. Wives of the men stationed there affiliated with the group and added much in enthusiasm and interest. So of the 36 women who had at one time or another been affiliated with the group, 22 now lived in Fort Worth and were interested in the doings of Delta Gamma both locally and nationally."

Note: In 1943 the Fort Worth Delta Gammas worked supporting the military war effort by making afghans for military hospitals.

The first "Fort Worth Founders Day Banquet" listed in the old scrapbook is 1941 although we know they had earlier Founders Days . Founder member, Mrs. Ruth Chisolm was the host. The invitations were baby blue with engraved pink text with a bronze bow at top. The menu for the banquet was: Shrimp Cocktail, Soup de Jour, Melba Toast, Roast Young Pheasant, String Beans, Brown Rice, Chef Salad, Coconut Cream Cake and Demi-tasse. The program was as follows:

1941 Founders Day Program

Toast Mistress- Evelyn Mae Knickerbocker

A Call to Colors

The Bronze, Pink and Blue- Founder, Evelyn Mae Knickerbocker

Roll Call- Eloise Seidenglanz

The Bronze- Our Alumnae Chapter- Mineth Rowland

The Pink- Our Active Chapter- Francis Yates

The Blue- Our New Initiates-Gertrude Garrell

Song- "Anchored in Thee"

Alumnae Awards- Marth Farrell

Active Awards- Bettye King

Presentation of Scholarship Cup- Itasha Perkinson