Delta Gamma - University of Iowa

Four Extraordinary Delta Gammas Delta Gamma at the University of Iowa Fall 2022 INSIDE: Thank You for Attending Our '70s Reunion! p. 2 • Sisterhood Shining Brighter p. 3 (Continued on page 4) (Continued on page 4) (Continued on page 5) Ties to Tau W hen I took over as president of Tau's House Corporation Board in 2009, I turned to four extraordinary Delta Gamma alumnae for support. Louise Bekman Larew '49, Jackie Phillips Sangster '49, Margie Hahn Fletcher '52, and Ann Furnish Ford '61 became my mentors and, more importantly, my friends. I adore them all. I leaned on all of them for advice as they continued to serve on the House Corporation Board and/or attend any alumnae/member potluck or ceremony. They shared their collective wisdom with grace and humor. It is only because of the work of Ann, Louise, Jackie, and Margie that Tau continues to be the best Chapter at the University of Iowa. I would love for you to get to know a bit more about these wonderful women. Jackie, Margie, and Ann were available and eagerly agreed to be interviewed when I asked them if they would participate in this article (of course!). While Louise was unavailable for this newsletter, she had just as noteworthy of an impact on me and provided mentorship that will stick with me for years to come. In the Bonds, Jan Brodie Riley '76 House Corporation Co-President "As a woman soon to be 92, one might think that a decision made at the age of 18 could be folly—but I wouldn't trade my membership in Delta Gamma for anything," Jackie Phillips Sangster '49 said. "It gave me a small group to identify with on a large campus, and it gave me lifetime friends." Jackie gave the Tau Chapter house a try as a freshman, and the women she met continually made her feel at home—especially Marian Brown Crabb '46, who later became her pledge Not many people can say that they shared a bathroom and one telephone line with eight women, but Marjorie "Margie" Hahn Fletcher '52 can. Although the thought can sound daunting, Margie wouldn't change it for the world because, ultimately, the sorority experience gifted her a lifetime of memories. "There were certainly advantages of being in a sorority," Margie began. "Whether that be a meeting wonderful friends, participating in extracurricular activities, hosting Ann Furnish Ford '61 didn't have a place to fit in when she started at the University of Iowa, but that changed when she joined Delta Gamma. She recalls that, not only were the women charming, but they were also leaders in scholarship, which helped her to feel like part of the sisterhood. In 1890, tennis was the rage on campus. Changing attitudes about acceptable activities for women made sportswear popular for women, so girls could now play in a special tennis dress—though they were still corseted, of course! Delta Gamma, like many other literary societies and Greek groups on campus, had its own tennis court. Meanwhile, Tau's correspondent wrote to the Anchor in fall 1893: "The great center of attention this fall is the football team. The boys are doing some honest, hard work under Donnelly of Chicago. The girls are quite awake to the importance of the matter, and practice games are well attended." SISTERLY SUPPORT A Basis for Success What Delta Gamma Means to Jackie Phillips Sangster '49 Ann Furnish Ford '61 Treasures the Lifelong Friendships Delta Gamma Gave Her Grateful for the Sisterhood A Lifetime of Memories Margie Hahn Fletcher '52 Seeks Challenges and Embraces Opportunity Anchored in History An Early Tau Story (Continued on page 4)

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