The Kappa Delta National Sorority was founded by four young women at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood College) in Farmville, Virginia, on October 23, 1897. On that day, Lenora Ashmore, Mary Sommerville Sparks Hendrick, Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson, and Sara Turner White solidified the ties of friendship with the birth of Kappa Delta. Their original ideals of friendship, fellowship, and sisterly love have remained constant and strong for more than 100 years, and their sisterhood has today grown into an association of over 200 chartered chapters and over 175,000 initiated sisters nationwide. Their original ideals are reflected in the Kappa Delta open motto, Ta Kala Diokomen, meaning "Let us strive for that which is honorable, beautiful, and highest."

As of January 2004, Kappa Delta has 206 chartered chapters. In addition, Kappa Delta has 487 chartered alumnae associations, the most of any NPC group. With active chapter sizes ranging from 40 to 200, membership has grown to approximately 10,000 collegiate members and over 180,000 alumnae.

OUR FOUNDERS:

Lenora Ashmore Blackiston was unconventional. She was a dreamer and an idealist filled with enthusiasm for new ideas. Nicknamed "Nora," she was a writer and a poet, able to put her thoughts into action. She was the one who first suggested the idea of forming a sorority, but was unable to put her lasting personal marks on Kappa Delta's beginnings because, after Christmas holiday, she transferred to Randolph-Macon Women's College.

Quiet and extremely intelligent, Julia Gardiner Tyler Wilson came from a distinguished and respected family; her grandfather was John Tyler, former U.S. president, and her father was the president of the College of William and Mary. She was characterized as capable, dependable and possessing considerable artistic talent. She illustrated most of the school's first yearbook and designed the Kappa Delta badge. After helping to found the sorority, Julia spent another year at State Female Normal before transferring to Dana Hall, a preparatory school for Wellesley College where she earned her AB degree in 1904. She joined her founding sister Sara at Kappa Delta's 50th anniversary celebration at the 1947 convention.

Daughter of a Virginia senator, Sara Turner White was gracious and friendly, but known as being a bit more straight-laced than most students. She enjoyed her friends and social activities more than she did her studies. Sara did not return to college after that first year, but remained steadfastly involved with Kappa Delta throughout her long life.

Mary Sommerville Sparks Hendrick was much loved and respected by all students at State Female Normal School. She was known for her fine character and gentle understanding. Mary had concern for others, perhaps because, at 25, she was more mature than the younger students. She was a Bible class leader. Mary stayed on and helped the fledging sorority through its early years.