DELTA PHI EPSILON
Esse Quam Videri
"Delta Phi Epsilon was formed for the purpose of promoting good fellowship among sorority women ...to help... in acquiring knowledge, appreciation, discriminating judgment, and a true feeling of sisterly love, through the interaction of sympathetic and friendly natures."
--Founders, 1917
INTERNATIONAL HISTORY OF DELTA PHI EPSILON
On March 17, 1917, five young law students at New York University Law School took a pledge of sisterhood and loyalty, thus founding the Alpha Chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon, the first non-sectarian social sorority, and the only sorority founded at a professional school. These five women, Minna Goldsmith Mahler, Eva Effron Robin, Ida Bienstock Landau, Sylvia Steireman Cohn, and Dorothy Cohen Schwartzman saw Delta Phi Epsilon as a society to "promote good fellowship among the women students among various colleges among the country... to create a secret society composed of these women based upon their good moral character, regardless of nationality or creed... to have distinct chapters at various colleges."
Each year on March 17, chapters nationwide celebrate Founder's Day to honor each of these women for the establishment of our sisterhood and the ideals and purposes which inspired them to. Delta Phi Epsilon has expanded greatly since the founding and there are currently more than 25,000 members with chapters in the United States and Canada. Delta Phi Epsilon has continued to strive for a distinguished reputation in scholarship, service, and leadership and works hard to assure members continuous development and achievement in the collegiate community. Sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon embrace the motto created by their founders, "To be rather than seem to be" and continue to uphold the traditions and legacies of those before them..
HISTORY OF DELTA EPSILON CHAPTER AT DREXEL UNIVERSITY
In January of 2003, the International Headquarters of Delta Phi Epsilon came to Drexel University to invite non-Greek women on campus to take advantage of a new sorority experience. On January 26, 2003, 32 bids were extended to the women who would become the initial founders of the Delta Phi Epsilon, Delta Epsilon Chapter at Drexel University. This was the beginning of our journey into sisterhood.
We have made great strides as a sisterhood and as individuals since January 2003. The bonds we share have become stronger and new ones are made everyday. The possibilities have become limitless as to what we have we can accomplish together. Living out our motto Esse Quam Videri or To be rather than to seem to be we are the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon at Drexel University. We are very proud of our accomplishments and are excited to have officially completed the journey to sisterhood. It has been a period of growth as a group and as individuals. Our members have all learned so much working together and contributing to our campus and community. We have truly formed a home away from home, made lifelong friends and can now call one another sisters. We look forward to our future endeavors as sisters of the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon.
