Delta Gamma - University of Iowa

mother. Though she couldn't live in the house as an undergraduate, many of the sisters she met became lifelong friends. She continued supporting the Chapter as an alumna through many years on the advisory board and House Corporation Board. In these roles, Jackie connected with active Chapter members, lent sisters of all ages her wisdom and support, and oversaw housing repairs in the summers. To date, Jackie's favorite Delta Gamma memories come from her time with the local alumnae Chapter in its active years. "Those women, including some not from Tau, became good friends and we enjoyed being together." She especially takes pride in the vision screening events the alumnae held for young children, which helped quite a few children identify and improve vision issues. "I guess you'd say I gave, and I got back in return," Jackie said of her Tau years. While sorority houses are run differently and membership is much larger today, her advice to today's Chapter remains the same as in years past: show loyalty to Delta Gamma and the active Chapter and show mutual respect among sisters. "The college years were the base, but all the years as an alumna built a structure of which I am proud." Jackie lives in Iowa City and can be reached at jimsangster13@q.com. Although the National Panhellenic Conference would not be founded until 1902, by 1898, the Iowa DGs were working hard to "feel acquainted with our sister Greeks, and each finds that the others are really quite human, and that we all have common interests in this bright, happy world called Hellas, and we can well afford to forget that we are rivals and remember that we are also neighbors and friends." Tau found a novel way to Do Good at their Saturday meetings. The University Hospital was brand new, and the sisters decided to help by hemming napkins for the facility, completing a dozen and a half during one meeting. "We recommend this to you as an excellent way to spend the afternoon. It is enjoyably spent if we feel that we are truly helping others." As the 1890s drew to a close, the Tau girls commented in the Anchora on their Reunion Day (Founder's Day had been established in 1887). They thanked those sister chapters who had sent letters and wished there had been more. At 11 p.m., the Chapter took a flashlight, stood on their porch, and "sang a DG song and shocked the neighbors by a vociferous round of cheers." A loyal friend shared with them this wish: "May all the Greek gods rise and bless Tau of Delta Gamma." In January 1898, Tau's Anchor report included this note, cryptic to modern ears: "We have had two initiations—the first time we introduced three candidates to His Honor, the goat. On October 23, he was unusually active, and not until five victims had been offered did his wrath subside." Did you know that at the first Officers Training School in 1953, it was stressed that no hazing of any kind was allowed— including no "goat" dinners? So ended the reign of His Honor, the goat!" "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." Ties to Tau page 4 (Continued from page 1) (Continued from page 1) A Basis for Success study sessions, or getting advice on future aspirations, the community that Delta Gamma provided focused on our development as young professionals, scholars, and women." Ten days after college graduation, Margie became a married woman. With her husband stationed in Fort Dix, New Jersey, Margie found ways to stay busy. Between her fulfilling roles as a wife and mother, she still attended Delta Gamma alumnae meetings in the Trenton area. Then, when her husband was station in Fort Devans, Massachusetts, Margie went to similar meetings in the Boston area. Embracing the next challenge is an attribute that is prevalent in Margie's life. When she and her family moved back to her hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she sought out her next pursuit—furthering her education. "I attended Coe College and earned my teaching degree. Once my children were older, I was a substitute teacher in middle schools and high schools," Margie enthused. "I survived 22 years of darling teenagers. That makes me one of the toughest cookies you'll ever meet!" In addition to substitute teaching, Margie was convinced by a fellow alumna to attend yet another alumnae group. "I was president three times, and then I was sent to the National Delta Gamma Convention at the Lake of the Ozarks in the 1970s," Margie said. At the convention, Margie was asked to lead the national fundraising drive, which she found to be an excellent way to use the journalism degree she earned as an undergraduate. Outside of her family, Margie dedicates much of her success to learning and volunteerism, of which DG plays a large part. She is proud to share this legacy with her daughters today. "My two daughters pledged with Alpha Upsilon Chapter at Southern Methodist University," Margie shared. "I recall jokingly telling my youngest that I couldn't attend her initiation ceremony. Committing to the bit, I hobbled around saying I had a sprained ankle. But of course, I went. Seeing my daughters revel in the joy of sisterhood is something I wouldn't miss for the world," Margie reminisced. "My daughter told me after the ceremony that she knew I would attend, even if they had to wheel me in a wheelchair. So much for little white lies!" To learn more about Margie's story, you can connect with her at margiefletch@msn.com. "Seeing my daughters revel in the joy of sisterhood is something I wouldn't miss for the world." Anchored in History A Lifetime of Memories (Continued from page 1)

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