Founders

Ethel Evelyn Brown Distin was born in Euclid, New York in 1883. Ethel attended Euclid Free School and Baldwinsville Academy. Ethel was the second President of the Alpha Chapter from 1905-1906. After graduation, Ethel taught history and English at Saranac Lake, New York and Glen Clove, Long Island. Her sisters described her as loyal, kind, charming and strong. Ethel Brown Distin entered Chapter Grand on February 21, 1959, at the age of 76.

Flora Knight Mayer was born in Sonora, New York in 1881. In September 1902, Flora enrolled at Syracuse University for a full musical course. During her sophomore year, she became acquainted with Edith MacConnell and Georgia Dickover. Flora was actively involved in Fraternity activities. Although she held no particular office, except that of chapter pianist, she served on several important committees. Flora’s music helped to strengthen the bond of the sisterhood. She was described by her sisters as gracious and quiet. Flora Knight Mayer entered Chapter Grand March 3, 1959, at the age of 78.

Georgia was born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1884. Before entering Syracuse University, Georgia attended Wyoming Seminary. At the close of her freshman year in college, she became the third Founder of Alpha Gamma Delta. Along with Edith MacConnell Hickok, she worked faithfully in compiling our Ritual. She was on the first committee of the Constitution. As President of Alpha Chapter, Georgia had the honor of presiding over the First National Convention of the Fraternity in May 1907 at the Alpha Chapter house in Syracuse, New York. After graduation, Georgia taught English and history at Wilkes-Barre High School. Georgia served as Historian of the Fraternity for 18 years. Georgia was also a wearer of the Circle of Epsilon Pi. Her sisters described her as quiet and diligent. Georgia Dickover entered Chapter Grand on October 3, 1965, at the age of 81.

Estelle was born in Forestville, New York in 1882. She attended Fredonia Normal School before entering Syracuse University in 1903 at the age of 21. Estelle was the first Founder to respond excitedly to the idea of starting a new Fraternity at Syracuse. Without her forward thinking, the idea of Alpha Gamma Delta could have been lost. When others were perplexed and discouraged, Estelle often made them laugh and solved their problems. Estelle served as the first extension chairman. She is the co-author of "The Alpha Gamma Delta Girl" with Emily Helen Butterfield. Estelle graduated in 1908 with Phi Beta Kappa, and in the fall of 1909 became the first editor of the Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly. Her sisters described her as kind, light-hearted, funny. Estelle Shepard Beswick entered Chapter Grand on January 9, 1944, at the age of 62.

Emily was born near Detroit, Michigan in 1884. Before entering college, Emily studied with her father in the application of heraldic principles to design. In her freshman year, she sold some exquisite work of this kind. Emily enrolled in the architecture program at Syracuse University in 1903. In the spring of 1906, she completed her design of the Alpha Gamma Delta Armorial Bearings. Emily was the architect of the Alpha Gamma Delta Summer Camp Lodges and the Alpha Chapter and Chi Chapter houses. Emily also served seven years as the Editor of the Quarterly. In 1989, Emily was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, recognizing her work as the first woman architect in Michigan. Emily was a wearer of the Circle of Epsilon Pi. Emily Helen Butterfield entered Chapter Grand March 22, 1958, at the age of 74.

Edith MacConnell Hickok was born in Hartford, Pennsylvania in 1883. Edith attended school at Harford and Wilkes-Barre. While a freshman at Syracuse University in April 1904, Edith suffered an ice injury that required her to spend the year of Alpha Gamma Delta’s founding in a hospital. However, at her home in the fall she and Georgia Dickover wrote the beginning of the Initiation Ritual and two of the chapter’s first songs, "Autumn Tints" and the "Initiation Song.” Edith was the mother of the first Alpha Gamma Delta legacy. Edith MacConnell Hickok entered Chapter Grand on July 1, 1973, at the age of 90.

Georgia was born in Wolcott, New York in 1888. In college, Georgia and her roommate Grace Mosher Harter were the most loyal of friends. In the development of our Ritual, Georgia wrote the part concerning Gamma. At different times she was recording Secretary and Vice President of Alpha Chapter. From 1909-1911 Georgia served as the first business manager of the Quarterly. After graduating cum laude, Georgia taught at Dolgeville and Angolo, New York and then at Chatham Episcopal in Institute Chatham, Virginia. Her sisters described her as loyal and “quick in thought.” Georgia entered Chapter Grand August 17, 1981, at the age of 93.

Grace R. Mosher Harter was born in Parish, New York in 1883. In the early days of Alpha Gamma Delta, Grace's energetic personality brought her into the Fraternity. She served as Vice President and also helped with the installation of Gamma Chapter-Wesleyan University. Grace, also known as Midge, had the reputation of being a gracious hostess. In fact, Grace seldom went home without her sisters. Through the years, no home was thought to be more hospitable to Alpha Gamma Deltas, and no hostess more thoughtful, generous or cordial, than Grace. Grace's daughter, Margaret Harter Sanders, and granddaughter, Susan Dee Sanders, were initiated into the Alpha Chapter at the 1964 Convention. Grace Mosher Harter entered Chapter Grand on July 25, 1978, at the age of 95.

Mary was born at Walden, New York in 1884. During her freshman year at Syracuse, her friendship with Estelle and Marguerite led her to join in the Fraternity’s founding. In the winter of 1906, she carried on the communication, which resulted in the installation of Gamma Chapter-Wesleyan University. Mary was President in 1909 and presided over the Installation of Zeta Chapter-Ohio University. In October 1909, Mary became a missionary under the board of the Methodist Church to Concepcion College, Concepcion, Chile, teaching there and in Santiago, Chile for 13 years. She cared for several of the young women in South America, and eventually adopted a child as her daughter. After returning to the United States, Mary invested her time working with the blind. Her sisters described her as compassionate and service-oriented. Mary Louise Snider entered Chapter Grand on June 9, 1960, at the age of 76.

Jennie was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1883. She was inspired to become a Founder of Alpha Gamma Delta by Dr. Coddington’s interest and belief of the need for more women’s fraternities. Jennie was one of only two juniors in the founding group. She served as the first President of the Alpha Chapter at the age of 21. She is the author of the songs "Friendship" and "To Thee" and wrote a considerable part of the Ritual. Jennie wore the first Badge and treasured it always. Jennie was Grand President from May 1907, until the third National Convention, in May 1911. Her sisters described her as a leader, visionary and problem solver. She entered Chapter Grand on May 30, 1958, at the age of 75.