Sigma Delta pi
Records, 1930–1982

Collection Information

Historical Sketch

Scope and Content Note

Series Contents

Cataloging Information

Processed by

Ellen Swain and
Paul Brockman
21 August 1991
Revised 22 April 2002
Updated 25 March 2004

Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269

www.indianahistory.org

COLLECTION INFORMATION

VOLUME OF COLLECTION:	1 manuscript box
COLLECTION DATES:	1930–1982
PROVENANCE:	Hazel Heathman, 7932 East 33, Indianapolis, Indiana 46226
RESTRICTIONS:	None
COPYRIGHT:
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS:	Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society.
ALTERNATE FORMATS:	None
RELATED HOLDINGS:	None
ACCESSION NUMBER:	1991.0646x
NOTES:

The Sigma Delta Pi Sorority was organized in 1906 by Versie Case Kramer. It was a professional educator's sorority at the Teacher's College of Indianapolis. As was a common higher education practice at the time, the college initially ruled that no student could be initiated before graduation and later tightened the ruling until no student could be definitely pledged before commencement. These decisions caused several years of debate and turmoil. However, in 1923 the sorority became a National Teacher's Organization not necessarily connected with any school. The Teacher's College removed its ban on sororities and a house was opened in 1924. Six years later, the Teacher's College of Indianapolis became part of Butler University.

Today, Sigma Delta Pi is composed of subordinate chapter units affiliated with the National Organization. Known as the Grand Chapter, the National Organization is made up of representatives from each chapter apportioned among the several chapters according to their respective membership. The sorority's main objectives include elevating the teaching profession, developing high ideals and a professional spirit among women teachers, securing better recognition of the work of women teachers, giving financial encouragement to deserving students, and aiding in the promotion of community efforts.

Source: Information in collection.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The collection, filling one manuscript box, consists primarily of issues of the Sigma Delta Pi bulletin The Link dating from 1930 to 1982. Also included in the collection is a Butler University bulletin (1930–31), two Teacher's College of Indianapolis booklets (1929–30), and information regarding the sorority's business ritual. A historical sketch and constitution are found at the beginning of the collection.

series CONTENTS

Series 1: History and Constitution, Business Ritual, and Teacher’s College of Indianapolis Booklets, 1929–39

CONTENTS	CONTAINER
History and Constitution of the Sigma Delta Pi Sorority	Box 1, Folder 1
Business Ritual	Box 1, Folder 2
The Teacher's College of Indianapolis, 1929–30	Box 1, Folder 3
The Teacher's College of Indianapolis, June 1930	Box 1, Folder 4

Series 2: Bulletins, 1930–82

CONTENTS	CONTAINER
Butler University Bulletin, 1930–31	Box 1, Folder 5
The Link, 1930–35	Box 1, Folder 6
The Link, 1936–38	Box 1, Folder 7
The Link, 1939–41	Box 1, Folder 8
The Link, 1942–44	Box 1, Folder 9
The Link, 1945–47	Box 1, Folder 10
The Link, 1948–50	Box 1, Folder 11
The Link, 1951–52	Box 1, Folder 12
The Link, 1953–54	Box 1, Folder 13
The Link, 1955–56	Box 1, Folder 14
The Link, 1957–58	Box 1, Folder 15
The Link, 1959	Box1, Folder 16
The Link, 1980–82	Box 1, Folder 17

CATALOGING INFORMATION

For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:

1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://157.91.92.2/

2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.

3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.

4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, M 0588).

5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.

Collection #

M 0588