Sigma Delta Tau - AB Chapter

Sigma Delta Tau
Alpha Beta Chapter
14 Fraternity Circle
Kingston, RI 02881
(401)783-7879

Founding

On March 25, 1917, seven young women who exemplified self-confidence and the willingness to take a chance, founded a new sorority at Cornell University. The name chosen, Sigma Delta Phi, was soon changed to Sigma Delta Tau when the women discovered the letters belonged to another Greek organization. Most of the seven had experienced subtle but very real discrimination practiced against religious minorities by many Greek organizations at the time. In response to the closed doors, and as a way to meet their own social and housing needs, these young women established a sorority which would respect the individuality of its members. The personal growth and social development of each individual was the basis upon which the new organization would be built.
On June 16, 1917, the seven founders and their Ritualist were welcomed by Cornell Administrators and faculty and representatives of the seven National sororities on campus - Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Kappa Delta as their honored guests of honor at the Installation Banquet of Alpha Chapter of Sigma Delta Tau. Pledges Frances Bayard and Frances Brock were also present for the banquet.

The Seven Founders

Dora Bloom Turtletaub
Dora Bloom was "the leader." She was the first chapter president and was calm and placid throughout the hectic first year of Sigma Delta Tau's life. Dora married John Turtletaub and at the time of her death in March 1970, lived in West Orange, New Jersey. She was a community-minded woman, an extensive world traveler and a proud mother and grandmother. Dora served as President of the Theresa Grotta Home for many years and was Secretary of the Conference of Jewish Women's Organizations.

Amy Apfel Tishman
Amy Apfel was the "personality-plus coed." She married Alexander Tishman and made New York City her home for many years. Amy was a member of many worthy charity organizations and a devoted mother and grandmother. Upon her death in 1982, the Tishman family bequeathed to the Sigma Delta Tau Foundation a scholarship in Amy's name to be awarded to deserving members of the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Delta Tau.

Marian Gerber Greenberg
Marian Gerber was considered "the brain" and was more interested in her studies than campus activities. She was graduated Phi Beta Kappa with honors in History. Marian married David B. Greenberg and tehy co-authored two books on travel. What to Buy in Europe and What to Buy in South America. Marian earned international recognition for her volunteer work as the first America Chariman of Hadassah's Youth Aliyah. Marian taught courses at the University of Massachusetts in the Judaic Studies Department. She passed away in 1987.

Grace Srenco Grossman
Grace Srenco was the "campus queen." Grace was a freshman, assigned to a dormitory with a sophomore roommate. This roommate was Dora Bloom. Grace said "This chance meeting led to many happy events in my life: the founding of Sigma Delta Tau and my marriage to a Philadelphia lawyer." She helped found the Beta chapter and met her future husband, J. Grossman, at their installation banquet. Grace devoted much of her spare time to the American Red Cross and to her hobby, painting. Grace has two sons and a daughter Nancy, who joined SDT at the University of Pennsylvania. Grace died in 1982.