Humble Beginnings
Launched as a business and professional organization Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on February 28, 1943, by sisters Elizabeth Garner and Violet T. Lewis at the Lewis College of Business in Detroit, Michigan. Lewis was the owner and president of the college and Garner was a teacher. The two founders recruited eleven members; these thirteen women are called the Sorority's 13 Original Pearls. Each teacher pledged to organize a chapter in their home city. Gamma Phi Delta strives to improve the economic, social, and political status of all women; to motivate the members to further their education/training and maintain a better relationship among women of all races and creeds and to be of greater service to the community, country and to each other. Since its founding, the sorority has expanded to 7 regions with both collegiate and graduate chapters across the United States.
The Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Incorporated National Headquarters is located on Detroit's famous West Grand Boulevard also known as "Motown Row." 2657 W. Grand Blvd Detroit Michigan, 48202. The City of Detroit designated the building as part of the West Grand Boulevard African American Arts and Business Historic District on July 24, 2018.
Our Mission
Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Incorporated mission is to improve the economic, social, and political status of all women; to encourage our members to further their education/vocational training; to maintain a better relationship among women of all races and creeds; and to be of greater service to the community, country, and to each other.
Our Purpose
Organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Violet T. Lewis
Elizabeth A. Garner
