American University PANHELLENIC

“Sigma Delta Tau empowers each member to reach her fullest potential,” a line from our mission statement that I strive to work towards each and every day.

Sigma Delta Tau has become one of the most memorable parts of my college experience here at American University. I was welcomed and now am proud to be a sister. The sisters of the Gamma Delta chapter have been by my side through thick and thin and have never failed to support me. This chapter has allowed and fostered personal growth and provided me with memories that I will treasure for a lifetime. I am so thankful for my sisters that push me to the best version of myself, face my fears, conquer challenges and be their leader. 

We embed leadership, philanthropy, inclusivity, and scholarship into everything we do, enriching the environment where we create unforgettable memories and foster lifelong friendships. Every day, I am inspired by the women around me, who push themselves to be the best students, interns, volunteers, and leaders, while continuing to provide unconditional support to everyone in the chapter. The women, I proudly serve, have some of the biggest, most open hearts; they continue to fight for what they believe in and never fail to make me proud.  

Sigma Delta Tau was founded in 1917 by women who were excluded from the other sororities because of their religion, and to this day we strive to create an inclusive community for all. For the last 30 years, the Gamma Delta Chapter has created an organization tailored around individuality, engagement, connection, and community here at American University, and we continue to uphold these values within everything we do. 

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The members of Sigma Delta Tau want to welcome you. 

We hope to see you soon!

Barb Kaminska she/her/s

President of Sigma Delta Tau - Gamma Delta Chapter

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Individuality: Enable each member to be their authentic self and empower them to reach their fullest potential through leadership and personal skills for academic and professional success.

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Connection: Create a sense of belonging and meaningful relationships for sisters, not only in the sorority, but also within the community and world around them.

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Engagement: Participate in a lifetime experience which provides opportunities and a network of personal and professional support for every phase of a sister’s life.

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Community: Instill a sense of philanthropy and generosity in sisters and build purposeful partnerships to enhance the mission and goals of the Sorority.

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Sigma Delta Tau empowers each member to reach her fullest potential by enriching the experience of women with similar ideals, building lasting relationships, promoting civic responsibility and fostering personal growth. Being a Sig Delt means upholding our values of community, connection, individuality, and engagement every day of our lives.

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In 1917, at Cornell University, seven Jewish sisters gathered to create an all-inclusive sorority after being barred from Greek life due to their religion. Those women were our founders, Dora Bloom Turtletaub, Amy Apfel, Marian Gerber, Grace Srenco, Inez Ross, Regene Freund, and Lenore Rubinow - the DAMGIRLs. 

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Our sorority was founded on the principles of diversity, fraternity, democracy, humanity, hope, and acceptance. Today, our chapter at American University - founded in 1987 - continues to instill these values in the hearts of our members, while amalgamating these, among other convictions, with the addition of each new member.  

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Sigma Delta Tau has three national philanthropies and one local philanthropy.

• Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA): PCAA helps families identify the signs of child abuse and neglect through programs such as Healthy Families America®, bullying prevention and day-to-day prevention strategies. In the spring we hold a philanthropy event called Sig Delt Survivor, a field day with minute-to-win it games for the AU campus.

• Jewish Women International (JWI): JWI works to ensure that all women thrive in healthy relationships, control their financial futures, and realize the full potential of their personal strength. JWI has several programs such as Safe Smart Dating, the first national program on healthy relationships in college and the signs of abuse. Every fall we do Week of Service for JWI to give back to our community and we do Safe Smart Dating.

• Sigma Delta Tau Foundation: The Sigma Delta Tau Foundation is committed to empowering Sigma Delta Tau sisters to grow personally and professionally through annual scholarship opportunities.

• The Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Our sister Sabrina passed away due to post transplant lymphoma after having a heart transplant. We honor her and others with the same condition by participating in the Light the Night Walk every fall on the National Mall.

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“Diversity, equity and inclusion is something that Sigma Delta Tau holds highly. In 2020, our chapter moved our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion chair to an executive board position. The Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion brings in monthly speakers to further educate sisters on matters related to DEI, runs a DEI related book club and oversees a DEI committee. As a chapter, Sigma Delta Tau is actively working towards making meaningful change in our community.” 

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             - Anita Marien she/her/s

               Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

“When I first came to AU I wanted to be part of an inclusive community of loving, intelligent, kind people who would support me no matter what. When I met the sisters in Sig Delt I instantly found the community I was looking for, people who would be by my side for it all. Being a Sig Delt means being “the beSDT you” I’m so lucky I found a place where I am always celebrated for being myself!”

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             - Mary Katherine Cusack she/her/s

               Vice President of Recruitment

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“I think Sig Delt is incredibly unique because we value inclusion and individuality so deeply which meant a lot to me going through recruitment as well as the new member process. It was so reassuring to know that I didn't have to fit a certain mold to belong in this chapter and the members could be themselves. Our founders were rejected for their differences and I love that our chapter's values remain strong and prevalent and that every sister has the opportunity to be her authentic self.”

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             - Sylvia Hensley she/her/s

               Standards Chair

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“The most valuable thing I’ve learned from Sig Delt is leadership skills. Sig Delt has a lot of opportunities for leadership, and I’ve had the privilege of being involved in leadership in the chapter since I joined. I’ve gotten to hold a few different positions that have helped me from my leadership style, hone my organizational and logistic skills, and become a better team player.”

            - Talia Raisel she/her/s

              Administrative Vice President

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“I chose Sig Delt because it was the sorority where I felt the most welcomed. Everyone was super genuine and I knew Sig Delt was full of amazing members who would uplift me!

             - Mariola Conteras she/her/s

“I chose Sig Delt because there was a genuine atmosphere of love! The values of individuality and engagement resonated with me especially because I could see them at work in the minds of each sister. There was such a deep sisterhood that I was excited about and saw myself joining. I was looking to find my home at AU and something felt right about SDT!”

             - Morgan Goldberg she/her/s

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• President - Barbara Kaminska she/her/s 

       sdtpresidentgammadelta@gmail.com

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• Vice President of Recruitment - Mary Katherine Cusack she/her/s

       sdtrecruitmentgammadelta@gmail.com

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our values

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